I Could Have Had a Very Happy Life with That Bee

Jun
29

So I was flat out on the stone pavement in front of this old church on top of a hill in Harper’s Ferry this weekend, taking pictures up at the 1830s architecture.
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Did you not know I was in Harper’s Ferry? Do you not get the Chickens in the Road newsletter? Because the rest of the story of my trip to the Shenandoah Valley was in the June issue, which went out yesterday. (Sign up and don’t miss the next one! Be sure to click the mailing list box when you register.)

Anyway, so you get to this church by climbing a very steep and uneven set of old stone steps that you can glimpse just the first section of from this view through these buildings across the street.
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No wonder I had to lay down when I got up there.

Actually, I just wanted to take photos of the church. Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Harper’s Ferry is a beautiful building with lovely views over the rooftops and river.
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I bet people get married here. Wouldn’t this make a great spot for an intimate wedding?
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When I was finally finished admiring the church, I came down to the lane, which wasn’t all the way down the steps. 52 was already finished with the church because he wasn’t stretched out on the pavement taking pictures and he was getting ahead of me.

I went after him and then–
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I came upon this field of clover and I had to stop and take a few pictures.

Then I saw it.
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There was a bee.
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Frolicking amidst the clover.
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Tumbling over petals….
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….and swinging on stems.
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That bee was having so much fun. I must have taken 50 photos of that bee. I was mesmerized. Then I looked up and 52 had disappeared! I raced up the lane, into this eerily quiet, shadowed neighborhood where no one appeared to be alive and awake, and I called his name. And no one answered. And I stood there for a long, creepy, near enchanted moment while I considered whether I should go on up the road or start sobbing because I was alone in Harper’s Ferry and the only creature I knew was a bee.
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Then he walked out from behind a ruin above the lane and I beat him about the head for leaving me like that.

And I didn’t tell him one word about that bee.

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24 Responses
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6-29
4:22
am

The whole experience sounds enchanting. That’s a beautiful place; one I’d like to get married in if I wasn’t already married.

And, don’t ya just love bees? (Ha!)

Bee -
6-29
5:44
am

I often find bumble bees to be mesmerizing like that. I love them.

Heidi -
6-29
5:50
am

Let me guess – you’re now going to take up beekeeping? How would one make tiny little cookies to feed pet bees?

Nita in South Carolina -
6-29
5:55
am

i loved watching the bumblers on my lilac bushes this year. makes me sad that they don’t grow in florida, where i am moving to next week. i love your blog and wish i had your farm!

diana sullivan -
6-29
5:58
am

Hey Suzanne,
I didn’t get my “copy” of your newsletter! What can I do?
margiesbooboo

margiesbooboo -
6-29
6:02
am

Wonderful pics and a fun story, too!

Lynda Dunham-Watkins -
6-29
6:22
am

Looks like a great time. I laughed when you said 52 was out of sight. You were left alone. I bet you he knew you were taking pics of that bee. My hubby does the same thing. I will be all into looking at something and he will walk off leaving me.

The bee pics are great. I get them playing in my lavender bushes. Those bees probaby smell really good after playing in the lavender all day.

Diane -
6-29
7:19
am

I have to ask: So did you see any governors or senators on the trail? That is the first thing I thought of when I got the newsletter!

monica -
6-29
7:45
am

I absolutely love Harper’s Ferry! What a wonderful old town. I lived in Gaithersburg, MD for almost 5 years and visited HF several times.

I’m surprised you didn’t “rescue” that bee and take her back to the farm!

Nancy in Atlanta -
6-29
7:51
am

Who’s 52, I dont get it

Shelly -
6-29
7:54
am

A beautiful place to get married?

Is our author foreshadowing?

becki -
6-29
8:19
am

Sorry! I should have put a link in the post on 52 (and will do that now). I forget sometimes that not everyone has been following my blog long enough to know Everything! 52 is my Significant Other.
http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2008/12/08/will-wonders-never-cease/

Suzanne McMinn -
6-29
8:26
am

Reminds me of some of the places in Italy. Very nice.

Bev -
6-29
8:28
am

52 was probably wandering off, taking mental pictures of you taking pictures…..
What a gorgeous spot…loved your photos of it! (and the bee)

The Retired One -
6-29
8:35
am

Harper’s Ferry is so pretty, isn’t it?

Kacey -
6-29
9:30
am

I RECEIVED MY NEWSLETTER AND WAS ABLE TO ACCESS IT. THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN LAST MONTH. ONE OF MY COMPUTER GLITZ I GUESS. THE INTERESTING THING GOING ON AT MY HOUSE IT HOUSE FINCHES DEVORING MY HUNNINGBIRD FOOD. THEY SHOULD BE ON A SUGER HIGH OR GETTING FAT. SOMETIMES BOTH BIRDS ARE FEEDING AT THE SAME TIME. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

mmHoney -
6-29
10:27
am

Didn’t receive newsletter either. Tried to resubscribe but wouldn’t let me since I had already done so. Help..

SuzieQ -
6-29
10:47
am

I love Harper’s Ferry. I was there about a year ago but we had two little kids (one a new baby) and it was soooo bloody hot that day that all we really did was eat lunch in a cute little place somewhere on one of the streets and both kids were having a meltdown so we left after that. I have to go back and see it all. It was fascinating. Kids can sure ruin your social life, huh.

Lucy -
6-29
11:46
am

Great pictures. The church looks like one in England. BTW, I’ve met 52 and he’s great. Yout two make a great couple.

Mary -
6-29
11:57
am

check this out.
http://www.prairieghosts.com/ferry.html

I have always wanted to go to Harper’s Ferry. Now I want to go there even more.

shirley -
6-29
5:16
pm

I used to live 7 miles from Harpers Ferry. It is truly beautiful at Christmas. Did you ever get a pair of carders?

Jean -
6-29
6:07
pm

My newsletter came right on time.

Great pics of the bee, Suzanne!

Estella -
6-29
6:53
pm

I live less than 15 miles from HF. Have lived here since 1970! I wasn’t born in WV but I tried to get here as quickly as I could! Did you get some good pics from Jefferson’s Rock? That can be one hellacious walk, especially if it is hot – and HF can be unbearably hot as it lays in a valley. But it is a GREAT place. You should also take in Shepherdstown, just a couple miles from HF. It is so lovely. In the fall they both do ghost walks and old fashioned Christmases – well worth trips at that time.

Robin in WV -
6-29
8:06
pm

Liked the newsletter – to make you feel better about not sighting Nora, I’ve lived in Boonsboro for 20 years and never once seen her. Did you check out the Inn Boons Boro across the street?

Anita -