Hi from SE Michigan

[rose]

Hi new bee keeper here. Love this site as I've been lurking and reading/learning alot from everyone. In a week or two I should be helping my friend take his honey supers off. I'm excited and nervous. Then we'll go thru mine and see if I have anything for the first year. I got into bees because I wanted better pollination of my orchard and garden on our "hobby farm".  Everybody thought I was a nut but they're always asking questions about the bees and think I'm the "coolest" thing around.  I have to admit I do find their social structure very interesting, and it's been alot of fun watching them progress this year. 

[Cindi]

Rose, welcome to our forum, your name depicts something very beautiful, the Rose.  You had a wonderful thought when you got your bees, for the pollination that they will perform around your place.  This is the year for building up of the colony, bring these bees through the winter and they will multiply, providing you with even better pollination next year.  Who knows, you may even want to have more colonies, and the more colonies, the more pollination and the rewards of bountiful crops reaped.  I am glad that you joined our forum, glad that you have been lurking...you will find this to be the place that will be your learning guide, so many questions can be answered, you will find this out. You will have a blast helping your pal harvest that honey.  Your bees more than likely will not provide an over excess of honey this year, but take a little for yourself.....you must have that taste of what they have done....ensure that you leave enough food for the bees to last them the wintertime.  Next year will be your year for honey harvest.  Be patient.....patience will be the reward of next year.  Welcome, enjoy your stay, make some new friends, and...have a most wonderful day, lovin' and livin' this great life we lead.  Cindi