New bee Keeper iving in Afton, Virginia USA

[Gerald Boggs]

Good Day

The Name is Gerald Boggs.  I'm new to bee keeping.  I started three years ago after taking a community college class.   I live in Afton, Virginia, USA.  A area that appears to be mostly disease and problem free for the bees :-)  that bit of knowledge comes from my neighbor who has been keeping bees for twenty years and has had few problems.  The mites have been about it and even they are becoming less and less of a problem.  We even have wild bees coming back.

My regular job is that of blacksmith.  I've a small shop here at home, so I don't have to commute.   Before anyone asks, no I don't do horses, that's the work of a farrier.  The work I do is in the area of such things as custom furniture, fireplace doors, hardware, small railings and gates, with a bit of art every once in a while.  I enjoy working with my hands in a way that brings me as close as possible to the material I'm working with.  For that reason, I prefer to work at the anvil, using a hand hammer to shape the iron and a coal forge to heat it.  I keep a small garden and a coop of chickens for the same reason, The pleasure I receive from being able to go out in the morning and fill my basket with some eggs, fresh tomatoes and a bit of cilantro for my breakfast, far exceeds the effort and brings me closer to..., well I'm not sure what it brings me closer too, but I like the feeling.  I'm slowly building a place that wherever I look there is life and fruitfulness.  That sounds kind of corny, but true.  I've added fruit trees to the yard.  Added a bamboo grove between me and the road (yes, I've taken steps to contain it)  This is the year that it will give me a complete wall of privacy.  The garden area is increased each year and the herbs are doing well.  This year I'm looking to add herbs for tea.  A hedge row is in the works for the border between me and my closest neighbor, it just seemed to make better sense then a fence, as it will provide a home to many of the small animals.  Hopefully the local fox won't feel invited :-)

As I have a tendency to ramble, I'll stop here. 

Gerald Boggs

[poka-bee]

Welcome Gerald!  Your place sounds wonderful!  You sound wonderful!  It must be very satisfying to be able to do the work you love, maybe you can share pics of metalwork?  We do granite (kitchens, baths, etc.) & I have all sorts of ideas for tables, deck & yard things w/metal & granite.  Too bad you are on the other side of the country!  There is something about having things you have made, grown around you.  We all feel this way & understand or we wouldn't be beekeepers!  Again welcome & post often!

Jody

[Cindi]

Gerald, welcome to our forum, your introduction was beautiful.  Yep, as soon as I heard blacksmith, farrier comes to mind.  We had horses, I would love to watch our farrier use the fire and anvil as he shaped the hooves, it never ceased to amaze me what he could do.  I bet you do some beautiful stuff.  Your place sounds absolutely wonderful, as Jody said.

You will be able to tell us stories of your bees, you are a gifted writer and I look forward to reading your writings.  Thankyou for taking us into this part of our world, and again, welcome to our forum, you have found a place to make new friends, people that love to listen and care.  Have the most beautiful and wonderful day, lovin' this life we live.  Cindi

[JP]

Hey Gerald, welcome to beemaster! One question though?

Do you work horses? :-D Just kidding!

It sounds like a great setup you got going there. I like the idea of the bamboo fence.

Try not to be too hard on the little fox when he shows up. ;)


...JP

[Rabbitdog]

Shoot the fox and rip out every shred of the bamboo, burn it and bury the ashes in a lead vault (there is no such thing as "containing" bamboo).  You'll live in torment from both for eternity.
I'm just down 29 a few miles south of you.  Your introduction leads me to believe we would enjoy discussing our bees, homesteads, and hands on lifestyles over a pot of coffee .....  except for the fox and bamboo issues, of course. :-D  What kind of fruit trees did you plant?  I have over 60 varieties of apples, several pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and 1 pluot (plumXapricot).
Best wishes