Wednesday, November 28, 2007

After Long Silence

press clippingHi all, it's me, the "secret" beekeeper who has a problem with actually remaining quiet. Except for the past two months (or more), when I have had a hard time figuring out what to tell you. But there are a few things I can clear up right away, and we can all relax.

First of all, here at the dawn of true winter, all six hives appear to be fine. Everyone in this area is a little light on stores for the cold days ahead, but we've been feeding, feeding, feeding, and don't intend to stop.

Second, as I sit here today I am hoping that the girls have gulped down their last serving of pre-freeze bee medicine. The only "unnatural" medication I apply is Fumidil, an antibiotic that helps the girls deal with Nosema (a digestive ailment that you might get, too, if you had to hold your poop for as long as the outside temp hovers below 50degrees F (10 degrees C)! I might have skipped it this year, but the roof girls are still suffering the after effects of the mighty mite battle of over a year ago (some deformed abdomens) and I want to give them the help I can.

Third, my blog life and my face to face life have become hopelessly muddled, and I am not sure what to do about it (Hi everybody! Yes, I could be referring to you...) The clipping you see above is from the October 2007 issue of Bee Culture, an honor my whole club knows about. I'm one of a distinguished company of bee bloggers, most of them much better beekeepers. And I could be very dramatic about being found out, etc., except I have been telling so many people about my blogly efforts for so long, it's hardly a surprise that SOMEONE would stop by!

But you know, this whole beekeeping thing is deeply personal and concerning, and to stand in front of someone you barely know discussing your deepest worries and failings and foolishness is, well, harder than telling folks on the other side of the world. Also, I cannot gossip effectively...

You know what, it is also very hard to stand in front of people I know *very well* and feel my heart out there on my sleeve, potentially receiving the odd bruise.

Suffice it to say that enough is enough, you have heard enough about my crowing and my cowardice, and that I promise to catch you up on stuff. I'm going to try to fill in a few entries from earlier dates (I have been taking pictures and thinking of you all, you know) and I apologize for any resulting confusion.

To say something final (and it does somehow seem required), I still love the sight, smell, and sound of a humming hive, and I care deeply for the bees. It was easier when it was a more private passion, but perhaps there comes a time to announce one's love out loud.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back.
I've had a tiring day so I'm not sure if it is just me having a hard time comprehending what I am reading tonight, but from your post... did someone find about about the secret bees? I hope you and the bees are ok!
I'll be back later for sure to see what's up. Keep blogging when you can. I miss you.

Trintorul said...

I missed your posts. The Romanian beekeepers can not realize you keep bees on the roof in middle Washington . It’s difficult. Thanks for all.
George

Anonymous said...

I missed your posts. The Romanian beekeepers can not realize you keep bees on the roof in middle Washington . It’s difficult. Thanks for all.
George

Andrea said...

Hi -- I just found your blog and I'm starting to read through it. Thank you so much for the things you write, especially this:


"But you know, this whole beekeeping thing is deeply personal and concerning, and to stand in front of someone you barely know discussing your deepest worries and failings and foolishness is, well, harder than telling folks on the other side of the world."


I just got my two bee colonies last weekend and now we suddenly have a late season snow, and my husband's jury-rigged entrance reducers blew off at some point in the night, and I don't see any bees. So, you know, I know they're probably alright in there, but I'm amazed at how fretful and concerning the whole affair is, how many foolish things I've done already! Glad to know it's the nature of the thing. I'll keep reading.