yield

His labor is a chant,

His idleness a tune;

Oh, for a bee's experience

Of clovers and of noon!

lately.

So many good things.

Fall must be on the horizon because I am harvesting a lot.

After work on Tuesday I decided to rob one of my hives. 

I got about half a gallon out of one frame.

Ben planted some pumpkins while I was in Texas.

My favorite fruit is finally ripening! 

Heirloom black cherry tomatoes...oh #yeeessss

Pulled up some beets & listened to Benj sing MJ's "Beat It"

Going fishing for the last summer trout on Sunday.

HAPPY AUGUST FRIENDS. 

Ryder: The Beekeeper.

I wake up everyday when I hear Arnold crow. I think it sounds like a scream. He must not like to wake up, I do though, so I howl a little bit, but only so Dad will wake up and come get us out.

First thing I do is check and see if Kola has any food pieces in the floor of her crate...she usually bites me but I don't care.

Next thing is to check and see if there are any food pieces on the floor. Usually there aren't any so I go outside to pee and to poop, but sometimes I can't poop until after breakfast.

When we go inside I check to make sure Mom's alive in the bed and I smell her eyes but she tells me to get out, so I go lick Dad's face while he puts on his shoes.

Then he feeds us...this is the best part of the day. I eat mine first and then finish Kola's when she's not looking. 

Most days we take a nap while Mom and Dad are at work.

When they get home I either watch dad do projects, bark at people and their dogs, chase Kola, sniff for food, or do my new favorite thing...beekeep.

Mom and Dad think they're beekeepers, but I check on the bees everyday, they only check once a week. I get stung sometimes,but I know they're just trying to hug me. Someday I think I'll get some honey and that's why I check on them, to see if they dripped any in the grass or anything.

Right now I feel like swimming, or eating pepperonis.

See ya.

-Ryder.

The Bee

 

 

 

The Bee

by: Emily Dickinson

Like trains of cars on tracks of plush

I hear the level bee:

A jar across the flowers goes,

Their velvet masonry

Withstands until the sweet assault


Their chivalry consumes,

While he, victorious, tilts away


To vanquish other blooms.

His feet are shod with gauze,

His helmet is of gold;

His breast, a single onyx


With chrysoprase, inlaid.

His labor is a chant,


His idleness a tune;


Oh, for a bee's experience


Of clovers and of noon!

urban beekeeping.

I got my bees!!!

First I got the topbar hive from Walter T. Kelly.

We had a package & put them in last Monday, it went flawlessly.

On Saturday, Sam went with me to pick up my two nucs from the farmer Mark. 

We put the bees in their new home & now they seem so happy.

We even tasted a little honey--delicious.

I wanted to take a picture of the inside of the topbar hive because it was so unique. 

I took my gloves off & stuck my hand inside the hive--yep, I got stung (but only once & with good reason).

I'm having so much fun.

I'm loving the bees.  

beekeeping adventures

 
 
 

last night Bekah & I decided to open up a hive that hadn't been touched in 4 years.
we initially wanted to split the hive.
when we opened the honey super there were thousands of bees in it & what looked to be queen activity.
yes, we got stung.
yes, we are crazy.
yes, i wore shorts (so smart).
we ended up leaving the 2 deep brood boxes and just hauled the shallow super.
the rest of the split will happen another time.
i've never had such an adrenaline rush!
it was one of the best & most hilarious nights.
thanks Bekah for being awesome.

urban beekeepers.

i'm inspired.

endeavor

endeavor

endeavor: an attempt to achieve a goal.
a few weeks ago i shot this video.
i spent the day with my friend Bekah.
we went & picked up her bees.
after the bee pick up we went & got her two goats--Lady & Banjo.
it was a beautiful day & i will remember it forever.

Homeland
Endeavor is the first of a series of short films.
I created Homeland to inspire.
I want to show things from the land, people, beauty, food, & community.
I want to take things back to our roots. 

Yesterday I woke up early to go with my friend Bekah (she has a great blog read it here) to pick up her bees & goats. We hopped in the truck & headed east. Once we picked up the bees we continued going east and picked up her goats (Lady & Banjo). We went to her farm & set up the hives. It was the most peaceful experience--I know what you're thinking--peaceful? But it truly was. We didn't get stung and there were thousands of bees flying around our heads. We milked Lady. Once we finished all of that we got really hungry so we killed her rooster Rocky & cooked him up for dinner. It was the craziest & best day. We had so much fun--everything from good conversation in the car, beekeeping, goat milking, to chicken killing & laughing around a lovely campfire.