There wasn’t any honey to take because my bees died of starvation by all appearances. But the seventeen frames of wax ought to come in handy for salves, lotions, and candles if I could get them melted down. I planned on transferring the strained, melted wax into empty milk cartons. The milk cartons would act…
Category: Bees
The Day the Village Died
A week ago we became suspicious. They had been flying here and there and buzzing in the trees fine a few weeks ago. I meant to get into the hive on the next nice day. The last really nice day may have been Easter and I didn’t do it. What made us wonder about the…
Tales of a Terrible Bee Keeper
I’m more of a cat person, really. But as a farmer, I love pollinators. Birds, butterflies, especially bees help to ensure that we will have crops. I wanted to help them out in any way I could (and perhaps have a bit of honey for my tea) so I set up a hive. My friends…
Moving Honey Bees- Take 2
The blue and red lights of a bored sheriff flew on as soon as we turned on the main road. We had barely gotten started, our precious load in the back, and we knew we hadn’t broken any traffic laws. The sheriff sidled up to the truck window, lifted an eye brow, and said calmly,…
Moving Honey Bees-Take 1
We headed down the country roads at dusk, watching the colors change across the horizon, mountains and trees becoming shadows. We still have a bit of work at the old house to do. We still have the basement and the garage to clean out and some spiffing up around the property before we send back the…
A Trip to a Medieval Village (our bee hive)
There has been so much activity in the medieval kingdom (our bee hive that is) that I thought I better have my friend and mentor, Brett, come over and translate what is going on. It has been four months since we first got our hive. After donning our suits and smoking the hive entrance to hide…
Chronicles of a Nervous New Beekeeper (with a top bar hive)
I happened to be sifting through Facebook when I noted that my friend, Luis, who I went to the bee keeping class with was excitedly announcing that he was picking up his bees that morning. …What? I checked my email, but did not have an email telling me to do the same thing. Others were…
Welcoming Honey Bees
Welcome Honey Bees! I’ll have a sign, I hope they think their new digs are fine. I feel excited like Winnie the Pooh, We’ll have lots of sticky honey, for sweets and a cup of tea too! I painted the bee hive a lovely raspberry pink. Welcoming but not over the top. I have read…
Bee Keeping Mama (soon to be)
There is a bee hive on the very tip top of the hundred-plus year old building across the street from my shop. If you stand in my doorway you can see them busily working. Among the ornate swirls of wood, they have made their home. I have always had a fondness for Victorian architecture myself,…
Farmgirl School 