Ed & the Bees

When I first peered into a beehive several years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. As a general rule, I don't like bugs, especially stinging ones. And the first hive I ever met had an unapologetically unpleasant disposition. When I popped open the top, it was war--a war I was ill-equipped to win. Yet there was something fascinating about these magical little creatures. Their world is so precise, so thoughtful. Their whole way of life can only function when everyone works toward a greater good. Individual egos must be suppressed for the sake of their own survival.

Honey bees are fundamentally honest. If they sting you, they do so for a very particular purpose; and you probably deserve it. They sting you in the front rather than stabbing you in the back. They give up their lives for the good of their colony. We humans could take note.

I knew I wanted to be part of their world. So, here I am--an unlikely beekeeper. I still love the bees, especially since I realized that they are not all as cranky as the first hive that introduced me to their ways. Indeed, most of them are quite pleasant.     

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Unfortunately for me, they make honey. Lots and lots of honey that takes up way too much space in my home. On the bright side, it is remarkably delicious and has all sorts of healthful benefits. You should try some. You'll like it, and I'll have more time and space to get ready for the next harvest. The bees, your buttermilk biscuits, and I will thank you.

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P.S. No bees or beekeepers were harmed in the making of this photo. 

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