Isn't it self explanatory?
Do all towns have email lists these days? I suppose so. Our town's list announces church suppers and firewood for sale; requests proposals for mowing the town green; advertises sporting equipment, cars, pianos, and livestock for sale or barter; and invites us to school plays, concerts, farmers markets. Around elections, they bustle with political opinions.… Continue reading Bears unwelcome
Every visit to the hive is a bit like opening a gift that I'm a little wary of. Not because I'm afraid of the bees, but because I'm afraid for them. After last year's disappointments, we're just never sure what we're going to see. Each time, we approach the hive with quiet excitement tinged with… Continue reading The Sunday buzz
It took some time, as most good things do, but we finally expanded the goats' pasture this spring by a large degree. The three original goats came from what was essentially a dry lot—a spotlessly clean pen where they were fed a mixture of hays and other farmer-provided food year-round. They were healthy and gorgeous… Continue reading Pasture perfect
Admit it. You've been wondering about the bees, haven't you? (Please say you have. I like people who take an interest in bees.) I haven't talked about them much because, well, as we've said before, bees will break your heart. And they do. And they did. Our little colony didn't make it through the winter.… Continue reading Some nights, the bear
We don't know what we're doing. We try. We read books, scan websites, talk to beekeepers, use our intuition. We follow all the instructions and still this beekeeping thing remains a beautiful mystery. Remember in the summer when we introduced Elspeth II? We checked and checked for weeks and there were no eggs. Other beekeeping… Continue reading Let the mystery bees be
Hive check on Sunday: no eggs, no larvae, all the capped brood (i.e., gestating baby bees) had hatched out. It's been three weeks, more or less, since we've seen an egg. The colony is in free fall. The existing bees can only live so long. They'll work with bee dedication to collect pollen and nectar… Continue reading Cross your fingers or feelers, as applicable
You know how things are going along just fine and you think, "Hey, I've got a handle on this life"? Inevitably, that's about twelve hours before you're reminded that life is a black box, where things appear smooth and calm and comprehensible from the outside, but, oh, what is inside that box, brewing and stewing?… Continue reading What to expect when you’re least expecting
Last week: school. This week: summer vacation. Last week: homework. This week: parties and movies. Last week: rise before 6. This week: sleep until the cats insist I rise. Last week: assigned reading. This week: thick by-chance novels. Last week: schedules. This week: what day is it? Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Not that… Continue reading 52 Photos ~ Busy street
It wasn't that long ago when I bet you were saying to yourself, "When is she going to stop with all the Antarctica posts already?" And there was a time where this blog talked endlessly about house projects. And then bread. And then goats. And now I subject you to endless photos and updates about… Continue reading Friday hive mind
