It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you three of my four Honey Bee hives did not survive the winter.  The record breaking, prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures in January were too much for my precious Honey Bees.  Today I would like to pay tribute to my beloved hardworking pets, who were cutdown in the prime of life.  Ok, to be honest, I’m not sure how long Bees live exactly.  But I do know these Bee colonies left me far too soon…

Dire Wolf Beez, despite your fierce name, you quietly went about your work all summer long.  You were a small, but mighty hive, who faced all the challenges life threw at you with grace, dignity, and determination.

Lemmeez Hive, you on the other paw, scared us.  You were fierce.  You were intimidating.  You let Dad know who was boss!  Each time he was even remotely near your hive you’d all come out to let him know you were in charge and not to mess with you.  You were a true powerhouse filling your combs with honey for the winter months.  Yet even as the mightiest of pollinators, you were no match for Mother Nature’s wrath.

Chuck BEEly Hive, my beloved namesakes, I will treasure my time with you the most!  You became my pets in 2016.  After struggling that summer, we combined you with a much stronger hive for your first winter.  Last spring we waited with bated breath wondering if you survived the long winter.  Not only did you survive, but you thrived!  However, when back in your old hive the ugly problem of regicide reared it’s head once more, as you struggled to find a suitable Queen.  Perhaps we should have combined you with Azzza Hive again last fall?  But you rallied in September, and I had faith that you would be fine.  Sadly I was wrong.

However, Azzza Hive promises to honor all your legacies by continuing to thrive!  Also, in a couple weeks when we welcome two new Honey Bee colonies into your former hives, know that your hard work was not in vain!  These road weary Bees who are traveling up from Georgia, will be welcomed by your stores of untouched nectar, that will nourish them and prepare them for the hard work that lays ahead.  Friends, if you would like to memorialize my Honey Bees, we ask that you plant wild flowers in your yards to help save the bees!

I’d like to conclude this memorial with photos of my beloved Honey Bees.  Please feel free to hum Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings,” while scrolling through this heartfelt tribute…