Ten Things You Might Not Know About Beeswax

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Beeswax

Bees produce beeswax from glands in their abdomens.  Mixed with saliva and enzymes, it is attached to the honeycomb where it is used to store honey, as a place to raise brood, and protect the hive from infections. Bees consume about eight pounds of honey for each...
On Mentoring

On Mentoring

“I’ll Take Care of You” “You need someone older and wiser telling you what to do . . .”  These words from The Sound of Music may make some women balk at the underlying assumption that women are dependent on men, but when it comes to beekeeping, whether you’re male or...
A Hammer and Some Nails

A Hammer and Some Nails

The Friday Bee Chronicles by Janice Sina A thoughtful look at beekeeping that’s about more than bees.  Volume 1, number 3         Remember the old Sears Catalog?  Some of you probably don’t but if you do, you might remember what magic was within those pages.  So...
The Bee Chronicles:  A New Home

The Bee Chronicles: A New Home

I’m counting down the days again.  Not the days until spring because it’s finally here.  I’m counting the days until my first package of bees arrives.  In my second year of beekeeping, I’m hoping it won’t be so nerve wracking to transport and install a package of...
One More Day . . .

One More Day . . .

On Wednesday, I found the daffodils bowing their heads in dejection and saw more than a dusting of snow on my newly planted lettuce, spinach and sugar snap pea seeds.  There was a blustery cold wind scattering the first brave maple blossoms, and the magnolia I saw...
First Pollen

First Pollen

It’s under there, I just know it.   Nestled under the snow at the moment, it’s hard to believe we’ll be seeing and smelling this plant in swamps and streams in less than a month.  I for one will be happy to see anything green by then, with all the snow we’ve had this...
20,000 New Residents

20,000 New Residents

The Friday Bee Chronicles by Janice Sina A thoughtful look at beekeeping that’s about more than bees.  Volume 1, number 2         In addition to the two humans, one dog and one cat, there are virtually millions of creatures that inhabit the 40 acres we call home.  The...
A Bee’s Eye View

A Bee’s Eye View

Colors Bees See The faint scent of Sharyn’s Forever Young Intensive Hand Cream in Creamy Lavender wafts up from my tapping fingers as I type.  Heavenly!  And a reminder that spring with its delicious scents is right around the corner.  Which means the bees will be out...