A contemplative season

This is the season when many people review what has transpired throughout the previous months, and also look ahead to the fresh new year, rich with possibilities. It's often when we vow to change or improve the way we live our lives. To me, that is such a hopeful and human thing to do.

This year, as always, I've been blessed in so many ways. There have been losses large and small this year, painful and sad occasions, but I honor them as part of the rich tapestry that is my life. There was the hive in September that was discovered to be weakened because its queen was failing or had somehow been damaged. November brought the death of Dallas, our home's beloved "Queen Bee," the plucky and ancient little cat who was the last of my four magical felines. The year also presented me with the understanding that some of my relationships could no longer support who we had become, or are becoming, and thus must be ended if they cannot evolve. But I have so much to celebrate and for which to feel grateful, as well. So I have tried not to focus upon the failures and losses longer than necessary.

We are hoping to expand the apiary again in the Spring. There's plenty of planning and work to do in preparation. We've been pleasantly surprised by the support of so many people who are curious about bees, concerned about their plight, and who enjoy the raw honey we extract from our hives. The proceeds of our sales go straight back to beekeeping, and every penny helps. Fortunately, I didn't wake up one morning thinking, "Ah...beekeeping...that will support me in my golden years." Anyone who keeps bees, too, will be amused at the thought. I laughed out loud when Mark Robar remarked to me at a meeting this Summer, "The day I make my first dollar from beekeeping will be the day I get out of the business." He's probably been working with bees for at least 40 years...

Yes, I am so grateful to everyone who aided and supported our endeavors this year. And every time someone asks whether they can buy more honey, I still feel incredibly surprised and happy. One very beautiful moment came in September when Sarah placed her second, very large order of honey. She'd already purchased several pounds of honey about two months earlier, some of which I know she gave to her family and friends. Even so, I was surprised when she asked could her husband to stop in for more. When Jordan arrived I took him out to the back deck so he could see the two hives we had in the garden. I asked about the order he was bringing home--what could they possibly do with so much honey. He said it was to be used for the sacred rituals their family would observe during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I felt so honored and very humbled that our honey would be a part of something so special, and I still am.

So thank you, Everyone, for your friendship, your interest, your caring, and support. Beekeeping has been my great privilege and I am honored that you have chose to be a part of it.

Happy New Year, dear Ones! Wishing you the blessings you deserve and desire, and the opportunities during 2009 to make all your dreams come true.



[The photo above was taken near Llangurig, Wales, December 2008, by Mike Southern. Click on the photo to enlarge the image. 

Photo of Dallas, left, was taken May 2008, in the garden of Pleasant Lane Apiary.]

Harriet of the Blogsphere

Hello Harriet!

Thank you so much for the lovely bee pin you sent last week. It arrived on Saturday and I am, as always, touched by your thoughtfulness.

I have an online blog, a little journal, that I am keeping about my bees and beekeeping adventures. Perhaps you'd like to visit it:

http://pleasantlaneapiary.blogspot.com/

I wrote a little something about you and your bee. If you think the posting is too revealing and would like me to obscure your privacy more completely, I can do that at once. Only a handful of my friends read the blog at the moment, but it is on the internet and your privacy and feelings of well-being matter very much to me.

Read it when your time permits and let me know if you want me to change or delete that entry about you.

Thank you again, Harriet! I'll be in touch when we extract our first honey of the year. The bees have been flying and they are finding a beautiful golden yellow pollen from somewhere!

With fondest thoughts~

* * * * * * *

I'm delighted to be mentioned in your blog. I've never been in a blog and I like your style of journal very much. Within a short space I know about your St. Patrick's Day breakfast, the baskets on the rear legs of your bees, your neighbors, your great cat survivor, and I say hearty congratulations on the general well being of your hives. I hope your Spring keeps you busy as a bee.

You chose a great occupation and I hope you enjoy wearing the pin.

Wishes galore,
Harriet

The other "queen bee"

The last of my four beloved cats, this ancient feline is the "queen bee" of our home. Dallas enjoys gardening and beekeeping, but the latter from a respectful distance. At nearly 18 years old, she is the benevolent ruler of our household and does whatever she likes with her days.

This photo of her was taken at the end of February. The days were beginning to grow longer again and we were dreaming of a new season of working in the gardens with our honey bees.