James won.

A week ago, we had to take Raindrop to the vet hospital.

• Her face had blown up.
• Looked like an allergic reaction.
• Vet predicted insect bites.

Saturday James discovered the source of Raindrop’s pain.

• James mowed the backyard with his push mower.
• Pushing makes it a personal experience.
• Especially when you mow over an underground colony of yellow jackets!

I returned from a walk to find James storming out of backyard.

• Several yellow jackets had stung him.
• A ticked-off few still followed.
• We got him safely in the house to take care of injuries.

The war was on.

• We try to stay natural in our yard.
• But the yellow jacket colony would cost too much to ignore.
• (Already $100+ vet bill plus pain for James.)

Last night we Raided the yellow jacket colony.

• James dressed covered from head to toe.
• Waited for dusk to come when yellow jackets are less active.
• Then attacked - dousing the hive with Raid.

This morning it looks like James won.

• One dead yellow jacket on surface.
• No activity so far.
• James and Raindrop are hopeful.

It was so easy to take care of - wish we had found the colony BEFORE Raindrop and James got stung.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…do you nip your problems in the bud - or wait until they grow into expensive, painful experiences to take action?

Originally posted @ Cynthia D'Amour on Leadership and Life