Spring\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waxing Flower Moon<\/p>\n
Hmmm.\u00a0\u00a0 Wax.\u00a0 Bees wax, or, propolis as it is properly called.\u00a0 I just did a mid-April reversal of the top two hive boxes per the Minnesota bee-keeping method for a cold climate.\u00a0 This involved taking out each frame, examining it–even though I’m still a bit uncertain about what I’m seeing–putting it back after scraping any queen cells, a few, then switching the top hive box with the middle one.\u00a0 This does something good, though right now I can’t recall what.<\/p>\n
A nimble joint future awaits me since I got stung four times today.\u00a0 Each time a little less reaction.\u00a0 The first sting came from a bee that crawled up my pants leg.\u00a0 Another came as I removed a frame.\u00a0 The third and fourth as I took off my bee suit only to discover that on its back were a lot of bees.\u00a0 The bee suit still lies on the floor of the honey house.\u00a0 A lot to learn.\u00a0 These hive boxes, which have lots of larvae, pollen and honey are heavy.\u00a0 Another reminder of why hitting the weights is a good idea.<\/p>\n
Next week the Minnesota Hygienic bees come in their little wooden package.\u00a0 They will go into the new hive boxes that Kate has assembled and coated with polyurethane.\u00a0 She’s also assembling honey supers and coating bottom boards, tops and other miscellaneous woodware.<\/p>\n
This is a year of consolidation on the gardens and bee front.\u00a0 We’ll make sure we can make good use of all the vegetable beds and companion planting ideas.\u00a0 We’ll shore up our preservation and storage options.\u00a0 I’ll learn about the honey extracting and bottling process as well as colony division and hiving my own package of bees.\u00a0 We have fruits and berries, even a few nuts to learn how to care for, all of which fit in well with the Brenda Langston inspired version of healthy eating.<\/p>\n
Inside though there’s still the Latin.\u00a0 No consolidation there yet.\u00a0 It’s an upward curve so far.<\/p>\n
I have been wondering recently about my work at the MIA.\u00a0 This is my 9th year as guide and docent.\u00a0 The art world as a whole continues to fascinate me and the research challenges it presents are gifts to my life, not burdens.\u00a0 Touring has become easier and more enjoyable this year.\u00a0 Not sure why.\u00a0 Just has.\u00a0\u00a0 Should I continue on a sort of emphasis on Asian art, especially China and Japan, or should I really lock myself down into those two and really learn them?\u00a0 Should I perhaps shift my learning focus to prints and drawings, an area not many docents cover and in which the bulk of the museum’s collection of object lies?\u00a0 I think what I’m saying is I want more depth in the experience.\u00a0 I’ve gained breadth and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity.\u00a0 How to make the experience richer and deeper?\u00a0 That’s the journey now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Spring\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waxing Flower Moon Hmmm.\u00a0\u00a0 Wax.\u00a0 Bees wax, or, propolis as it is properly called.\u00a0 I just did a mid-April reversal of the top two hive boxes per the Minnesota bee-keeping method for a cold climate.\u00a0 This involved taking out each frame, examining it–even though I’m still a bit uncertain about what I’m seeing–putting it … Continue reading A Year of Consolidation<\/span>