My bees died. I blame the weather. One day it's 70 degrees, the next day, 30. They absconded. When I did my pre-winter inspection, they were all accounted for, including the queen, healthy and happy, with plenty of honey for their winter feed. The other day was springlike, so I thought I'd take a peek and see how they were. Dead. The handful I could see, that is. The rest were gone. My beekeeper's guide has assured me that this will happen to every beekeeper at least once. But still - I get attached - hence my post title. They were so gentle. They climbed all over me, a la Idgie Threadgood, and they never stung. Not even once.The one consolation is the four jars of amber hued honey I was able to glean from the ghost town of a hive. I did order more bees which will be coming in May. But still...
So how do I cheer myself up when I'm down? I think about my friend Kathy eating her favorite candy:
"A merry heart is good medicine."
26 comments:
Your beekeeper's guide sounds way more reassuring than most of the mothering guides i've read ... :)
sorry for your loss, honey.
[a revenge pun for your comment from last week!]
haha!
no, not about the bees.
weep in thy honey then. x
KeLi, touche, and fair enough. lol
Angelina, xx back
i'm sorry jodi :( but i think you're the bee's knees.
Well, Amy used my "bee's knees" comment, so I have nothing witty to add. My son-in-law just finished a beekeeping class. He wants to venture into it someday. I think it must be a hard job, though. I hope your new bees are just as gentle and productive as your last hive.
First I read about Lyla's cat dying, and now your bees.
I'm afraid today is going to be a very sad day.
I once had a swarm of bees fly over me, just above my head. Amazing feeling and not at all scary. I'm sorry you lost your bees. I hope the new ones settle in well.
The weather has been killing the plants too. :( Are you going to try again?
Oh, Jodi. I am sorry about your bees. Can the weather really cause them to die off? The honey you salvaged looks beautiful with the light shining through :)
I am so very sorry, friend. That is a sad thing indeed! If you actually do want a witty reference to beekeeping (in the form of a P.G. Wodehouse novel) then Uneasy Money should fit the bill. ;)...And I hope you find many other things to make you smile this week!
i'm sorry for your loss, but i confess the title of this post made me laugh... as well as that hilarious photo at the end.
Oh my Jodi -
You are so funny honey.....
I am sad to report, exactly the same thing happened to us this weekend.
We checked on them several days ago, perfectly fine....Sunday once again went out to check....all dead, tons of honey though, we will transfer that to the other thriving hive.
Our beekeeper friend up the road, who has been mentoring us along, says....he thinks they starved, even though there was plenty of honey, they were all in a ball, and fears they refused to move to eat, in order to stay warm, apparently they all have to move together.
Very sad all the same.
Oh dear...
for waiting for the bees to arrive reading suggestions "The New Boy" by Doreen Tovey (actually the beekeeping description made me fall about but humour is quirky.)
Precious Bane by Mary Webb an Old Old favourite...lots of old Shropshire customs including "telling the bees"
My Brother is a beekeeper and sends sympathy
Val, I own "Precious Bane." IT's a favorite, and I'll definitely check out "The New Boy." Tell your brother thank you.
Steph, yes, I am going to try again. :)
And all you other dear readers and friends that chimed in, thank you.
Olivia, Uneasy Money sounds like something I should check out. :)
It seems an old southern saying is appropriate here....Well if that don't beat the bugs a fighting.....
I am so sorry....Why in the world would they just leave like that and did the queen leave too? How long had you had these bees?
I hope you will like your new ones as well......
so sorry about your bee's!
Do love your new blog look.
I've missed you!!
Dear Jodi, I am so sorry for the death of your bees, but it happens all too often these days of colony collapse disorder and various mites. I'm glad you are beginning again...I grow many white and blue flowers that bloom early to give the wild bees around me some food when they begin to wake up.......
So sorry about your bees. Your shot of Kathy cheered only you, she brought a smile here, too.
Thank you for your prayers Jodi, it means so much to me! You bless me sweet friend.
Ah, I'm so sorry, Jodi. I think your beekeeper guide is right (like I really would know) because I have heard this from more than one friend who has undertaken this adventure. The hunny looks sweet (said pooh). XOXo
I'm glad my silliness could bring a smile at a time like this.... enjoy their honey, that's what they would have wanted! Sending hugs!
So, so sorry. You're such a good beekeeper. Hope you'll go for it again. I totally get the dog thing. The ending is so sad that I protect myself by steering clear for now. Plus, they don't leave honey.
Oh, how sad :( But they had a wonderful life with you....
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