I'll make it up to you

I knew I'd get a little grief for not having pictures of Gabe and the bee tree:)  I wanted to focus on Gabe yesterday so I didn't take the camera with me.  I am going back Thurs. afternoon and maybe Tanner and I will go out and get a closer look at the bees, then I'll have some pictures to post.  I'd like to get a good look at the hive, it's so difficult keeping bees alive now that I would like to see what is working for them.  I suspect the biggest advantage they have is isolation.  They are in a pretty remote spot, far away from any  houses or farms.  The worst killer of honey bees is the pesticide that is used to coat corn seeds.  The chemical is drawn up into the plants "bloodstream" and concentrated in the pollen.  The bees collect the pollen and bring it back to the hive and they all die.  I have not been able to keep a single hive alive for more then a season since the farmer down the road started growing corn several years ago. 

In the meantime, let me introduce you to my friend's farm, Natural Borders Farm, where we raise grassfed beef and lamb.  The first calf of the season was born a few days ago...

Visitations

Whew, its been a hectic few days.  I don't normally have more than one or two visitors a year at my farm.  This weekend saw more people crossing my threshold than I have seen all year.  For most people, my half dozen visitors might seem like a drop in the bucket but, to someone who lives and works alone and only owns four chairs, it's a lot.

One of my visitors was my world-traveling, glamorous, big-city sister come to spend the holiday with me.  My world doesn't offer much in the way of bright lights or big-city living (although, the stars were particularly brilliant Thursday night).  What my place may lack in city splendors, it more than makes up for in having a DONKEY.

I can offer special, personalized greetings...

interactive sports....

a personal trainer who will accompany you on a guided tour of the local byways...

 

 and a full-time support system.