Month: March 2017

Beekeeping

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment
DSC_0158

Putting a 3 pound package in a hive.

It was 49 degrees when I showed up at the Jefferson County Beekeepers Association’s bee yard.  It was overcast and drizzling somewhat however the beekeepers who had ordered their bees didn’t let the weather dampen their spirits.  A big thank you to Scott Moser and the Jefferson County Bee Association and all their hard work to make this possible.

DSC_0154

Pulling the cork  over the candy in the queen box.

I think the question I get most about beekeeping is “How do I get started?  My suggestion is to find a local beekeeping club and start attending their meetings.  Most of the time there is someone there who can answer your questions and help you get started.  I also suggest getting some books on beekeeping and read as much as you can.  Just keep in mind that sometimes it doesn’t seem the bees read the book.

DSC_0137

Three pound package of bees.

Each beekeeper has their own preference as whether to buy a nuc or a package.  My preference is packages like the one above.  Sometimes your local beekeeper associations order packages.  Both have their pros and cons.  The queen in a nuc is all ready acclimated with the rest of the colony so it can be easier for a beginner to start with.  Packages arrive with the queen in a box separate from the rest of the colony and has to be introduced to the colony slowly.

DSC_0180

Hive with two eight frame brood supers.

Four popular breeds of bees are Italians, Russians, Caucasians and Carniolians.  Again they each have their pros and cons.  Decide what kind of beekeeper you want to be, hobbyist, commercial, small honey production etc., then read about the breeds and talk to local beekeepers then decide which breed will work best for you.

DSC_0175

Package tucked away in the hive.

You also need to decide if you want 10 or 8 frame hives.  The obvious pro to the 8 is when full of honey it is lighter than the 10.  Do your research and talk to experienced beekeepers before you get started and decide what will work for you.

Thanks for reading.  I hope I was of some help and you found the blog informational. Remember to plant bee friendly plants.  Be kind to one another, share the love and God Bless you one and all.

 

Early Morning on the Bourbeuse River

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment
13938440_10153900400868041_1467869205937348889_n

Bourbeuse River near Union, MO

“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of which comes; so with present time.”  Leonardo da Vinnci

It was an early fall morning.  The temperature was in the forties and the fog seemed to be dancing as it rose from off the water.  As I shoved the yak off the boat ramp and out into the moving water my heart began to race with excitement.  The fog was so thick that it was blocking sunlight and it was somewhat of an eerie sight.  Fish had all ready began feeding and you could hear and see them hitting the top of the water.  I quickly paddled upstream to a point in the river where I would turn the yak downstream and fish my way back to the boat ramp.

I reached my destination and pulled up on a gravel bar and prepped my rod and reels and chose the baits I would tie on.  I slowly began my way back down the river and began casting.  Around the fifth cast I felt something pick up the Charlie Slider worm and take off with it.  I set the hook and the fight was on.  It wasn’t very big but I was using an ultra light with 4 pound test line which made it feel like a 5 pounder.

11231688_10153106875803041_2925017138980132812_n

Small largemouth bass.

As I floated and fished my mind began to work overtime.  I wondered; did Native Americans ever float this area, who was the first settlers that found this area, what is the biggest bass that was ever caught here etc..  I thought to myself how grateful I am to be able to see the beauty of the river first hand and experience the peacefulness that abounds in the early morning hours on the river.

11990378_10153165676898041_5889777444624569250_n

Bourbeuse River

As I floated around a bend in the river and eyed two deer drinking water at the end of a sand bar.  I was almost close enough to touch them when they noticed me and bolted into the woods.  Further down the river i came upon a beaver who wasn’t very happy with me trespassing on his part of the river. Wildlife is abundant on the river this morning.

11855688_10153107735468041_6490598478648465203_n

Bourbeuse River

As I approach the boat ramp I am overcome with some sadness as the morning float comes to an end.  It was a great morning.  The batteries were recharged and the mind was cleansed and the soul rejuvenated.  Caught some fish and filled my mind with the beauty of the river.  Life is good.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  I hope you enjoyed and if you did be sure to let me know.  Be kind to one another, share the love and God Bless you one and all.

 

 

Friendship

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment

17155812_10154496406418041_2137838571710615748_n

Today I was lucky enough to have lunch with some friends from high school.  We are all graduates of the class of 1972.  Out of the five David Tripp has the title of longest friend.  We have been friends since second grade.  I was one of those that fought being a part of social media however, we were all reunited by social media.  For that I am thankful.

On the drive home I had some windshield time and I thought about how our friendships had endured over all the years.  It was like we hadn’t really been apart.  I also started thinking about friendship and how many different types of friendships there are and the following is what I came up with in my mind.

Associates:  I consider these friends, people who you may work with or interact with on occasion but have no personal relationship with.

Intellect:  This is the friend who is a whole lot smarter than you and they share their knowledge with you when you need to make an important decision and need the facts to do so.

Mother Teresa/counselor:   This friend gives spiritual, moral and emotional support.  The friend to talk to when you need some help to get through something you are having a problem dealing with yourself.

Atta Boy:  This is the friend that is there with you in the gym telling you that you can do one more rep or cheering you on and pushing you to finish an assignment.

Best Friend:  This is the friend who is all of the above and more.  The indispensable one.  The one that is there through thick and thin.  Your rock.  One who expects nothing in return.  I am a firm believer your spouse should be on the best friend list.  That should be a given.

The list above is what I call Positive friends.  Unfortunately there can be negative friends that some people for whatever reason, fail to notice these type of friends.  They are:

Parasites:  These friends will suck the life out of you to satisfy their needs and give you nothing in return.  When you need their help they are always busy.

Groupies:  These are friends that feed on people who have received a temporary wind fall and willing to spend it on these so called friends.  When the money dries up they are gone.

Users:  These are friends that will use your friendship to get them where they want to be and when they have accomplished their goal, on your back, they drop you like a hot potato.

Arsenic:  These are the friends who befriend you only to tear you down behind your back.  Personally I think it is triggered by jealousy.

The above is just my humble opinion.  Yea I am no one special but I think this is a pretty good breakdown of types of friendships.  That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

I can say with confidence that I do not have any negative friends in my life.  That is not to say that it hasn’t happened.  I just got smarter.

Friendship is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Baltasar Gracian says, “True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island…to find one real friend in a life time is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.”  Remember the song that told us “you don’t know what you got til it’s gone”?  “True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.” – Charles Caleb Colton

Thanks for reading.  I hope you got something out of it.  Be kind to one another, share the love and God Bless you one and all.