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Saturday, March 20, 2010

Lesson Number 1: I might end up sucking at beekeeping.

Some of you are may be wondering why I've decided to become a beekeeper. In short, I am doing this because I like honey and want lots of it. But there are other reasons too. We need bees and other pollinators (that are declining in numbers due to habitat loss, climate change, diseases, ect.) to help grow our food and it feels good to support them and all the positive things that come with them. And I like a little challenge now and then.

I've always been interested in beekeeping but never thought I had the nerve, the knowledge or resources to be able to do it until I met Greg, my partner in this crazy project. I have more in common with him than anybody I've ever met and he is the only person who can answer more questions correctly than me while watching Jeopardy. So it is to him that I owe so much gratitude. Without his willingness to try beekeeping with me, I wouldn't have never gotten the courage to take the first step. I am also very thankful to his employer who are much more financially supportive than mine!

A few months after Greg and I met I found out he took a beekeeping class while in college. How awesome is that! We talked about how it would be fun to have a couple hives but nothing ever materialized until January of 2010 when we brought the subject up again. We did an internet search to see if there were any workshops or classes on the subject in our area. Sure enough there was an annual conference and workshop for Ohio beekeepers in early March. I signed us up, we went (along with about a thousand other people) and on our way home we said "Lets do it!" So there you have it. That's how we came about deciding to try out beekeeping for the first time. We didn't ponder it or do much rationalizing. Its not really our style. We just couldn't think of any reason not to try it.

This is the first of (hopefully) many updates about my first year of beekeeping. Once I started telling people that I was going to get a hive, I was really surprised at all the positive feedback I've gotten. I guess a lot of people like honey too! So far, the most important thing I've learned from the books, websites, classes and even a seasoned beekeeper or two is this;I might suck at it. My bees might die or abandon my hive... and I most definitely will get stung. Sounds fun right? I don't know why everyone doesn't keep bees in their backyards!

I have a few more stories to follow soon. Our meeting of "Tiny Tim" and the fiasco of trying to get our supplies will probably be next. I also recently found out that Greg ordered our bees from a pirate and we will be meeting him at a bar to pick them up- so yeah, that is good material for another post as well. Please be forewarned, if my bees die, abandon the hive, don't make any honey or I get stung to death, this blog will come to an abrupt end. So stay tuned.

4 comments:

  1. Haha off to a good start but I think you give way too much credit to me for doing this. And we are going to rock as beekeepers, we haven't even gotten the bees yet and you are telling people we will kill them. We can always blame bears for tipping our hives and eating all the honey, people will totally believe that...

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  2. I have long wondered when you would start a blog. I have been anxiously awaiting your witty stories about crazy random crap that happens to you and only you. Granted, I usually get to hear them face to face but it's going to be fun to refer friends and family to a place where they can read them in all their detail! Can't wait to hear to goods on the bee drop at the bar. Maybe you'll get lucky and this "pirate" will bare a resemblance to the beloved Captain Jack.

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  3. Can't wait to follow your blog and welcome to the blogging world! It's so fun but I hope you do a better job of updating yours than I do with mine. Good luck with your beeeeeeeezzzzzzzzz!

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  4. Is there a Dummies Guide to BeeKeeping?...This could be you and Greg's next adventure!!! I laughed and laughed while reading his!!! How entertaining...it was like being along with you ....I could even see your facial expressions as I read this delightful little story! Your adventures really will make a great book! Best to both of you in your new adventure!

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