Drop everything, dear, and come along.
Image courtesy of Gerard van Schagen via Wikimedia Commons
We’re flying off on a whirlwind tour of shacks and chalets, hovels and halls, cottages and castles worldwide …
Photo by Cristo Vlahos via Wikimedia Commons
Oh, but, no. Not that sort of chalet. The home-sweet-homes we’re hunting aren’t inhabited by humans, honey.
Photo by Skrissh2013 via Wikimedia Commons
Catch the clue?
Each bungalow along our route, big or small, belongs to … bees.
That’s right. We’re traveling around the world in 80 hives!
(Well, okay, maybe not 80, but a bunch of buzzing beauties nonetheless.)
First stop—in alphabetical order, because my sense of direction has never been all that keen—Austria.
Just look at the intricacy of this unique alpine getaway:
Photo by Häferl via Wikimedia Commons
Looking for something more rustic? Try these jungle bungalows in Burkina Faso (a country in western Africa):
Photo by Marco Schmidt via Wikimedia Commons
Or these woodsy log homes in the forest of Sichuan, China:
Photo by Philippe Semanaz via Wikimedia Commons
In Croatia, the communal hives are distinguished by simple signs:
Photo by Lovro Rumiha via Wikimedia Commons
While the hives in the Czech Republic are nothing short of architectural artwork:
Photo by Mpik61 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Podzemnik via Wikimedia Commons
In Ethiopia, the bees nest in trees:
Photo by Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons
French hives are fabulously pastoral, as you might have guessed:
Photo by Myrabella via Wikimedia Commons
In Germany, the accommodations range from humbly traditional skeps to elaborate sculptures:
Photo by Hajotthu via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Till F. Teenck via Wikimedia Commons
Have a look at this charming stone community cottage in Hungary:
Photo by Kaboldy via Wikimedia Commons
And, oh, don’t you just love these hand-carved hives in Lithuania?
Photo by Wojsyl via Wikimedia Commons
Polish beehives are as diverse as they are delightful, so let’s linger for a while:
Photo by Mos810 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Ciacho5 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Antosh via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Przykuta via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Kroton via Wikimedia Commons
Photo via DirtGirlWorldTV on Facebook
Now, on to Portugal, where we behold this bark-covered cabin:
Photo by Daniel Feliciano via Wikimedia Commons
In Russia, this hive is a resplendent replica of the Troitsky Monastery in Tyumen:
Photo by Yarrowind via Wikimedia Commons
And, as luck would have it, we may have saved the best for last …
Photo by Reuben Dalke via Wikimedia Commons
If I were a bee, I’d love to stay in Slovenia for a spell, wouldn’t you?
The one country we didn’t tour was the U.S., because I’m leaving that leg of our journey up to you.
If you have—or have seen—a heavenly hive close to home, take me on a virtual visit!
In 2002, we shared a story from the Atlantic Monthly called “How the Terrorists Stopped Terrorism.” The story of how these extremists were changed by giving them something to live for instead of die for is food for thought. Read the story here.
Photo by Roger McLassus via Wikimedia Commons
Good News Network reports that an orphaned baby elephant has now become the matriarch of a herd of water buffalo in a 10,000-acre Zimbabwe game reserve. The elephant was adopted into the herd after her mother was killed by poachers decades ago. For some reason, she chose to stay with the water buffalos instead of the elephant herd on the property, and she’s now become their protector and beloved buddy.
photo, Good News Network
Visit Good News Network for a daily dose of positive, uplifting news. A few of their headlines lately that caught my eye:
Women Activists Clean Up and Revitalize Libyan City
Guy Pretends to Be Homeless, Then Rewards Whoever Gives Money
At-Risk Philadelphia Teens Shatter Expectations – 98% Going to College
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … April Choate!!!
April Choate (sonshine4u, #658) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning an Expert Level The Secret Life of Bees Merit Badge!
“My husband declared, when we moved to our property, “I want to have bees!” I was shocked, being that he was a city boy. Seemed adventurous and crazy. I was totally on board, though, because I knew the benefits! He took the short course at the University of MN in the fall of 2011, and we got our first hives in 2012. During the winter, the kids and I helped him put together the hives and paint them. We watched him read all these bee books like his life depended on it. I was so thankful that he wanted to do this project!
We got our bees and watched them build up combs and create their “city.” I helped hold frames while he checked on the queen and looked for brood. I cheered him on when the queen from one of the hives decided to disappear. That hive had to be re-queened … twice. But then the fun began in 2013, when we got to harvest the honey. Our first time harvesting was scary, but not as scary because we had helped our good friend, Joe, with his harvest the previous year. But being newbies, it was still a little daunting.
My friend Jan kept telling me that it was a really sticky mess and to be prepared to stick to the floor by the time you’re done! But the reward is so worth it. When that first comb was uncapped and just oozed honey goodness, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! When we had spun the first few frames and our 5-gallon bucket was filling up … I was more than ecstatic! It was pure gold! Watching it filter was something that I didn’t expect to be fascinating, but every part of the process was. When we were finished with all the supers, we had 7 1/2 gallons of honey! Not bad for our first harvest! I was thrilled!
Each time we had someone over, we would show them how it was all done, or if they were really lucky, they would be there to help with the fun. I had a farmgirl meeting all about bees and my hubby shared all his vast bee knowledge with the ladies. He brought out a frame that they could see and explained all about it. We played some bee trivia games, made lip balm with beeswax, and watched the movie, Vanishing of the Bees. While I’m not the head beekeeper, I do enjoy helping him out, and after reading all those great books about bees for the first two levels … I’m ready to beeeeee a beekeeper for real with my hubby. Giving honey as Christmas gifts was so fulfilling this year. The look on people’s faces was priceless!
I’m totally inspired to become more involved with the process. I thought I would be scared taking care of bees, but now I’m totally calm around them and love hearing them in my garden doing their job. Holding a frame in my hands with all those wiggling bodies doing their jobs is just fascinating! I love putting on the suit and helping out now. The only time I don’t enjoy it is when it’s super hot and then the sweat just pours down! LOL! This past winter, we lost both of our hives from the extreme cold. It was a really sad discovery. We had to purchase new bees this spring. It was really expensive. I’m hoping and praying that this winter will be more favorable. We also are looking for more ways to plant more flowers in the fields that surround our hives so the bees can continue to enjoy a toxic-free flower zone. I really am loving this bee experience. The honey is so good and I appreciate the bees so much more!”
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
