The great bumblebee attack

While being outdoors covering a news assignment this week, I had an unusual occurrence that has never happened before. It’s something that probably could have landed on America’s Funniest Videos.
As I was taking photos of a polka band, I felt a sensation on my leg. At first, I didn’t think much of it as I’ve dealt with pesky bugs, mosquitoes and flies before. But the extra sensitivity continued.
This is where things got a little interesting. Instead of taking photos, I quickly found myself dancing around trying to find the culprit of the burning feeling that had now invaded my left leg. I’m not sure what movement you’d call it, but it resembled 
I was twisting, turning and shaking all around. Uncontrollably, I might add.
Of course, I tried to portray Joe Cool and act as nothing was going on. But certainly my crazy movements were a dead give away that something was up. And my actions were ridiculously far from qualifying me for a guest appearance on the Molly B. Polka Party show. 
I couldn’t have had a worse spot for this craziness to happen. I was standing in front of hundreds of people enjoying a legendary polka band. 
All I could think of was the crowd that had gathered to hear the old-time music was pondering the thought, “Where did he ever learn how to polka?”
By now, the pain and sensation intensified. And I still had no clue what was happening to my leg and who knows what other body parts.
A giggling I kept on with no relief in sight.
Finally, I slammed my leg into the ground and found the offender.
It turned out to be a bumblebee. 
After shaking my leg vigorously, I saw a bee drop to the ground. I was stunned. Wait, I mean I was stung. Well, maybe stung and stunned all at the same time.
A bee had never stung me before. 
Somehow a bee crawled up my pants and decided to take a bite out of my calf. And it left an imprint for prosperity. 
I immediately started scratching and itching away at the back of my leg. I was waiting for the moment when I would pass out. I’ve heard horror stories before of people stung by bees and having an allergic reaction. 
Luckily, there was no reaction other than people reacting to what they thought was some press guy trying to impersonate a polka dancer. 
By the way, Molly B hasn’t come knocking yet. 
If there’s a lesson to be learned, I guess I take comfort in knowing I’m not allergic to bees. I’ve always wondered that in the back of my mind when I see bees swarming around my lemonade or shave ice treats I love to slurp on. What if one of those goes in for the kill on my tender skin?
To be honest, bees have always terrified me. I know they are important to our planet, but there’s something about those little critters that gets under my skin. 
Wonder no more, this news photographer is a bee sting survivor. It only took me nearly a half century to get that distinction. 
With that behind me, perhaps it’s time I got in hot pursuit of figuring out how to really polka dance without the aide of a bee crawling up my leg.