As I sat down to write this intro to kick off our meeting, I was sitting next to a pool full of senior citizens. Big, small, tall, short, round and skinny, they are in all shapes and sizes in their swimwear and oversized sun hats. Some with walkers and some more fit than me. Believe it or not, it was a fun group. I’m heard all sorts of conversations from the grandchildren coming over for a pajama party, to “when’s our next bunko gathering”. I’m even got tips within earshot about early bird specials at Olive Garden. Wow, dinner for two, including unlimited soup and breadsticks for only $8.99? As I sat by the pool listening to the oldies from the Temptations and the Monkeys, I was so relaxed, I even took a nap.
But this peaceful poolside scene that was surrounded by lavender and forging honeybees got me thinking about our hives. August is a month that quiets down for us beekeepers. More than likely, your hives are done swarming. You’re probably not installing any more supers since the nectar flow is all but gone in this dearth month and your inspections have slowed down to every couple of weeks. You know, it’s sort of a summer vacation break from beekeeping, which gives you time to sit at a pool and not worry about being in the bee yard.
Yes, I would be lying to say I have no bee responsibilities… mite checks and pulling some supers are on my mind, but it’s not an urgent matter. I have already tested late in July. So I’m taking it easy cause I know it won’t be long until the heavy work begins for the next season… And when I say heavy, it really is. Like pulling supers and lugging them to my car, or carrying 5-gallon buckets of winter feed across the yard. Blah, blah, blah. We all know the drill.
But for now, my next weekend plans … hmmm, perhaps I’ll be back at my mother-in-law’s pool learning all I need to know about knee replacements, the next senior church trip, or learning why butter is better when making the best oatmeal raisin cookies .. and I’m okay with that.
So fellow beekeepers, let’s enjoy this August lull together – we’ve earned it!