The hat pattern is a hybrid of a couple of different patterns.

• 1 skein of Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Earth & Sky (5 oz/141 g; 244 yards)
• Size 6 straight needles (or size to obtain gauge)
• Gauge: 20 sts + 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
• CO 84
• Work in K2 P2 ribbing for 8 rows (about 1-1/4 inches)
• Work in stockinette stitch for 40 rows (about 6-1/4 inches)
• BO
• With WS, join with mattress stitch
• With RS, gather top of hat into three equal sections to form a “T” and sew top with binding exposed.
• I embellished with simple tassels, but you could put pompoms or bells if you’d like.

My one-year-old, Charlotte, wears it well with her blue eyes and sandy brown hair.

I am an urban beekeeper in a city where there is are an estimated 200 urban beekeepers just like me. Over the past year or so there has been some considerable effort by very motivated and talented individuals to bring all of us together. So far, it has been through social networking and online forums, which is great.

But as urban beekeeping becomes more prevalent (and, dare I say, hip — see New York Magazine’s recent spread on urban beekeepers in The Big Apple) in this country, so it happens that those who have a life-long fear of bees (or whom have recently become fearful because of media hype about Africanized bees) become concerned about being surrounded by beekeepers. All it takes is one story of someone being “attacked” by bees and the whole city is up in arms. It makes me think that being more formally associated with a larger group might bring a semblance of order to this endeavor.

My first and major interest in being a part of an beekeepers association or society is education and outreach. While the practice of beekeeping has been around for centuries, it would serve the community well to have access to knowledgeable beekeepers willing to share their expertise and experience with those who may not understand what beekeeping entails or educate those who are fearful of bees. Any time I have ever shared my bees with others I have always heard the same types of reactions: “They’re so mellow!” or “This isn’t as scary as I thought it would be.” I am convinced that all people need is to see other people interacting harmoniously with bees and many of those irrational fears will be waylaid.

Secondly, my husband Ryan and I are adamant about practicing sustainable, non-chemotherapeutic beekeeping methods. This means that we do not use pesticides, miticides, or antibiotics on our bees and we encourage our fellow beekeepers to do the same. We also speak with our neighbors to inform them of the harmful outcomes of pesticides on bees and how research has shown long-term detrimental affects of utilizing such products on plants and bee colonies. Our belief is that you do not need to use chemotherapeutic methods in beekeeping. There are other methods that are non-toxic to bees and plants and that don’t show up in our honey supply. So the goal of an association might be to promote what I call “best practices” in beekeeping. This does not mean that there is only one way to keep bees, but there are responsible ways and irresponsible ways to keep bees. Why not share the good methods and enhance the world for all of us?

Also, to associate might be a good way to protect our interests. There have been recent stories about people damaging and destroying hives with chemicals and education and outreach is the one way to get people to be less fearful and more responsible, while also protecting the significant investment of time and money beekeepers put into their practices. If we are to protect ourselves, we need to have a collective voice in terms of policy.

And finally, to associate helps the bees. I love the honey bee and believe that they are one of the essential elements that will facilitate our survival on this planet. If we humans can unify in our desire to protect the bees, we will be doing so to protect our own continued existence.

A recent story about a woman’s dogs being killed by bee stings has prompted this question. First, my condolences to the woman for her loss. I would be beside myself emotionally if I came home to find my dogs in severe shock from bee stings. But rather than simply state that bees are dangerous to all and that beekeepers and city officials are irresponsible for not “regulating” bees, it’s important to look at the circumstances of the event and reflect upon one important thing:

Bees are stinging insects. They are also wild creatures, and like any wild creature (or civilized one, for that matter) they will protect themselves and their colony to the death if need be. Typically, swarming bees are incredibly docile because (a) they are completely engorged with honey in preparation for their long journey, and (b) they are focused on one thing — finding a new home. I have been told that when you see a cluster of bees that have swarmed you can put your bare hand right in the middle of the cluster and they will not sting you. Indeed, whenever you see people wearing “bee beards” they are usually a swarm. However, if they are disturbed in any way or made to feel under attack (for example if they are sprayed with a pesticide or barked or chomped at by curious dogs) they will no doubt retaliate. They are constructed the way they are for this very simple reason.

That said, I have four hives in my backyard each housing about 60,000 to 100,000 bees. My 9-month-old daughter, my husband, my dog, and I all work, play, and relax in our backyard without fear. Occasionally, a curious bee will come around seeking water or something sweet. Also, when recently robbed of their honey they have been known to send out what my husband and I call “sentinels” to track those evil humans who just stole their hard-earned booty. These sentinels — usually one or two bees at most –  will buzz around our heads antagonistically as if to say, “I know you!”, but never have we gotten stung. We just take it as a sign to give the girls a wide berth until they calm down. This never takes more than one or two days post-harvest.

I have never heard a complaint from any of my neighbors. My elderly neighbor to the north loves my bees for her garden. She said she notices more bees clustered around her bird bath, but even when she gets close to refill the basin they have never stung or antagonized her. My backyard neighbor loves to smoke meats and we give him quarts of honey for his smoked hams. He has told us that he now does not use pesticides on his vegetable garden to protect our bees. Another neighbor operates a preschool and has a pool in her back yard. I have never heard from her that a child has gotten stung or that bees are overrunning her pool for water.

