March of Fall

The rhythm of the days are changing... you can see it in the quality of the light, the position of the sun and the picture-perfect days. There is plenty to do, and I sometimes think of that old tale about he grasshopper and the ant. And actually there are many signs even for casual observers like myself. The quantity of crickets in the yard as I mow the late summer grass has increased, small frogs are starting to show up in all sorts of places around the house and down near the brook, and greater quantities of sparrows and finches are visiting the thistle feeders.

So, what does all this mean as one season passes across another? Well, I have always held a theory that for every day in the year there is an equal day - in light, temperature, and balance - on the other side of the calendar. I know, it is hard to explain, but on a morning like today, as I write this and look out over the Pequit Brook I am sure that the same light is filtering through the trees and the air feels the same as that picture perfect day several months ago and a few seasons back. So, there is my crazy seasonal theory.

Just received some great little cards to help promote the site as well as use a business cards. You should really check out the great cards at Moo.com. Silly me made a mistake on the first print run and neglected to get my telephone number correctly. I was crestfallen, because I loved the cards, but there was no way I could use them. I wrote a quick note to the folks at Moo and asked for an "idiot Discount" on a reprint. Very quickly I got an email from Dan M. stating "We do not offer an idiot discount, however we do offer a one time only, mistake reprint!" and lo and behold, the kind folks in England behind the printing press kindly send a new batch. I can not say enough about this great service. I urge you to create a set for yourself and for the shear joy of sharing make your talents known to the world, or at least those around you.

In Preparation
Summer is in full swing as the bees have been very active this season. Of course, the image of the Dragonfly is not one of my bees, but apt imagery for the languid summer days that are fast beating by.

As a harbinger of the Fall and noticing the rhythm of the hive, the bees have begun the process of sealing the hive for the colder weather. They have been filling every crack and every opening with propolis and have been tending to the hive every chance they get. They must have a list of things to do that has been programmed and wired into their short lives. They make a dash for the large white blooms of the hydrangea at the corner of the house. They make a beeline for the loosestrife that borders the brook winding behind their hives. Busy workers are packing cells and the Queen is laying her brood. They are deciding which of the drones will stay the winter and which will be set outside when the October winds blow. Now, of course, I have humanized the very thought that they have a list. But actually they have a time and course that has been set by the seasons and the Sun.

Of course, I too have a list. The honey harvest is not far off. I have been trying to figure out the best day to get in there and clear the hives of the five supers full of fresh honey. I suppose that I should get that done before the end of August. In fact, I woke up early this morning and was planning the steps to getting all my equipment ready. Clean the extractor, set-up the sieve and get some clean new buckets and pails. I have a stack of jars at a friend's house just waiting in his garage. I dawdled over a few catalogs, and made a few plans to set up some more equipment.

I would love some new labels, and get that small honey stand set-up in the front yard. I did manage to order some promotional cards for this blog in the hopes that spreading the word will halp me become a more active blogger, um, I mean beekeeper.

So many things to do, and such ambitious plans... almost like my honeybees; except they actually will complete all there tasks, I on the other hand, well... time will tell.

That is all from Postfield.

The concept of "consideration" for others... is this an old-fashioned concept and do people still understand the necessity of consideration?