Thanks for the kick start.

I recently got an e-mail from a long time friend who called me out the picture I posted on the website. In his e-mail, he chastised, or insinuated that I posted a picture of myself from the 80's.

Ken, thank you! That's a real picture of me but, it was only taken four years ago on my honeymoon! Ha-ha-ha! Since then, and having a daughter in college, being gainfully employed in a very competitive market, I'm a fossil in the office mind you, I've added a few more gray hairs, a few more pounds, so yes, the picture is a little convoluted. The tan, it no longer exists because of the mosquitos and flies associated with this ass-busting work that's the foundation of this blog. It's time to get back writing again. Lot's to talk about.

Moving on....to?...the classics... to bee, or not to bee?...that is the question....

Spring had brought more trees, replacements primarily. Last summer was horrendous in terms of drought. Many trees succumbed to the stress and with our dandy soil, keeping up with a watering routine was nothing short of exhausting. Here was a new season and rain patterns have been consistent and amounts have faired well. In short, it's been a good spring.

The orchard has faired well. Apples have done very well to which I attribute Katherine's due diligence in choosing good rootstock. Cherries, so-so. Peaches have been a problem, not sure why. Apricots o.k.

During the late fall of last year, Katherine came across an article about bee school. A session where anybody who was interested in getting more knowledgeable about honey bees and bee keeping. It seemed like a good fit, especially with the orchard, so our mutually agreed upon Christmas gifts were set, a day long seminar, a couple of cardboard boxes filled with the pine parts of our first hive, all the protective gear and the beekeepers bible. Actually, there was more to Christmas than just bee stuff so just follow along, it's a story.

On a cold January day Katherine and I ventured down to Indianapolis to attend beekeeping school. I do have to say, I really enjoyed it and caught the bug. We immediately assembled our hive, Katherine did the flower detail on the front and then we waited for our queen and entourage, the nuc.

During the first week of June, I went out to pick up our nuc from a breeder in Nappanee, Indiana. The breeder painted a dot on her thorax to identify her and the next day we installed the five frame nucleus into the new hive. We were set. These are the expert pollinators.

These are pictures of new frames that were empty just three weeks ago. The workers, all female, have built out the foundation and the queen has been busy laying new brood. The light tan caps will soon give way to new bees. The light skinned caps in the corner are filled with honey. Amazing for three weeks work. As a result, we've already added a second box on top of the brood, or bottom hive box to accept the rapidly expanding colony.

In addition, the good rain has pushed fruiting as you can see by the pictures. Flowers are blooming and the nectar is flowing.

Fantastic raspberries.

Yes, that's really me.