Hello, all --
This is my first year keeping bees: one package bee hive in a field by my house in rural Orange County, NC. By profession I'm a computer geek, by hobby I garden, do woodworking and lots of outdoor things, play music, read, write, enjoy my dogs and partner, and other stuff that has NOTHING to do with computers :-)
I started last year by attending demonstrations offered by the Agricultural Extension folks, reading lots on the Internet, and envisioned a hive in the spring. By all accounts of advice, 2 hives would have been better, but finances dictated one :-)
I'm enjoying exploring these forums. There is so much to learn! The blog resources I've found work best for me so far are Linda's Bees, followed by Michael Bush. Thanks, Linda and Michael.
Now that I have a couple of questions that I'll post to the appropriate forum, I decided to introduce myself. Hope I haven't bored you!
Hello and welcome!
This is a great forum for learning about bees and beekeeping. One of my favorite features is the 'search' function. Many times I find that my question has already been discussed and I can find an immediate answer.
Are you involved with a local bee club? Clubs are good places to find mentors, get connected with other nearby beeks and learn the "local" beekeeping practices.
http://www.ncbeekeepers.org/chapters.htm
Looking forward to reading more about your adventures with your bees.
Eri, welcome to our forum. Nice introduction about yourself, you are a very talented person, that shines through. This is the place that you can spend wonderful and quality time, learning more about the bees, presenting your questions, which, by the way, will get great responses. This is a busy time of year for the beekeepers (and life in general), so sometimes it may take a little longer to get answers to your questions, but be patient, these answers will come. Tell us of your experiences with the bees. We all love to tell stories, tell of what we do, the happiness that we love to share, and the pride that also goes along with that happiness. Wonderful.
Have a most beautiful and awesome day, love our groovey life we live and share. Cindi
Welcome Eri, very new to the forum myself. But saw that we share a bit in common. I've worked in the tech industry for a while. Gave up my job to move back to GA and try to get my family land in farming shape again. I've found my bees to be a perfect zen area away from computer troubles, hopefully they give you the same!
Thanks, all, for the welcomes!
Yes, Indy, I'm on the mailing lists for the 2 very active county bee clubs (Chatham and Orange) closest to where I live. Unfortunately I've had previous commitments that have not allowed me to attend the monthly meetings, but I plan to go as often as possible. Last Saturday, for example, I had to choose between a mountain dulcimer workshop and a field day about making splits; I chose the music because it was a unique opportunity with a fantastic musician, and I'm nowhere near doing splits yet!
There's a commercial apiary just down the road (which, in the country, means less than 15 miles) from me. They're very friendly, bee club members help them distribute packages and nucs, they resell at no markup Brushy Mtn. supplies and loan bee vacs for swarm captures. NCSU has a Master Beekeeper program. Since I've gotten into the bees I'm finding I have friends of friends who keep bees, so I'm looking forward to new friends as well. Lots of resources.
Cindi -- I've already received answers to my 2 questions -- and found out I'm not the only one who has left-handed bees -- better yet, how to help the bees re-center!
Joelin -- Yes, I've slowed down on the techie front in favor of the recent opportunity to move back out in the country -- 15 shared acres with a longtime friend, tractors, manure from my nearby sister's horses, dirt under my fingernails, weekly yoga class and, of course, the bees -- my kinda zen. No more 50 hour weeks driving a crazy commute; I'm building my own traveling tech support biz.
We also have something else in common: EQ. I'm a hopeless gamer, have been for many years. Leveled up my enchanter to the top, almost got the ranger there (Erichant and Eribow). Outside circumstances forced a change of lifestyle (thank goodness) so those many hours I used to spend in virtual reality I now spend in reality: witness the 2 bee stings I've had so far!
I really like the forums here. The friendly but serious atmosphere reminds me of the Internet community I first met long ago.
-- eri (aka Jane)
Ahh ole EQ, fun fun. I played a necromancer up through the levels with a bunch of alts since release on Test Server. I still enjoy MMOs, but just don't have all that time to dedicate to them in order to actually accomplish anything.
Good luck with your tech biz! I've been working to be a small time competition to Geek Squad here with the local folk. It's been ok so far in that we're keeping our heads above the water, but still would like something with more regular pay :)