November 2, 2011
Well, the wedding bells have gone quiet, the honey is all harvested, the bees are all tucked in for the winter and things are still abuzz with activity around here. You'd think things would quiet down a bit but that's not the case. The cooler temperatures of fall here in the very deep south bring everyone outdoors - to hunt, fish, garden, play, and attend the many festivals that are available during this time of year. We make sure not to overdo participating in these events, and at the same time put in extra work so we can. Meeting the public and answering questions about honeybees in God's creation is always a pleasure.
This has been a crazy fun week. Yesterday a great team of Wiregrass Beekeeper members met at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds and put up, what I think, may be our best exhibit booth yet. I can't share a photo, *yet*, but will after the booth judging. We typically come in second or third every year.
Today our Recyclers Group met for what has become a quarterly event. Good homemakers that we try to be, we clean closets and drawers to discard/ clean out/ throw out/ eliminate unused and unwanted clothing and household items. We box or bag it up, meet, and go through each others stuff. The goal is to leave with much LESS than you came with. What is not claimed by someone who will actually use it is donated to a charity. This has become a fun event and if you are in the area and think you would like to participate, send me an email at roshorton@gmail.com to be put on the email list. We've been blessed to see a lot of good done for a lot of people and today's cache will be donated to the Shepherd's Staff in Montgomery.
Closer to home . . . we have babies! Our murdering mother hen (seriously - she is a murdering little so and so) hatched her second batch of chicks this year - ten little peepy fluff balls on legs. I have to admit, for all her murdering of Norman's baby chicks last spring, she has redeemed herself by replacing them, three times over now. And she is a good mother to her chicks. My mom saw her tangle with a chicken hawk last summer, and the hawk left hungry.
And it looks like we've almost got Dale County Bee Buddies off the ground! This is a 4-H club for young people ages 9 and up who are interested in honeybees and honeybee related crafts, projects, etc. We meet once a month after hours for a fun program and activity. Same email as above if your young person is interested. I have to tell you - this is one of the most *fun* things I've ever been involved in. Last week we made fire starters with wax and. Nov. 17 we'll be making beeswax Christmas Ornaments.
Last but not least, and really, most importantly - last month saw a life goal, a dream come true for me as I passed my first test on the way to becoming a Master Beekeeper. As if that was not enough, and to make things all the sweeter - my close friends, Dee Boylan and Justin Saunders, did the same. I'm so, so VERY proud of them both. Congratulations!
Ros Horton
Dale Co. Alabama