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Last week, as I worked my way through classes, I did not
take the time to write any updates to this blog. It is not because there was
nothing noteworthy, just that time was taken by more pressing issues. I had
gotten into some dust Monday evening using the trimmer on a fence line and the effects
of that dust stayed with me through the remainder of the week. I had to give my
Wednesday class to Red so I could be available for the Thursday class. It is a
class only a handful of us can teach. Even with the extra time to rest my voice
I was struggling by the end of the class. My voice was recovered by Sunday to
the point that I could lead the singing, but only because Mama and I both wore
masks as we cleaned the coop buildings. That is a proper use of masks. By the time
we were done, those masks were soaked with sweat and dirt. It was an awful
sight, but the coops are cleaned for the moment and it saved my voice.
The hour plus spent in the morning heat doing the coop cleaning
about wore Mama and me out. I seem to be running on empty lately. I used to be
able to go strong all morning, rest a bit in the heat of the day and then work
strong through the evening. Not now. I am spent after a couple hours of labor. Really
spent. But in the cleaning of the coops
I used the shop vac to thoroughly clean the cobwebs from the wire I have
protecting the window openings. Over the years those opening have been covered
with webs and the dust those spider webs accumulate. It was long past due to
get all that off the openings and allow some freer exchange of air through the building.
The effect was immediate. Plus, it just looks better. The chickens roosted
completely differently that night because of the increased airflow.
After we got that chore done, I rested a bit before going
out to check the hives. I was curious to see if the two hives I have not
expanded were ready for honey supers. When I opened one of the two, the bees
were very docile. Very few flew out of the hive to challenge me. I was able to
check the frames and determine that they were still not ready for the honey
supers. I sealed that hive up and went to the second. They were not docile. It
looked like the entire hive flew immediately to fend me off. The suit I have is
amazing protection against such an onslaught. However, the new gloves I had
just purchased were not up to the challenge. I was stung on the back of my
right hand through the glove almost as soon as the attack began. Maybe five or
six stings total.
The stings were not “deep” stings, but I could still feel
them. I took my time to look the frames over and determine that they were even
further behind than the hive with the docile bees, so no honey super was added
to that hive either. Disappointing. Both that the hives were not much further
along and that the gloves did not fully protect me. Last night the itching was miserable,
but there was no additional infection with the stings. I talked to Mama about
giving up the bees, but I am only getting stung on my hands. I will do some research
to see if I can remedy that inexpensively. While l had the bee suit on, I took
the string trimmer and cut the weeds around the hives. I quickly found out what
a great idea that was from the attention I got from all three hives. Everyone
participated in that attack, but I did not get stung again. That seems to
happen only when I reach into the hives. Other that those few chores, I did not
stay out in the heat much. I go to the doctor tomorrow for a follow up. I am
curious to see if she has any suspicions about my current lack of energy.
Victoria watched the three boys of her coworker Saturday and
Sunday. The three ranging in age from one year to five years old are a handful.
I added myself in where I could, but the burden fell largely to Victoria.
Saturday evening, Mama and Victoria were worn out. I am not sure how much their
mommy pays for a babysitter, but that person earns her wage. All three are good
boys. They are just very busy all the time. The one-year-old is a twenty
pounder who does not like living at ground level. He is constantly wanting to
be held. He would go to any one of us to be picked up, but he preferred
Victoria. Fifteen minutes of carting him around was about all any of us could
handle. So, he swapped out often.
Sunday, as always was great. Maybe next Sunday we will get
to eat at the new restaurant! We’re looking forward to that.
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