Here it is Thursday alrready and I was into the hives Sunday. Just been very busy with work and life and such, but I'm finally getting around to blogging the details...

The good news is that a queen has finally been made or moved in to the ailing hive and now I have three queen-right hives again! She seems to be laying well and I only hope that a good fall flow will have them putting away enough for winter. I'll probably keep a super of honey for them, though, just in case!

Speaking of honey, the good hive (middle hive) is doing well. They have nearly filled up the third super and I'll have to remove it and the second super full of honey in a week or two. The Saly Swarm hive is doing ok, though I had hoped they would fill out the second deep chamber. They did have a lot of work to clean up and fill out the first, though, as it was comb from a swarm cut-out. They should be ok through the winter in one deep, but I may also save a super of honey for them, as well.

This year I intend to treat for mites, and that time is approaching. I'm reminded of it today, where temps have dipped back into the 50's overnight. Supposed to be even colder tonight/tomorrow. Oh well!

Overall I'm pleased with how things are going. Well, gotta run to work! Post this blog now...

Tonight I pulled the first super full of capped honey off the good (middle) hive. I've left them a partially-filled super, and a completely empty one I put on Sunday (?) when I put the triangle escape board under this super.

Of course, being stupid, I attempted to remove the super without my garb on, and I got four stings for my insolance! I ran and put my normal sweatshirt and helmet/veil on, gloves, and lit the smoker to calm the girls down. There were far too many in the honey super and under the escape board - I think I left it on too long (3 days) and they were finding their way back in! I may need to build my own version of the escape board according to some plans I found at the Beesource web site.

Anyway, to catch up, this year's second hive still isn't doing well. I've given them three - no, four chances to raise a queen - twice with frames from the good hive, then I bought a queen that disappeared, and then this last time I added another frame of open brood - but they just won't raise a queen! I'm thinking now it may be due to the hive body that I got from Uncle Lewis, so I'm going to replace that when I get a chance. If that doesn't do it I'll just let them die off since I don't want to risk them having undesirable effects on the good or Sally Swarm hve, as I call it.

Speaking of, they are doing well. I reversed the hive bodies Sunday (or was it Monday?) as well so that hopefully the queen will work her way up a little better. She is doing great, though. The girls have done well gluing in and filling out the comb that I cut out from the old swarm. I'm pretty sure if we get a good fall flow that they'll be fine for the winter.

Well, I've been very remiss in updating this site. Of course, we've been very busy with the band, work, and life in general just trying to stay alive. We ran out of oil last night and I've got the kerosene heater going. $95 emergency delivery charge. Sheesh! I hope they decide they can get into the driveway this time. Last time the driver was squeemish and wouldn't go through the plow shoulder - in a big oil truck!

Let's see... since last I wrote I joined a part-time rock band - The Custodians of Rock n Roll. I'm playing lead guitar and singing. It's a lot of fun as the guys are like me: good-natured, only in it part-time for fun and to see how good we can become, and about the same age so we have a lot in common. Check out the web site for our next gig!

We haven't been feeding the local birds as much this year. I think it's not so much we haven't had time or seed as it is the snow is deep! Yeah, lots of snow this year. Of course, we've got the chickens and they are doing ok. I say "ok", but really they're not all ok. The black giants are losing feathers. We've treated for mites and such, but they are all still losing their feathers. However, the golden comets are fine. Go figure! Most are still laying. We just don't know why the black giants are losing feathers. I guess we'll have to get them checked.

On the health front, I'm still having issues with my throat closing up - or uvula swelling till it gags me. Joyce is having issues with her knees and arthritis. My back is also hurting from arthritis and the occasional over-doing it. Guess we both have to get in better shape or take it easier.

Friends and family are doing ok. We lost my uncle Lewis the first of February. His celebration of life was great, though, something I'm sure he enjoyed from up there.

I 'm getting a couple more packages of bees this spring, so I'm trying to gear up for that. The current hive is doing ok, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to start feeding them shortly.

I guess I'll say bye for now. I'll write again after I take my nap - just call me Rumpelstiltskin!