Do other species communicate with us?

Eh? Have I taken leave of my senses? This is going to sound a bit "off the wall" but it is something that fascinates me so please bear with me.
A couple of years ago I was trimming a hedge in my garden. This was at the end of the bird nesting season so I was just tidying up the edges as I felt that I was not doing any harm to any wildlife. Suddenly a wasp landed on my hand. It didn't sting me but just "sat" there. I gently shook it off only to have it return and sting me. It was quite bizarre as the wasp appeared to deliberately come back to specifically sting me. For some reason this caused me to pause in the trimming and upon looking further along the hedge I discovered a well hidden wasp nest about 3 feet away. If the wasp had not stung me I would have cut straight into the nest with reuslts I would rather not thing about! To this day I am sure that the wasp was trying to warn me.
Interestingly a few years previously when I lived at another house we again discovered a wasp nest in the garden. This was in a tree and we didn't discover it until the autumn when the leaves came off. Strangely we had been sitting under this tree all summer without realising we had a wasp nest just feet above our heads! Obviously we didn't disturb the wasps and they didn't disturb us.
The same thing applies to ants. We have several quite large (by U.K. standards) ants nests in the garden. In fact one of our regular visitors expressed surprise at the number and size of the nests. The point is that despite having so many ants around they never come into the house whereas other people in the neighbourhood who have ants nests regard them as a nuisance. Despite putting down poison they keep entering their houses.
So do wasps,ants etc know who cares for them and leave us alone or am I just being fanciful?
I am still working steadily on my internet business whoisjohnbeaumont.com and is looking good.
Thought for today:- Do we care enough about our wildlife and do all we can to protect them?
Joke for today:- I grew up with six brothers. Thats how I learned to dance--waiting for the bathroom. Bob Hope
On this day:- In 1819 Queen Victoria was born
In 1941 Bob Dylan was born

Onward and upward

Over the weekend Sue and I went to the old Snibston Colliery for a special event involving vintage transport. The site, which closed down in the 1980's, is now a very interesting museum.

I had to laugh as I could remember most of the cars on show being released new! That dates me.
This brought home to me how time flies. The number of things I was going to do in my life which never got done because I put it off until tomorrow. As they say tomorrow never comes.
However in my case I don't think it is too late to still achieve most of them so I'm going for it!
Are you?
This is why instead of sitting with my feet up in retirement I am pushing ahead with my internet business. Look me up if you want to see my progress at www.whoisjohnbeaumont.com. Nudge nudge.
Thought for today: Are you putting something important off until tomorrow that you could do today. Even telling your partner/kids that you love them?
Joke for today: Life may not be worth living but what else can you do with it?
On this day 17th May:-
In 1861 the first "package" holiday organised by Thomas Cook took place. On the same day the first colour photograph was exhibited at the Royal Institution in London
In 1510 Botticelli died.
In 1900 Mafeking was relieved. Colonel Robert Baden-Powell (of scouting fame)was in charge of the defence of Mafeking

Are we allowed to take enough risks?

Hi friends
Are we allowed to take enough risks in life? The reason I ask is that last week a cadet on a sailing ship unfortunately died after falling from the rigging. Very sad.
However I think that todays youth do not get enough opportunity to test themselved because of the 'elf and safety brigade.
When I was at school in the 1950's I joined the cadet force. Initially we spent a year in the army detachment before we could choose to either stay on the army side or transfer to the navy or airforce branches.
During the first year we went on quite realistic army excercises which included being issued with live ammunition. We had live firing on full scale long range butts. When not firing we were based underneath the targets with pointers to show whoever was firing where their bullet went. Very exciting for a fourteen year old!
The following years I went to sea when on annual camp. This involved climbing up a rope ladder in the middle of the ocean from a small boat onto a frigate. The sea was quite choppy as well.
One time we climbed up onto HMS Blackpool. This was in 1958 and Blackpool was a brand new frigate at the time just undergoing her sea trials. Whilst we were on her she fired her brand new anti submarine mortars for the first time. These were the latest state of the art weapons then so just before they fired them we were all told to flatten ourselves face down on the deck in case bits of metal flew off.
I don't think that many youngsters get the same opportunities today.
Still I now get excitement from building my internet business whoisjohnbeaumont.com instead.
Thought for today. Did you take any exciting (but legal/moral) risks today?
Joke for today:- Last week I replaced every window in my house. Then I discovered I had a crack in my glasses.
On this day 10th May:- In 1849 troops opened fire on a rioting crowd in Ney York killing 22 people.
In 1940 Winston Churchill became Prime Minister replacing Chamberlain
In 1863 Stonewall Jackson died from wounds obtained from friendly fire