Some Interests Choose Us

I just didn’t realize they were becoming part of my story.

I always thought someday it would be nice to have a hive or two in my garden.

Not because I wanted to become a beekeeper. Honestly, I didn’t. I just wanted bees to pollinate my flowers and fruits trees and veggies in my garden, oh and the added benefit of some honey for my tea & cornbread.  Maybe even some bee pollen for my seasonal allergies. 

Every year my garden grew a little bigger, and with it grew my appreciation for pollinators.

When I mentioned that to Rene… well…

I think some interests choose us long before we ever choose them.

Honestly… I don’t know that there was ever one moment. Looking back now, it feels like bees have been quietly following me my whole life.

One of my earliest memories is standing at the city park where I grew up. There was a hive high up in a tree above the playground. While everyone else was playing, I remember looking up at those bees in complete fascination.

I couldn’t tell you why.

I just remember watching them. They flew in and out without stop. Constant movement. 

Another memory that has always stayed with me is visiting my grandparents in Ventura County. My dad would take me to see “the Bee Man.” On the back of his honey jars was a picture of him wearing thousands of bees like a beard.

Most people probably thought it looked scary.

I thought it was amazing.

Years later, during my business days, I even wore a little bee lapel pin because of the saying, “Busy as a bee.” I felt that connection. 

Funny, isn’t it?

Bees just kept showing up.

And then I mentioned to Rene, my desire for a hive or two in the garden... well, that was probably my first mistake. 😂

He became fascinated as well.

He read everything he could get his hands on, watched a million YouTube videos. The more he learned the more he got hooked on the idea as well. 

Every day there was something new about bees, he was beginning to drive us crazy. Finally, for his birthday, we bought him a bee suit. A month later for Christmas, we bought him his first nuc that would be ready that spring. 

My plan was simple. He could keep the bees. I’d enjoy having them in the garden.

Problem solved.

Or so I thought.

I had no idea that decision was about to change my own life.

Thank you for spending a little time in the hive today.

Until next time,

~ Tracy 🐝