So, is beekeeping safe? Yes. Good beekeepers — urban or otherwise — do everything in their power to ensure the safety of their bees and the safety of their neighbors. Are bees safe? Yes, but to deny their instinct to protect themselves is to deny nature. Bees are eusocial insects and they will protect themselves and their colony if necessary. But let us remember that they do not do this on whim. Unlike wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets that can sting multiple times, bees die when they sting because their stinger stays in the victim and the stinger is connected to the bees entrails. So when they respond to a threat, they know they have to make it count.

If you are curious about bees or afraid of bees I encourage you to find a local beekeeper and talk to them. As a child, I was horrified of bees. I would run, swat, and scream if one came near me. Now I allow myself to be covered in them. I deeply admire their singularity of purpose, their commitment to one another, and of course the sweet nectar that they allow me to steal from them. They are, to me, the most beautiful creature on earth. I would love to share that love with whomever is interested.

Again, the death of the dogs is tragic. But we cannot, as a community, throw the baby out with the bath water. Our world is filled with enough fear and terror already — the last thing we need is to add bees to that long list, especially since they are so vital to our own survival.

Go out and hug a bee today.

• 1 c. organic whole wheat flour
• 1 c. organic white flour
• 1/4 c. vegetable oil
• 1/3 c. soy milk
• 1 egg (I actually use flax instead of eggs. 1 egg = 1 tbsp fax+3 tbsp. water)
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 c. mashed ripe bananas

Whisk oil, egg, and milk together. Whisk in honey. Add flour, salt, baking powder. Mixture will be thick and lumpy. Put in greased muffin pan (I use the one with large cups). Bake at 400 degrees for 20 mins. Makes six large muffins. Yum!

It’s been too long since I’ve posted anything on this. TWO YEARS! Totally unacceptable. Lots has changed. Married, five hives, ABD doctoral student, and a baby daughter. Will post new stuff soon!

XXOO

Monica

Yesterday I went out to do a hive check and was greeted by an amazing site. Two weeks ago, the frames in top hive body were empty save for a small mushroom-shaped conglomeration of wax. There were many bees working diligently, however, so I knew I’d have to check them again. What I found yesterday I totally did not expect.

All of the frames in the top hive body were almost totally drawn out and at least three of them were filled with eggs and larvae. The mushroom-shaped wax had take over the whole frame. (See photo below.) I guess when I put the frames in there I did not space them correctly so the bees built outward. When I pulled the frame out, the wax ripped and some ripe larvae fell out. {Sniff}

Then I noticed that there were two supersedure cells on one frame. The supersedure cells are usually high up on the frame and are built when the bees are planning on rearing a new queen. The two cells were empty, which is normal. However, when I pulled out another frame to my surprise there was a peanut shaped cell that was closed…a new queen! I totally panicked and had Ryan drive me immediately to Ken Hays’ place in Bosque Farms to get some more supers and figure out what to do with this new queen cell. If she hatched, she might just naturally take over as the old queen dies. However, this is swarm season. If she hatches and the hive is too cramped and croweded, they will swarm.

Ken told me exactly what to do so today was a nerve-wracking two hours of working on my hives. Here’s what I did…

1. I put three hive bodies out and took out all the frames.
2. I took apart my whole hive, separating the brood frames from the honey frames and placing them in their own new hive bodies.
3. Then I took the frame with the queen cell and put it in its own hive body along with one frame of honey and brood.
4. Then I stacked the old hive — honey frames on the bottom and brood frames second — then added two honey supers with only eight empty frames.
5. The new “nuc” hive I set aside and put emtpy frames in there.
6. I put grease patties in the old hive so help with the mite population.

A friend of ours, Chris Koza, was here visiting and wanted to watch the whole endeavor. Thank goodness, because his questions and observations made me more centered as I worked. Otherwise I would have been a nervous wreck. However, when pulled out the last frames a huge chunk of wax and honey fell off sending the bees into a frenzy. That’s when Chris tapped out. The cloud of aggitated bees was too much for him to handle.

I kept diligently working however, and managed to put everything together. Then I immediately called Jerry Anderson and told him what I did. He reassured me that I had accomplished all the appropriate steps and now I just have to wait.

So what will happen next? In about a week to ten days I will peek into the old hive to see how the colony is filling the top honey supers. Jerry said they may be full of honey in a week or two!!! With the “nuc” hive I have to wait about three weeks to see any progress. Right now the bees in there are young nurse bees, who are only concerned with taking care of the brood. The queen will likely hatch in five to seven days and then go on her one mating flight, after which she will start to lay eggs. Jerry said I should be able to peek in after three weeks and see newly laid eggs — that is if the new young queen is doing her job.

The whole affair was absolutely amazing and yet I am so nervous to see what happens next. I was so nervous that I did not do the clean job that I usually do and I’m sitting here thinking of all the things I’d like to do over. But for now I just have to watch them and let nature take it’s course.\

I realized that the ants were after the sugar water I had in the hive-top feeder. So I immediately geared up and set to taking the feeder off and dumping it out.

I didn’t do a full hive inspection, but rather just looked at the frames in the top box. These frames have been empty all winter, but now the bees have begun to draw them out with beautiful white comb. Out of the twelve empty frames I’d say that about five are being drawn out; one has a beautiful mushroom shaped comb blooming out of it.

After we removed the sugar water, Ryan disrupted the few ant piles in the vicinity and within about 15 minutes the number of ants dwindled to just a few. Whew!