Day #394 CPA, Attack Dogs, Bees and Spiders

Right after a baby bee emerges from the cell where she grew from an egg to a larva to a pupa to a worker bee, she starts about doing her work, all the various jobs she's going to handle over her life-span of 6 weeks. I've talked about this process before, and I'm in awe of how orderly the entire process is.

But what about the learning curve? I've read that baby spiders have to practice web-making. Their first efforts tend to be lopsided, poorly anchored, too small, and with the strands too far apart (or too close together). Yes, they have the instinct to build those webs. But instinct needs a little help.

I've never read anything about how bees learn. Are their first efforts less than precise? I've never seen a honey comb where the cells were square instead of hexagonal. I've never seen cells that were too small to hold the pupae. Are the bees absolutely correct from the moment they're born? If I as a beekeeper try to invade a hive, will a newly-born baby bee try to sting me? Or will she leave that job to the grown-up bees?

And what about people's learning curves? We have BIG issues around that. Are people born with the instinct to protect their own? Or do they have to develop that skill?

Last year, as you may know, I took the Citizen's Police Academy, and learned a great deal about the ways in which the officers learn to protect to citizenry. Are people who go into police work simply those who have a more highly developed protection instinct than the rest of us? I don't know. But here's your chance to explore the possibilities.





Remember last January when I posted those pictures of me in the Michelin Man suit -- ain't it purty?-- being attacked by a police dog as part of the Gwinnett Citizens Police Academy? You, too, can make a fashion statement like this ...

The Gwinnett County Police Department has announced that there will be 2 Citizens Police Academies in 2012. Each will last 8 weeks, with the first scheduled to begin April 10. If you know anyone who wants to participate in the 2012 academies have them go to www.gwinnettcpa.com to apply.

If you don’t live in Gwinnett County Georgia, then please check your local police department to see if they offer a citizens academy. It will be well worth your time.

Spread the word! The “Michelin Woman & the Dog” routine is entirely optional.

BEEattitude for Day # 394:

       Blessed are those who try new flowers, for they shall find nectar aplenty.

Day #82 Dog-sitting

Why have I not been talking a whole lot about bees recently? Well, for one thing, it's cold outside, and this time of years bees spend their time in a cluster keeping themselves warm. I'm spending an inordinate amount of time keeping warm myself, since I've been in a writing frenzy recently, and sitting at my desk doesn't get the blood circulating.

I've also been dog-sitting, driving 3 miles each way twice a day to feed and water Belle and Max. And, of course, go on poop patrol with them. I wish I could truly appreciate just how much information these dogs can amass through their noses. Sniffing EVERYTHING is a mission, a purpose, a calling. Or maybe it's just that everything smells so much.

I wonder how bees smell?

I remember sniffing my own forearm a lot when I was a kid, intrigued by the scent. I tried to talk my mother into sharing the joy once, but she turned up her nose and didn't comply. So I had to laugh last night when Belle sniffed one particularly odorous (for her) patch of grass and then looked up at me as if to say, "Okay, it's your turn now." I, like my mother, declined, even though I couldn't see any noticeable poop-lumps there. Now, sitting here, I wonder what new world might have opened to me if I'd knelt down and put my nose to the earth.

I think I'd rather just imagine it instead of doing it.

BEEattitude for Day # 82:

       Blessed are they who are open to new experiences, for they shall be happily surprised. Go smell some dirt, Frannie!

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       The boundless enthusiasm of Belle and Max, and their joy when I walk in the door.

Day #53 Cheyenne at WBU



White-Breasted Nuthatch



There is absoloutely nothing like a greeting from a friendly dog. Every time I walk into Wild Birds Unlimited on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, you'd think I was a queen. I stock up on birdseed there on a real regular basis, so the store dog is used to me.

After a few "I'm-so-happy-you're-here" wags, Cheyenne, a big yellow-lab sweetheart of a dog, flops down to get her tummy rubbed, as if I were the only person alive who does it just right.



Cheyenne, from Wild Birds Unlimited



My bees aren't going to do that next year when I get them installed in the hives on the deck. I imagine they'll notice me when I approach the hive. They may even get used to having me around, but you need a dog for the kind of attention Cheyenne gives. On the other hand, Cheyenne doesn't create honey that I can steal.

Still, she did give me a WBU 2011 Calendar and my very own little package of Poop yesterday. No-no-no, it's not what you think. This Poop is a snack product from Columbia Empire Farms in Oregon, and the label says (I kid you not):

Yellow Lab

Poop

Chocolate Nut Toffee

net wt. 4 oz. (113g)

Ya gotta love a dog that would think of that.

BEEattitude for Day # 53:

       Blessed are dogs, for their love shall heal people. 

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       Local businesses run by people I admire, respect, and enjoy

p.s. I discovered a really cool Bee Person: check out http://www.beeweaver.com/ and take a look at the little video called "Saving the Honey Bees - Hour of Decision."