Honey, What's all That Buzzing?

My husband brought home two more nucs (colonies) of bees

over the weekend to replace the hive we initially lost.  We

ordered two before we found some of the second hive; however,

that hive is not as strong so this should help.

They were pretty agitated after riding in the truck so we used

some smoke to calm them down and transfer them into the hives. 

There are still some in the nuc box, and many in the 

void created by the box ends.  We had to pry them

open and shake them into the hive.  There were a few

stragglers that I shook out and quickly put the lid back on.

We inspected our existing hives and found either the queen

or evidence of the queen (babies).  Hopefully they will build

up their population sufficiently before winter and make 

enough honey to eat until Spring.  We can help them out

with food but it would be good if they made enough themselves.

We are not experienced enough to know everything we need

to know; however, the person my husband obtained the bees 

from turns out to have been in the same industry and they have

mutual acquaintances.  He spent five hours walking my husband 

through his set up (which is extensive) and how the process

should work.  He's been raising bees since he was 16, now in 

this 60s, and offered to help any time- and he is only about 

20 minutes from our house!  

We have about 20-30,000 bees now.  Most of them will not leave the hive; 

however, there are plenty that will. As I was watering flowers yesterday

I noticed that there were several bees circling me, trying to get water.  They

were not aggressive and didn't have any intention of hurting me.  They 

also buzzed me on the porch and wanted to land on me constantly.

Then I realized I must look like a giant flower with my light pink

T-shirt on.  I quickly changed to muddy brown and the buzzing stopped.

The property two lots up is for sale. I sure hope they like bees. 

And chickens, chicken tractors and coops! Up on the ridge top most

of the neighbors, regardless of "subdivision rules," do what they want

and no one complains as long as you don't bother anyone else.  We have

 a pretty good mix here too from carpenters, two nurses, engineer, and 

those that garden and like to build things.   

 More and more people from higher end communities are moving out this way.  

It has gone from pickups to BMWs, probably those that want a more quiet area and definitely the horse crowd.  We have a couple of horse farms, 

one very high tech, on the county road plus people with their own 

horses.   There are three or four $1 million plus properties within 

three or four miles from us.

I am still struggling with some health issues, more on that later but

I start insulin on Thursday.  It may be a temporary situation since

I have done everything right with meals- no cheating and eating donuts

which I dearly miss!  I have found some sugar free cookies that work into

my carb count plus fat free-sugar free pudding in case I have a sweet

craving.  I've lost almost 55 lbs but will need to start exercising every

day once I start insulin so it won't store in fat cells.  I won't have far

to travel since we have almost a complete gym in the basement.

(You'd think I'd use it more since it is only a trip downstairs!)

It should rain most of the week so a good time to get started!