Well..I hope it was worth the wait.
My internet connection in Minnesota leaves something to be desired.
I would sit down in the morning sometimes and start to upload
pics, but I would get timed out and then would just go outside and
start gardening. I cant even begin to describe how good it feels to be
away from a computer screen for a whole week. I know that we are all connected
here online, and that the computer has really taken a centerpiece role in most
of our lives (business, socializing, shopping, learning), but we might all
get a little more juice out of life if we can get outside a bit more.
I was approaching the idea of posting last week almost like doing homework.
I really just wanted to be outside, but felt obligated to post something. Instead
of being sane and just doing small quick posts, I felt that I would have to do
a monster post with lots of pics and text...taking an hour usually. Seriously,
sometimes a post will easily take an hour with uploading and arranging photos.
Just keep it short and simple, right?
These were the two hives that I picked up on Thursday right after getting back
from Los Angeles. I got there at 4:45, and had to wait around until about 9:15
until all the bees were back inside the hive. It was fine though, because I just picked wild foods the whole time, and even found some catnip that I hope to reestablish in my garden later on.
I then loaded them into the back of this little Toyota Yaris (actually a really cool car, way cheaper than a Prius and has just about the same mileage) and then had to drive a grueling 5 hours north.
I was half asleep, my butt was KILLING me from sitting on airplane and car seats all
day and night, and bees were climbing up my pants and shirt. I didn't get stung though, but it was one of the most trying experiences Ive had in a LONG time.
After having to pull over twice and take a nap, I made it home around 4am, unloaded the bees and cleaned the car so my mom would have it ready for her in the morning for work, and then went finally to bed. Id been up since 5am the previous morning, and with all that driving...it just really wears on a person. PLEASE...if you are driving and are getting the "sleepies", just pull into a rest stop, lock your car, and take a nap. You dont want to swerve into oncoming traffic or the ditch on the side of the road. Its just not worth it. I was eating bee pollen like mad too, and that didnt keep me going. However, I did have a few apples, and the sugar did pep me up a bit.
We tried to pick up the bees a week before that, but we got there really late and there was a tree blocking the road because of a lightning storm. After breaking off the large branches that were blocking the edge of the road, we were on our way again. We were literally one mile away from the hives...I was wondering if this was a sign. We were scared about getting struck by lighting, so we ended up taking empty hives (total newcomer mistake) and then proceeded to drive 5 hours with no bees.
This pic is from the second time I was there. You can see how the shed is metal and the old bee hives were at the base of the metal basketball hoop. I seriously thought I was going to be struck by lightning that night. Aaron had deja vu right then too, and I was wondering if he foresaw his own death and whether or not we were both goners. But...here I am. Alive and well (minus a little poison ivy on my arm).
Patience...
AND...the new site is UP!!!! I hope everyone loves it! MASSIVE thanks to Dawn, Dhru, and Rajiv for really making this happen. There is simply no way that this could have ever turned out so well without you three. Endless thanks.
No more huge delays, Ive learned my lesson. I did make lots of videos and Ill be
sure to help everyone with the wheatgrass questions and will be writing lots soon.
-Anthony
