Day #162 A Pretty Good Life

I heard from H & L Bee Farm, saying that the pick-up date for the bees probably won’t be until April 10^th. Part of me says phooey because I want to get them sooner, but another part of me is relieved. There’s still so much to do before they get here.

We’ve had so much rain I haven’t finished staining the deck yet. I don’t want to be slapping a paintbrush around while my bees are getting used to their new location.

Meanwhile, all those seeds my grandchildren and I started inside are outgrowing their little pots, but it’s still a bit too early to transplant them outside.

I don’t have my boxes branded yet, although my branding iron from Brand New is waiting patiently in what used to be the family room but is steadily being transferred into the Bee Equipment Launching Pad.

On top of work (5 doctoral dissertations and 2 novels to edit, plus my own book to write, a seminar presentation to prepare, and some book clubs to speak to), I agreed last week to serve as the treasurer for the Gwinnett Choral Guild. It’s a community 501(c)(3) choir, and I know I really should do my part, which is why I agreed to take on the position. Everybody’s busy, so the simple fact that I’m busy is not an excuse.

Still, I’m drawing a line here and now:

I’m not volunteering for ANYTHING ELSE!!!!!

I’ll work. I’ll do what’s necessary around the house. I’ll connect with my family and friends. I’ll give blood every other month. I’ll knit and sing. I’ll walk and garden and read. I’ll uphold my volunteer commitments, care for my cats, take care of myself, and play at beekeeping.

Come to think of it, that sounds like a pretty good life, doesn’t it?

BEEattitude for Day # 162:

       Blessed are those who know what they want to do in life, for they shall be infinitely satisfied.

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       My comfy old sweatpants    

http://www.franstewart.com

Day #131 The Garden is Getting Ready

Remember those beet seeds I planted WAY too early almost a month ago? They’ve started to come up. Now I have to worry about the weather.

public domain photo

And the sweet peas, zinnia, portulaca, and dill my grandkids sowed in the seed-starter pots? They’re up, too, straining to overgrow the grow-light I have above them. Too early to put them outside. Running out of room in my office, where they’re perched on the top of a long filing cabinet.

Yikes! What do I do?

public domain photo

Bees are smart. They wait until the weather is exactly right. Of course, if these early plants make it, I’ll have beets and flowers and herbs ready to pick in no time at all.

I think I like the suspense! And the fact that I won't have to wonder if the dandelions will survive...

BEEattitude for Day # 131:

       Blessed are those who plant, for they shall reap the benefits.

       And blessed are those who let the weeds grow, for they shall reap benefits as well.

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       The full moon last night    

http://www.franstewart.com

Day #124 Starting Seeds

Don't start your seeds until Valentine's Day. That's what Brennan Washington of Phoenix Gardens told me when I took his seed-starting class.

But my grandkids were here last Monday, and the little seed-starting pellets were all lined up waiting, and the pictures on the seed packets looked so inviting. We filled 72 "pockets" in the seed tray and turned on the light above them. I should have paid attention to Brennan's instructions to group like-minded seeds together. 



Public Domain Photo of Bee on Zinnia



Some of them germinate in 3 days and some of them in 10. Once the seedlings have sprouted, I'm supposed to take the plastic cover off so they can get air circulation. But here I am with a dozen infant zinnias climbing to the light (and probably suffocating in the humidity), while the other 60 seeds lie around waiting for Valentine's Day.

I'm doing this for the bees, so they'll have plenty of nectar-bearing plants to choose from. I'm doing it wrong, though. Is it too late to start over again?

BEEattitude for Day # 124:

       Blessed are those who send answers to the bee jokes, for we shall get to laugh at the replies. 

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       Lunching with my daughter.    

http://www.franstewart.com