Thu 19 May 2011
Return of the Killer Bees
Posted by laup under Discussion, Gardening, Meditations, Outbreak, Outdoors, Playtime, Virulent Apiary
[5] Comments
I helped the bees.
The killer bees who came to rock me been wintering over and building strength. As the spring rains of radioactive doom spill out over the land, they been buzzing slowly into hot activity, like a magma swarm of super-charged sparks under intense pressure.
All they needed was a shelter from the mindlessness of humans caught in their repeating basic mantra of bad brains programming. The killer bees grow stronger in my mind; can’t help but feel a little like a king bee, if only in a small way.
I helped more bees.
Since I decided on becoming a beekeeper, I figured I ought to start at Level 0 somewhere. K ordered this hang-able bunch of cut bamboo wrapped and stapled together, and I put it outside for mason bees to find a home.
Those bees are rover bees, wanderers and nomads without a hive. Heh, pretty cool. They’re all over the place, but you never notice them because they come in so many shapes and sizes not always resembling the humble honey bee.
K had her doubts, but I stubbornly insisted on getting started. Next thing I know, bees! Gathering their pollen for their little larvae and mud to seal up the little nursery capsules.
She was so excited by my success that she gathered up some bamboo and created a makeshift home bunch herself. Next, she took a block of wood and drilled holes in it. All these things were hung in a place so as to avoid the rain and get regular sunshine (warmth and dryness being key).
Okay, so it’s like six or seven sealed nurseries now. Very small results, but still so exciting!
Started looking up YouTube videos of beekeepers, and K tuned me into the top bar method of raising hives. This looks awesome. In particular, the video of the dude installing a queen without gear and only a pipe for smoke while his kids watch strikes me as incredibly brass.
It’s a preview to get me excited about one day being capable enough to help the bees. Yes, the honey is a benefit—I am thinking of myself at least a little. The satisfaction of exploration and experience, however, is what draws me. I must know more about bees!
And I will. Muah-ha-haaa!
Very cool! I think I’ve seen hives like the wood one you described. There’s one on our friend’s property. I’ll have to dig up the photo for you. That’s neat!
Dig up the photo and msg it to me Kim, I’d love to see it!
Even amateurs like us can help the bees at the most basic level. Maybe try it with the girls!
brother.
i’m here.
you are there.
are here and there the same or different?
you are helping bees. frigging wonderful.
sending scads of love and honey. and also vinegar. good for cleaning. cleaning and nourishing. nourishing and cleaning.
go brother go. you got love from the sis tah h e x x x x x
Hek sistah X.
there is no question.
bees! just a few at a time. here and there, small ways, learning.
Vinegar was just on my mind as it so happens. cleaning, flavoring.
ooh ooh ooh! you help bees too because you are helping me! total love and honey, and a fresh baked bread just came out of the oven–no knead!
la, brutha.
friggin yes. allkindsa. more in moments….