Greetings and Howdy

[Hillbillenigma]

Taking the opportunity on my first post to write something I know about... .me!      I live in NE TN and have never kept Bees before.

 I served in the United States Marine Corps from '85 - '94. Been married 21 years and have 2 beautiful young children.  We have had the pleasure of keeping lots of animals over the years (Chickens, Cattle, Dogs, Cats, 1 Pot Bellied Pig) and most of them were like pets when they got older.  I have a friend that served with me in the Corps that went on to UC Davis and got his Masters in Entomology with a specific focus on Honey Bees (so if I want much too technical info I can call him I guess).   

 I'm a researcher and boy I love to read so I am availing myself to dozens of online Sites (any recommendations for Favorites are Welcome) and I have checked out several Books from the Library already.  I have joined a local Bee Keeping Club that meets once a month.  My plan is to purchase my equipment this Fall and get the Bees in the Spring. 

 Any advice on Books, Websites, Videos, etc. is appreciated. 

PS - I have written several articles on Knives and Knife collecting so if you have any questions on Knives (Kitchen, Hunting, etc) general care & use or whatever don't hesitate to ask.  If I don't know I can point you in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.   

[1reb]

Hello and Welcome to group Hillbillenigma,
There is alot of great information in this group.
People are willing to help you here, just ask them.

Johnny

[mtman1849]

Welcome to the forum it sounds like you are well on you way to have the bee bug, and if you like to read this is the right place if you have a question ask or use the search option,  someone may have already ask the same question or post you question and someone will be more than happy to give you an answer. 

[Michael Bush]

My favorite site is mine.    If it wasn't I'd improve it until it was. 

www.bushfarms.com

My other favorite sites are listed in the "LINKS" section on the bees home page on my site. 

[pdmattox]

My other favorite sites are listed in the "LINKS" section on the bees home page on my site. 

I did not see Beemaster as one of those links.

[Michael Bush]

It's a short list isn't it.  I should add quite a few others really, including beemaster.

[johnnybigfish]

Hillbillenigma, Welcome to the forums!
 Dont think Michael Bush is bragging on his site. Well, actually, if he is bragging, he deserves to brag, because, truly, His site is the best bee site that I know of! His site pretty much covers everything about bees, this side of splicing genes!!
 Its very easy to get around in!
 I even print out page after page of stuff from his site while I'm at work and read it when I get the chances....Some stuff, like splitting hives, capturing swarms,and some other stuff i read over and over!
 I like "Beekeeping for Dummies" also. I've found that when I was reading other bee books at first i didnt understand alot of it. The "Dummy" book( As I've mentioned several times since last spring) helped me to understand what all the other books were talking about.
 Well,...Thats all....
 Good luck and Hope you get off to a good start keeping your bees!
your friend,
john

[annette]

I agree that Michael Bush's website is the way to go, plus do read Beekeeping for Dummies. It made it all make sense to me, but you can't take everything in the book as being right. It is somewhat outdated on many points, but the author is trying to update this book and I heard a new version should be out sometimes soon.

Good Luck and have fun
Annette

[Hillbillenigma]

Thanks everyone for the warm Welcome.

I am now reading the Beekeeping For Dummies book, I checked it out from the Library and it already has filled in several small gaps that I just did understand.  Case in point, I saw pics in couple of other books re marking the Queen, I just assumed that the Queen couldn't Sting, found out different as I read in the Dummies book she certainly can but rarely does (unless supersedure(?) is going on).

Michael, I will certainly check out your site and like someone already mentioned I will probably end up printing some pages for ready reference.

Thanks again and I look forward to chatting with you'all again.

   

[Cindi]

Hillbillenigma.  Welcome to our forum.  You will really enjoy spending time here, reading.  You are getting very well prepared for your bees, that is good.  Keep reading, learning, and soon you will have your bees, then you will have tales and stories to tell us, we all love to listen, and all beekeeping tales are a work of wonder in themselves.  Have the most wonderful and awesome day, Cindi