Howdy from Texas

[vmmartin]

I am a little late getting around to this part. I have been interested in bees for about 21 years. Right after my wife and I got married we had a hive underneath our trailer. I called a local beek and he came and got them. I thought it was cool to watch (from a distance). A life long friend of the family who I called Uncle Gene had kept bees since he was a kid in Alabama. 15 years after the first removal I was renting the trailer out and a hive had built in the same spot. He came over to get them and brought a second suit so I got to assist. He talked about some of the "Ways of the Bees" and I was fascinated. Anyhow being the procrastinator that I am, I kept putting it off and putting it off. Uncle Gene died last summer. It was this Spring when I took the plunge and built my first hive. I kick myself for not learning from him while I had the chance. On the upside, I think of him each time I work with the bees. Anyhow, that is my therapy for the day.

[Cindi]

vmmartin, what a cool little story and you and your Uncle Gene, I enjoyed it immensely.  His legacy to you, to become a fine keeper of the bees, as I would imagine he was.  He instilled within your soul a love for the honeybee, you will indeed think of him, every time that you think of or work with your bees, look what he left behind, isn't it just a thing of beauty.  You will not have hiim by your side to mentor you, that is unfortunate, but you will nevertheless become that great beekeeper, as I am sure he would have desired, you would makka him proud.  Thanks for the introduction, it was nice to read.  Beautiful days, those of love and health and lots of smiling, Cindi