Last Fall Bee Feeding: Lots of Pollen Coming In!

Our little bee yard is doing well as we head into "bee winter." The nectar flow is about over except for a few fall sources like aster and goldenrod. The girls are still bringing in lots of pollen. I love to see their pockets heavy with little round orange "pollen pumpkins." We fed the hives the last sugar syrup of the season today. As the weather turns cold, we'll switch to sugar patties if we need to, but hopefully they will store enough sugar syrup to make it through until March. We're asking the bee patrons to help all three of our hives to survive the winter and greet us in the Spring. We took three large jars of honey to the Poor Clares in Alexandria who so faithfully pray for all our family's needs and for our bees as well. Bees have a lot to teach us about working hard and cooperating as they do their waggle dance to inform their sisters where the good gathering places are. God gave us these amazing little creatures to spark our sense of wonder and remind us that work and life in general is sweet.

Thank you, Lord, for all your creatures great and small. 

A New Bee Patron and Our Thriving Apiary

We've had a good bee season so far at Camp Kreitzer. 

Lots of Projects at Camp Kreitzer!

It's been a busy Spring here at Camp Kreitzer. One of our first adventures was creating a nuke from our one strong bee hive that survived the winter. Good thing we did because about a month later the big hive swarmed. There were so many bees in that hive that it is still thriving with a new laying queen and the little hive has a laying queen as well. So that is good news for the survival of our little apiary and honey production. We've already pulled out eight frames of capped honey from the big hive which is about 25 pounds. And there are a lot of other frames almost completely capped. We hope to get more before the honey harvest and plan to split the big hive again as well. We'd like to have at least three hives going into the winter because we generally lose one.

Have a great Mothers Day!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! ENJOY IT WITH YOUR FAMILY!

What's Your Favorite Nativity for 2020?

A very sweet (and proud) little four-year-old presented me with this a few days ago. What a fortunate and blessed grandmother I am. This is absolutely my favorite 2020 nativity. 

Let's examine the elements. The creative artist included the two planets, Jupiter and Saturn, that are moving toward conjunction to create the Christmas Star. The shepherds have all gone back to care for their sheep, but the wise men have arrived with their gifts. All of the characters are so happy (Just look at those smiles!) that they are levitating with joy except for the one king (No doubt the youngest.) who is more earth-bound with his feet planted firmly on the ground. I suspect the "flying king" is the oldest getting ready to "fly" to heaven after the most joyful event of his life. [Read more here....]

Thoughts on Thursday: Of COVID 19, Masks, and Work Days -- Handle all with Prayer!

• My husband and I start the morning each day with Mass. Only nine pews aren't blocked off in the entire church. Several people come in masked, but most of those who wear masks only put them on once Mass begins. I find that puzzling. Does the virus start flying around the church with the angels once Father rings the bell to announce the start of Mass? Is there no danger of contracting the virus or passing it along before Mass begins? Really...I'm just trying to figure out the logic. No one is closer than eight or ten feet except family groups and most in the church are more like 20 feet apart. Are people really masking because of the virus, or is something else going on?

Thought for the Day from a Whole Fistful!

One of the gifts for my birthday a week ago was a glittery blue zippered pouch filled with quotes. I'll share some over the next few days and weeks. We all need a break from stressing out over the coronavirus, so here's my first offering for the bulletin board. In view of the global panic pandemic over what is a very contagious and bad flu, but just a flu, I think it's appropriate.

Don't lose your perspective, people. Most of us will get COVID19. Over 50% will have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Yes, some people will die from it as people die from the flu every year. The world is not coming to an end (although it may be on the verge of a serious global depression.)

Beef up your immune system, practice prudence and relax.

"DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLD COMING TO AN END TODAY, IT IS ALREADY TOMORROW IN AUSTRALIA."  CHARLES M. SCHULZ