Dave Green writes: > > I'm surprised no one has proposed the best solution - throw them away! Yup, that *is* the best way. But I do wish there was an easier way to get used to the stings. I started without gloves and swelled up quite a lot the first few times I got stung. Now I react very little and once I'm stung I get philosophical. Unfortunately that doesn't stop me feeling aprehensive when I start and 'jumping' every time I feel a bee on the back of my hand (I didn't used to when I started). The jump is my problem and I'm working on it slowly -- must try harder. I always try to work the bees as though I'm not wearing gloves and I'm rarely stung as a consequence. BTW, I count stings into clothing as 'hits' even if I personally don't feel them. Most of my stings are when a bee gets caught in the folds of the glove's cuff, which wouldn't be there to trap them if I weren't wearing them! > On second thought, don't throw the gloves away, put them in the toolbox. Good for weeding out stinging nettles! > Maybe I'm a bee venom junkie. If I don't work the bees for a while, my > knuckles swell and get stiff with arthritis. So I welcome, at least, the > first couple stings to get limbered up. And I like to keep the swelling > down, as that inflamation is what destroys the joints. I hear various friend-of-a-friend stories about this. You seem convinced that bee venom does indeed help control arthitis. Any others on the list convinced? Regards, -- Gordon Scott [log in to unmask] 100332,3310 on CompuServe Newsletter [log in to unmask] ditto Beekeeper, Kendo Sandan, sometime sailor. Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 5HP, UK PS -- whilst this is still in my 'out tray'. True to my promise to myself, the gloves were off today. One sting (back of a little pinky) about 10 seconds after opening the first box, then nothing. Very fews 'jumps' too -- I'm definitely getting my confidence back. Thanks for your nice gentle encouragement ;-) Right, now to continue with that spider phobia of mine.