Solstice Update

First snow this winter

Winter Solstice seems as good a time as any to make a new post after a long delay. Looking at the last post, which was the arrival of the bees one year ago May made me think of all that has happened since then. It is too much to recount in a single post. The bees have been successful, and there are now three hives. Bev made a sugar board for the largest hive, since yesterday's inspection revealed the board completely eaten. 

Say cheese--goat cheese, that is

To date, only two goats have been bred (we think)--their dates with Farmer Karen's Bucks, Jack and Gillis, seemed successful, but we have our fingers crossed. We are trying to come up with a better strategy to transport the goats than loading them into the back seat of a Subaru--and a real livestock trailer would just be too simple.

Sunset and the approaching twilight are two of my favorite metaphors, and indeed, they may be appropriate for much that has happened since the bees came. My sense has always been of things that are finishing, or leaving, and the sadness for a day ending, a departure with the last rays of light. Like the solstice though, it is the beginning though, whether it is dark or not, or appears dead, a new beginning is underway--it is the ember buried deep in the ash that will glow hot with a gentle blow, the eggs the hens will begin laying with the gradually increasing daylight.