So. Yesterday I received news that Deb’s Uncle Doyle in Waco, Kentucky has collected tons of honey this year. Over the years he’s kept many hives, but now that he’s older he keeps only one—simply because he loves it…the heat in all that protective clothing keeps him from expanding his little operation again.
Anyway, I was bummed. Which, I quickly admit, is a lousy response to such news. It’s not that I’m bummed for him, I’m bummed for me. I’m envious. Although I have to say that I’m cherishing what little (gorgeous) honey I collected this year, so I guess you could say that I’m appreciative.
When that look of pain crossed my face, Deb asked me a simple quesion: Why is it that you keep bees? Which made me think for a while. It seems this answer should be simple. Or at least clear. And it’s not.
After much silence, I responded that I want a hobby that is both challenging and rewarding.
There. That’s my answer. So I guess I shouldn’t be entirely disappointed if I don’t harvest loads of honey each year…and in the long run, I’m not. I’m grateful that I’m up to my eyeballs in educating myself, in reading about bees, in thinking about bees, in planning ahead for next year, in developing a beekeeping philosophy, in spreading an interest in bees and beekeeping, in watching what blooms with a new eye, in paying closer attention to the weather, in thinking about the long-term consequences of chemicals in our lives, in aesthetics. Oh, Reader, you know I could go on and on.
Ten more reasons I want to keep bees:
- It’s not boring
- I want to give away honey
- I want my friends to learn more about bees
- Managing hives intellectually challenges me
- Beekeeping is an art
- Most of the time, there is no right or wrong way
- After all the reading and thinking and talking and experimenting, in the end, I have to go with my gut
- Managing hives demands innovation, which is something I need to practice…I’m not entirely comfortable with it.
- I’m going to make some TwoHoneys T-shirts. They’ll be very cool
- Want one?
But, honestly, I’m still amazingly disappointed to have such a small crop of honey this year.