A Bee's Hero

I'm at my studio.  For the first time in 2 weeks.  I was in boston for 6 days, new york for 2, and taos for another 2....so that's a good excuse for absenteeism.
But I am not painting.   Not yet.

A few minutes ago I wandered out into the gallery next to my studio and I saw on the window ledge what I at first thought was an art installation.  A dozen dead bees.  Each one in a different dramatic death pose.  Some were in groups and pairs...and some died alone, but all were dead.

All but one.  


But his death was not far off.  The lone survivor of a the famine that took both his parents and all ten on his brothers and sisters, he buzzed and bumped along hopelessly yet desperately.  Desperately he fought the hunger and thirst that had taken his family.  He kept his bumble bee eyes set on the Albuquerque horizon outside the window.  The window so innocently installed so long ago.  I knew what I must do!  I must save this heroic bee!!

I used my human hands and my miraculous opposable thumb to twist open the locking mechanism on the window.  I used the brute strength of my soft, girly forearms to push open the top of the window, creating a gap in the window large enough for 10 bees to fly thru....all holding hands.

But alas there was just one bee.  And his story must be told!

I slammed shut the window apologizing to my helpless yet venomous friend, "Hang on little guy!  I gotta get this on tape!"

I ran to my studio as my legs would carry me (but not too fast because these floors are slippery and I didn't want to fall).  I grabbed my Flip.  "Out Of Batteries!" I moaned before dropping to my knees and staring up at the ceiling while shaking my fists at the fluorescent lights, "WHY!!?!?!?!"

BUT WAIT.  Didn't I just by batteries yesterday?!  Aren't they in that bag in the back seat of my car?
YES!
I ran down the hall, down the stairs, thru the other hall and nearly knocked over two hipsters in my haste to get out the door and run to the street, unlock my car, dive in the back seat and....YES! Batteries!

The video begins here.   But I won't spoil the ending.  But just know that TODAY....if i did nothing else (and it's certainly looking like that my be the case)... I saved the life of a heroic bee.  Which makes me...A Bee's Hero.