We found this wonderful little place that serves amazing cakes and snacks. My husband and I were sensible (as befits our age) and shared a cheese sandwich. Our son and grandson ordered a “cake platter” – six pieces of creamy, spongey, fruity creations of cake. I can’t offer a photo because before I looked twice it was half gone. But as soon as they slowed down their fork movements, the yellowjacket marauders arrived. One wasp was the scout, he disappeared to fetch his friends, and any peace was gone.

Now we are relatively laid-back and we tried to ignore the little buggers without actually biting into them. Then one of them settled on my forearm, without me noticing, and — stung me! I nearly decapitated my son with the knife I was holding, the pain was so surprising and excruciating. I’ve never been stung by a wasp before and was amazed how much it hurts. I immediately heat treated the sting and the pain subsided (it kept flaring up over the next three, four days).

It is, in fact, illegal in Germany to kill a single wass in Germany (unless you’re allergic). You can be fined up to € 65,000. It was an impulse, and self-defense. Also, my grandson is allergic. So I think we’re good.

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge: Macro in August

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