Of birds and ..... well, of bees...

[Skidmore]

Oh, the wide-eyed wonder of a child learning. A thing of beauty and glory.

Our little grandbabies were down here to visit from Chicago. Our little bit of land and the village we live in are better than a visiting a theme park for them. Always an adventure to be found. This time, they discovered a new tasty treat--honeycomb. A friend is an avid beekeeper and he brought over some of the honeycomb he harvested when he was putting his hives down for the winter. Rapt little faces absorbed his tales of how honey was made, how the bee colony was organized, and the level of work that goes into making the honey. Our friend brought them their very own honeycomb this morning before they left to take home with them. A 5, 3, and 2 year old supervised the packing of said comb in the cooler and the three year old insisted on holding it's handle in the car so that the honey wouldn't spill. I'm certain classmates and teachers will hear about bees and honey tomorrow, complete with stats and possibly some embellishments.

I wish bees for all our children, and sweet golden honey glistening in transluscent cells. Sugary, oozy sundrops. Flower candy. Gift of the Great Mother and her consort. May we be stewards worthy of these treasures.

[babylonsister]

1. I'll bet at least the oldest one will never forget his/her magical day

either. Lovely, Skidmore. You brought some sunshine into an otherwise bleak day.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. Oh,

:cry:

and, :-)

honey and butterflies and ladybugs and snap dragons and dandelions and four leaf clovers and lightening bugs and bob o links and robins and...

:kick: and R.

MKJ

[NanceGreggs]

3. Off to the Greatest Page ...

... a truly heartwarming story, and a message for all.

"May we be stewards worthy of these treasures."

May we indeed.

[stevedeshazer]

4. Beautiful story

Here's to bees and grandchildren.

:toast:

[dave29]

5. nothing makes me happier

than knowing that there is wonder left in the world... not only for those who experienced it, but for those who witnessed it. We all are lost when we lose wonder.

Thank you for sharing a beautiful story.

-Dave

[sarge43]

6. Lovely story

That's how my husband got hooked on beekeeping. When he was about six or seven, his uncle showed him how a new colony is introduced to their hive. Skipping details, the queen is put inside and the workers are let loose just outside the hive. They walk inside - honest. His uncle told him to put his arm just in front of the entrance and the bees would walk over it. Husband said he was a bit hesitant, but that's exactly what the girls did - no stings. Well, that was one of those "Oh wow" moments for him and he never forgot it. It took him fifty years to get his own hives, but he got 'em. Wouldn't be surprised if someday your grandbaby becomes a steward of a golden kingdom.

(typo - as usual)

[malaise]

7. Lovely story

Hug those honeys. :grouphug:

[Fly by night]

8. One more of the Goddess' miracles that we are at risk of losing.

All the wild honeybee colonies have been dead for a decade and the latest die-off is impacting most commercial apiaries. Sad state of affairs.

I've raised bees myself. Hard (and hot) work here in Tennessee, but very much worth the effort.

[bvar22]

9. K&R

We love our Bees!
And appreciate others who love Bees.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x34941

[ClayZ]

10. Our daughter is hanging Honey Straws on her Xmas tree,

instead of Candy Canes. I bet it will be pretty!


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[roguevalley]

11. when I was a kid, my mom had surgery and I had to go to Portland

to stay with my grandparents. they were WOEFULLY unprepared for two silent upset little kids and the only thing beside a swing was the beehive in their backyard. I used to go and sit behind it, about a foot and a half clearance between it and the holly hedge it was next to and watch the bees.

They are so awesome. I would sit for hours and hours watching them. They would fly in and out and when the hive was too hot they would all get together and fan their wings. What a sound that was. Then they would repel intruders and dump the dead out the back. Awesome memories. I would come and sit and they would fly around me and I never once got stung. They ignored me and I worshipped them.

The bee man came and we took honey from the hive, really dark and warm sweet honey. Chewed on combs and felt like a million dollars. These are among the best memories of my life.

The hives in Alaska are booming. We treat our bees right. If you ever get a chance to sit behind a hive near the door and watch, I totally recommend it.

[Skidmore]

12. Thank you for sharing your story.

Have you ever read that book, "The Secret Life of Bees"? Lotsa bee lore in it and a nod to the healing power of contemplating that tiny ordered universe they inhabit with all its complex mysteries and simplicity.