"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage."
C. S. Lewis

First Day of Spring - Two Days Later



23 March 2011

It was a snowy morning on Monday - and yet it was Spring. Annie the d.o.g. (she doesn't know she is a dog) and I decided to give the snow shoes some use and took off on a walk. The daffodils were covered by snow . . .


With 3 to 4 inches of snow - it truly is a "blanket" of quiet. The only sounds we heard was the snow lightly falling from the trees as we took our walk. Snow shoes force you to pace yourself as you take slow, purposeful steps - always looking ahead to where you will place your foot.



We've had six days of snow this winter - so we take advantage of these opportunities when we can.

The air was invigorating - and it was a great way to start the morning.



19 March 2011

"Of Sacred Bees, the Muses' Birds" Charles Butler

-Bees, beehives, honey bees, queen bees, wax, honey - if you care to follow this adventure with me. You read that right, just picked up the beginnings of two bee hives. If you've paid attention to the "bee" news in the last few years - you might have read about the threat to honey bee colonies that are dying due to a mysterious bacteria. Sometimes called, "colony collapse" - it has decimated bees across this country. Many people have taken up the challenge to start hives - thus genetically strengthening the bee population. On the plus side, your hive will produce honey for you as well as bee pollen, propolis, and beeswax (candles). All we need is to provide them a warm, safe place to live with access to water.

Picked up our bee hive boxes today along with a bee suit, hat, veil, gloves, smoker etc. As we get further along we will go through all of these one by one.

We have ordered our first two "starter" colonies, due for pick up in late April, early May. Stay tuned!