The Resonant Hum Of Bees

It’s in the fifties today, although snow is supposedly in the forecast. We took a break from our day to visit the apiary. I’m not sure it can be called an apiary yet, because we only have one hive so far. Next year, we’ll add two more hives: the Warre’ and long hives we recently purchased. We’ll try to source our bees locally this time if possible. But for today, the bees are active and buzzing around the hive. The air isn’t really warm enough for distance travel, so they seem to be staying close to home. The mouse guard is over the front of the hive, reducing the entrance, but the bees don’t mind.

It’s been cold lately, and the bees tend to stay inside to keep warm. Standing next to the hive with all the bees flying around me made me realize much I miss them. And it’s only been a couple of weeks since their activity lessened. I have no idea what I’m going to do without them this winter. I’ve only been a bee mom since June, and I already need a twelve-step program.

I lovingly turned a wooden feeder for syrup into a two sided candy board with pollen cakes hidden as a treat on each side. Rumor has it they like things like that. My husband strapped down the hive to the platform on which it sits. Central Oregon is known for high winds. In fact, I had no idea what wind was until I experienced it the first summer we lived here. I’m not sure the wind ever stopped, unless it was over 90 degrees in the shade. And typically that was when the ground striking lightning would begin. Seventeen years in to our nearly thirty-fives years here, we bought a heat pump. I was sick of the wood stove and I wanted air conditioning. It’s pure heaven, particularly when hot flashes run amok.

I understand why people sit next to their hives, watching, waiting, listening, resonating with the bees. I become part of the hum, immersed in their resonance. I feel no fear, though I’m surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of bees. I really had no idea it would be this way. I couldn’t have ever imagined the comfort they give, how comforted I feel by them. I’ll plant even more flowers next Spring, giving them as much diversity as possible. And I’ll wait for the one that hovers in front of my face while sitting in the gazebo, blessing me with her friendship.

 

~Blessings to all!