two pounds of honey from different times in the season – both really good! Bob did it all this year by himself!
Sent from our mentor and teacher Robert Sitko, Master Beekeeper
The following from “The World Of Beekeeping”
“I hadn’t been out to the hives before, so to start off she gave me a lesson in what she called ‘bee yard etiquette’. She reminded me that the world was really one bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places. Don’t be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don’t be an idiot; wear long sleeves and pants. Don’t swat. Don’t even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates while whistling melts a bee’s temper. Act like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees
Great words of advice that Sue Monk Kidd gives in “The Secret Life of Bees.” To me, it really speaks of the confidence you build, both while beekeeping and away from the hives when you start your first hive.
Because, in the beginning, bees can sound scary. Especially getting face to face with literally tens of thousands of potentially stinging bees. Just the thought of that can get your palms sweaty and your heart racing.
But as soon as you muster up the courage to just do it, you quickly realize that there’s very little to fear, particularly if you are wearing your suit, veil and gloves.
And you start to realize that the the anger, fear, or reactionary measures like swatting at bees can get reflected right back at you by the hive.
Bees are like an emotional mirror. Act scared, and your bees will buzz, and jitter in anticipation. Exhibit anger, and you may find yourself with bees bouncing off your suit as if trying to “shoulder check” you. Swat at them, and prepare to get swatted right back.
However, if you come in with confidence and calm, you’ll find that more often than not, that is given back to you from your hive with happy, calm, pleasant bees who enjoy your company.
And this “emotional mirror” of your bees can help you in your own life. You get to practice being in a calm, confident, and almost meditative like state when you’re tending to your bees. The more you do this, the more this calm, confident state of being starts to show up outside of beekeeping, and in your every day interactions with life.
I took this photo last spring – pollen sacs on the legs.
The light pollen is probably from basswood, early blooming
I think I have to get a hive !
xo Ann
Bees are amazing!
Congratulations with working with the bees. I know I couldn’t do it.
Good advice for tai chi, too.
What a blessing! You get to “bee” in the moment with these amazing creatures, and the honey is so beautiful, too!