spring is coming

It is February 29th and already feels like early spring. It's fun to write that, (February 29th), only happens every 4 years. I wonder if the bees know in their little bee world that this is a leap year. Bees know lots of stuff, but I don't know if leap year is one of them. Bees are intriguing little creatures, and there are lot of things I like about bees, so I'll list a few of them here. Bees are industrious, (busy as a bee)(beehive of activity), they can stir things up, (bee in your bonnet), they are attractive, (bees knees), and on and on.
Bees mirror our human society in many ways and in many ways they exceed ours. We can learn some lessons from bees, and lots of other places in nature too, all we have to do is open our eyes , be quiet, and listen. I have learned a lot from the bees, bees are survivors. My bees have survived the record drought in central Texas, and will be rewarded soon with a bountiful wild flower crop- they deserve it. I hope I can continue to provide the support they deserve. And after all of their hard work they provide us with their honey. We bee keepers have to be careful to leave behind enough honey for the bees. I didn't harvest last year because of the drought, maybe this year will be better. I have heard that unpasturized honey won't spoil. Theoretically it will last indefinately if stored right. That's one theory I may not get to test. This year I'm going to try my hand at making Mead (honey wine). I tasted some a friend made recently and was very impressed. So come on spring, let's get to work, I'm going to be thirsty in about a year and a half.

Where did April go?

It went to the bees of course. The order for a new package of bees including their queen was placed in January, and arrived in April. I spent Earth day installing a new hive near their soon to be buddy bees, the veterans in an existing hive. The new bees have some food, and water is available so I am hopeful. I have been at this point before and I know this is a crap shoot, but I am trying to stack the odds in the bees favor. Bee TUFF little bees!- Bees don’t have it easy even in the best of times. The total life span of a honey bee from the beginning of its larval stage to the end of its adult life is only about 6 weeks, in that time the honey bee has to learn a lot of stuff, where’s the food, how far away is it, what time of day is it available, where’s the water? Oh, and don’t drown while you are getting the water, Ms. Bee- (90 %) are female). Right now in the hill country the prickly pear cactus are blooming so at least there is a little natural food out there. Look at the picture of the hose on the faucet- a very small drip supplies lots of bees with water- the bottom of the pipe is all bees. Don’t fix that drip!

First day of spring

The official first day of spring is the same thing as the first day of the year to me. It is when everything begins a new. January first is just another cold ass day when there are still another two and a half months of winter. The grass turns green now, things start growing, plans get put into action, because you can actually go outside and do something, that makes it a new year, not some date on a calendar. And of course the ultimate sign of spring in the Texas hill country, the Blue Bonnets arrive cued up by heaven above! So in honor of spring I've put a fresh coat of paint on the barn, there is a new hive of bees set to arrive next month, some new bird houses are up, and we are ready for spring to start sining it's song.

in memory of Brian Young

I met Brian Young late last summer. He was playing a gig at The Friendly Bar in Johnson City. Brian immediately immpressed me with his powerful, but unpretensious talent. He captivated the room and had everyone smiling. In typical hill country fashion when he sat down at the bar next to me we struck up a conversation and I asked if he could play a party at our barn in October. He checked his calander and we set the date. Brian had been all over Europe and the States touring, but he loved the Texas hill country the best. Our get together at the barn was small, maybe a couple dozen people, and I was grateful Brian could do it. Everybody enjoyed it, especially Brian. I paid him when the evening was over and Brian went home to Comfort. After Brian left he called to tell me I had given him too much money. "No I said, thats your tip". "Wow that's great" he said. That's just how Brian was, very honest and unassuming. I got a call a couple of weeks ago that Brian was in a coma in a San Antionio Hospital. No details, but it was obviously dire. Today I found out Brian is gone. I told Terry, and she said, honey I don't know if you knew, but Brian Told me that night he played at the barn, that was his dream gig, playing for us out there at the barn. He said he had played all over, but that he liked gigs like ours the best. I am glad I could be a small part of Brian's dream gig, and I hope he gets a lot of them in heaven.
Cheers,Brian Young we'll miss you!

What's that? you missed it? it's spring

March 6th 2011
This morning I left the house and it was a clear 32 degrees and winter. I rode my bike 35 miles and during that time spring arrived; it also warmed to 65 degrees. The March winds took a break and some spring birds announced their arrival. It all happened to quick to get a picture. I should have been ready. I am a Texan, so I knew it would be fast, I was just too busy pedaling up the next hill. That's my problem, but I don't have the exclusive on it. We could all pay a little more attention to the world around us, and each other, and maybe spring would last a little bit longer.

dreaming...

Through this gate boundless dreams await, there are no borders in my house. The minds eye can see the soul of the universe in its abundance and glory.
Peace- 3-2-11

Be passionate!

My favorite place for dining and entertainment in Johnson City is The Friendly Bar Bistro at 106 N. Nugent Ave., just down the block from the bank. The Friendly Bar has a storied past, but Ed Thompson, manager and chef has turned the stories from the days of old on their ear. In a small establishment, Ed turns out delicous dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from all over. If you stop in once, you’re a regular, and Ed will know your name before you leave. Ed turns out amazing food from a tiny kitchen where the chef is your server, and every plate is inspected by the chef as it goes out. Last Friday night I had the Cesar salad and the crab cakes, Awesome all the way around. As I was eating alone at the bar, I watched Wheel of Fortune, chatting with the lady next to me Judy Moore, who is half of the Dos Amigos Band I was about to watch. We both wondered how much Vanna White makes, knowing it was more than we make since she has had her gig almost 20 years. Vanna is the same age as me, but I’m thinking she may have had a little work done, since she looks cover girl fresh at 54 years old.
Ed always has fantastic bands that play at The Friendly Bar Bistro. It reminds me of the 70’s in Austin, when you could sit down and have a beer and chat it up with whoever had the stage on a particular night. Ed is passionate about his little Bistro in Johnson City, and it shows, take a look and see for yourself.

http://friendlybarbistro.com/