Yesterday, I spent some time getting to know a new friend who keeps bees and donkeys. Hubba-Hubba-Husband and I met her last year when we enjoyed an outstanding day at a garden tour of the little town to the east. She happened to own the 6th house we visited on our tour. At the time, we had no idea that beekeeping would become our new hobby. We were scouting for ideas to dress up Winterpast in new shrubs, trees, and flowers.
The first thing I noticed about her gorgeous farm was that everything was neat and tidy. Having been queen bee at my very own farm, I know this isn’t an easy thing to do. Even her chickens were strutting around with fluffed feathers. The miniature donkeys were off to the side, cute as any I’ve ever seen in my life. Her beautiful farm was everything a little farm should be, enchanting in every way.
Each home we visited offered an assortment of treats and ice-cold lemonade or tea. Each home owner was there to answer questions about their yard. At the time, we had been dating about ten months. We took notes about ideas for Winterpast.
We learned that she had just split and transplanted hundreds of lavender bushes for the bees. The day couldn’t have been nicer, except another group arrived at the same time we did and so we didn’t choose to stay and visit.
Fast forward to last Saturday, there she was leading a meeting for new bee keepers. These professionals and hobbyists were patient and kind, taking time to answer ever single question our group could think to ask.
Before lunch, she came to our table, letting us know where we should buy our bees. BEEKS (short for beekeepers) from the area would transport the bees, saving us a trip to Cali. No question was left unanswered and we left buzzing with excitement.
Since then, I’ve contacted her several times. As it turns out, we have so much in common, it might take a lifetime to get through everything we must talk about. When two teachers meet, never is there a loss of topics for discussion. Even more so when the two teachers have farmed, garden, keep bees, and blog. God works in mysterious ways when helping humans make new friends. And so, our hive grows.
Thanks to sage advice from our new friend, our bees are ordered and will be arriving April 7th. With plenty of guidance, we chose the Saskatraz variety, originally developed in Saskatchewan, Canada. I don’t know if bees come with little parkas, but these will handle the cold of the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada. They love being clean and HATE the dreaded mites.
One of the best things about any hobby is the friends you make. Beekeeping will be no different. Our common hobby is something fun for the young, old, and those of us in between. Even honeymooners like us.
With spring-like weather this week, you’ll find HHH and me outside with our pruning shears. Evenings will find us pouring over seed catalogs, selecting just the right fruits, vegetables, and flowers rich in nectar and pollen. Our dreams will overflow with all the fun plans we’ll make for this summer while enjoying something new.
Whatever you do, embrace change. There might be something different you can try in your yard. Add a new kind of flower, vegetable, or herb. Grow something colorful. Spring is only 55 days away. You’ve got plenty of time to plan!!!!