Actions always speak louder than words

“A firefighter’s death is a reminder to all of us how much we need each other,” O’Malley said. “There can be no real community, there cannot be human existence, without sacrifice, courage, love.”

Right on.

I am learning to see what people do and not listen to what they say they will do. It's a rough lesson.

I know, it's not about bees, but my heart is still breaking from this tragedy. It tests my faith-Why do the people who have so much integrity and commitment die? How many people will mourn you and your contribution?

With a heavy heart,
Kalliope

Honey Dust

Ah, honey dust...the general reaction has been along the lines of, "cool," with a bit of bank stare, or pause at the other end of the phone. Well, folks, I am making it and it will be for sale at the farm stand this summer. I know my Woods Hole girls are all about it!
Last night was the Annual Meeting for Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod. The get-together was at Cape Cod Beer, in Hyannis. The food was made by Pizza Barbone-super yummy! It was great fun talking with land and sea farmers, state senator Dan Wolf (he is a beekeeper!), and generally connecting with the ag crowd on The Cod.
Back to honey dust...I am working on my recipe and it will definitely include gold (organic!) dust. Email me if you want a sample in June or July...
All my love,
Kalliope

Peace, love, and 'appiness

What is better than a lovely spring morning? Working on bee equipment, listening to the best reggae show, with anticipation for the best day. The Boston firefighter ordeal has been on my mind. What heroes, what loyalty, and what honor. I admire and respect men and women who have that level of integrity and dedication to public service. They are a little like honey bees: protective of each other; fiercely loyal; always getting the job done. No whining. No cowards. Respect! I am grateful to be brave enough to face life and have courage to live it to the best of my ability. 
This week I've been blessed to spend time with my beautiful, smart, and funny teenager,Olivia Blackburne Rose. She's been away at at school all winter. I've missed her lots and its been a cruel winter here in the Northeast. We have been talking, shopping around, eating, loving on each other, being honest, waxing...getting massages, sushi, friends, and seeing movies! 
A short reflection on The Worst Winter in decades...well, it is over and life and love springs eternal, thankfully. This past late winter I've been running a lot, practicing yoga, getting lots of massages, writing, meditating, and taking great care of myself. It has been fantastic. A couple of demons appeared, both real and imagined, and I was amazed that I have the strength to address the crap life tests us with. Like the tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, etc. that are emerging from the frozen earth, such is life, love, and hope.
Today is going to be the best day ever with my daughter, topped by the best dinner! Sending you smoke fairy bees to shower you with honey dustings of love, Kalliope

California calling...

I just booked my flight out to San Francisco! My heart definitely lives there, it's the city of my birth. 1969, yo! One of the places that is on the itinerary is Beekind, a great shop in Sebastopol. 
Another place i love to go and is on my agenda is in Calistoga. Wine, bees, geysers, and some Half Moon Bay! New England has been cold, in so many ways, this winter. Bleh! I am looking forward to warm, sunny, loving California!

Beautiful Day on the Cod

Wow...warm, late winter sunshine. The crocus, snowdrops, and witch hazel are  blooming. The bees are flying! I made some spring syrup today for them. Now, for a little spring e e cummings...

 sweet spontaneous

earth how often have

the

doting

 

fingers of

prurient philosophers pinched

and

poked

 

thee

, has the naughty thumb

of science prodded

thy

 

beauty, how

often have religions taken

thee upon their scraggy knees

squeezing and

 

buffeting thee that thou mightest conceive

gods

(but

true

 

to the incomparable

couch of death thy

rhythmic

lover

 

thou answerest

 

them only with

 

spring)

Read more at http://www.poetry-archive.com/c/o_sweet_spontaneous.html#tXll4Da6THdf1OYQ.99

Thinking about the bees

Oooh, it's frosty and very snowy on Cape Cod today. Barnstable Village is powder puffed in glittery, sparkly, fluffy snow. It's very cold outside. My mind is wandering to those hives tucked up behind the silver birch, semi-protected by the ancient stone wall. Are they alive? Hungry? Cozy?
A couple of weeks ago the temperatures 'soared' into the early 50s. When I say 'soared,' that's up from 9 or so degrees. :( I sat on the bench and watched the hives. Several were pretty active, one was not (my weak hive from the spring of 2013), and one was bleh, just a couple of bees. So, we shall see.
I left lots of honey in these new hives (spring 2013) and fed them fall sugar syrup, and straight up sugar misted with a bit of water on a bed of newspaper. I did not tar paper their shacks, but rather put styrofoam insulation on outside top and the sides facing west. The hives are tilted quite a bit forward, hopefully draining any dampness right out. Poor cold bees.
Tim and I ordered 5 more packages, which is pretty exciting. Am contemplating top-bar for a couple and maybe a Warre hive or two. That remains to be seen. I got rather pumped up thinking about these methods after hearing Sam Comfort, of Anarchy Apiaries speak at the Barnstable County Beekeepers Association meeting this past fall.
Sending you some smoke fairy bees to keep you healthy and happy this mid-winter day.
All my love.

Sam Comfort's Anarchy Apiaries