The kids and I began construction on the second story of the bee house yesterday. We should have it finished today. Timothy is frowning because he doesn’t like his picture taken. And yes, Sarah is giving me bunny ears.
About the bees, while they are multiplying well in my back yard, I worry about CCD. So yesterday I spent way too many hours studying documents from the scientific community to learn what was killing these furry, friendly, warm, purring (never say “buzzing” they hate that) and sweet-as-honey apiformes. Guess what I learned? Nothing. Scientists don’t know. They say that it’s complex (i.e. give us more money and then we’ll tell you). They have confirmed that it’s not a fungus, bacteria, virus, or mite.
Like so many other problems that nobody seems to be able to solve, I decided to tackle this one all by myself. Oh, and I figured it out in less than an hour. Let me put it this way, have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates? Morons.
I started by looking at it from the honey bee’s perspective. For the past 50+ years they have been subjected to more chemicals (insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, antibiotics, etc.) than any other animal taxa. The ones that are “collapsing” are the ones employed in large-scale corporate operations. Here’s what happened - they got sick of being neglected, poisoned, and overworked (aka commoditized) - and they flew away. They rejected the terminal lifestyle and struck out for the promised land. I think I can relate.
6 Comments
Wow! And all this while I only thought it was humans who rage against the machine.
I fear bees.
I fear nothing. I want nothing. I am free. (yep, just made that up).
love your blog and picture.
i can assure you your bees will stick around. bees are no differet than anything else. they the same basic need that all living ceratures that serve man;
after read your blog my mind drifted back 60 years or more. i remember i had a great uncle the raised bees down in circleville utah piute county. he took me and a few of my cousins with hime one day to get us a real treat. HONEY COMB as he laid out his gear a smoke can, bee keepers hat and gloves.he took the time to tell us about the bees. no he didn’t about the birds. he told us how and why bees did what they did. i am sure he told the same thing to all my cousins as we become old enough to understand. i rember asking him what the bees would eat if we took their honey. he said “don’t fret about that they won’t mind.
he put on his gear and with smoker in hand he proceded tho gather a chunk of wax full of honey placed in a big mouth mason jar for our latter use it was gooood
for the rest of the summer i kept thinking of those poor bees with their depleted stock, i felt guilty when i had a peanut and honey sandwich.
i guess my point is when someone takes the time to tell you agout the bees ;listen to his story i am sure uncle john told us that when times were lean for the bees he provided a necter of water and sugar. thats it i go have me a pb&h sandwich
Damon’s Dad!? I remember you! WELCOME! Thanks for the wisdom and reassurance regarding the bees. They have become a big part of my life lately. As such, I am all ears to hear a voice of experience in the matter. Again, thank you for sharing. Did you hear that Damon got me hooked up with three more boxes for the winter? He is a noble and generous soul. Must run in the family. Please swing by again when you’re in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, I think I’ll go have a pb&h sandwich too!
Well Well Well… if it is story time let me rock the house down a little bit…
My Great Grand Mother Chiaretta(Sha-ret-ah) never did keep bees; but she did work in her garden; all the while humming… you know? hmmmmmmmmmm. That’s right. Based on what my Aunt tells me; she did this little “hum” to keep the bees from getting upset with her. Legend has it that she never got stung by the bees in her elaborate and somewhat ornate garden. Who knows? Maybe she was just insane… Its getting late and all be darned if I’m not going to go make my own samitch right now! Thanks Bees!!! Keep it coming… And Brian, get a business card and logo so we will know where to go for our next “Jar O Sweet Amber Goodness”
DD
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