Welcome to theHive
Field notes, stories, and seasonal observations from Backyard Bees
The Hive is where the quieter side of Backyard Bees lives — field notes from the bee yard, reflections on place and season, stories from books, gardens, shoreline walks, and the everyday wonder of paying attention.
There’s always a story to tell. The best ones drift beyond my little hive—into the wide, wild, buzzing world. They’re stories of small wonders—things that surprise, inspire, and linger with the Queen Bee… and maybe with you, too.
Rabbit Candy and More: The Grow With Me Project Progress
Back in January and February, I meticulously planned the Grow With Me Project. In March and April, I recruited participants
You Are What You Make
A quieter market morning became a reminder that farmers markets aren’t just about buying local—they’re about asking questions, sharing knowledge, and meeting the people behind what they make.
Salt Water Cures Everything (Or So My Mother Said)
What began with my mother’s favorite saying—”Salt water cures everything”—eventually inspired one of Backyard Bees’ best-selling soaps. Discover the story behind The Mariner, a gentle salt brine soap inspired by family memories, traditional soapmaking, and the simple beauty of caring for skin naturally.
Do Bees Fly in the Rain?
Do bees fly in the rain? When a summer 5K was canceled due to storms, I looked to my backyard honey bees for the answer and set out on a rainy run of my own.
Eisenhower Park Farmers Market: Opening Day in the Wind
Opening day at the Eisenhower Park Farmers Market brought blue skies, strong winds, spring honey, fresh greens, and a reminder that some things simply need shade.
What a 10K at Sunken Meadow Taught Me About Bee Memory
A windy evening at Sunken Meadow State Park led to an unexpected question: how do honey bees remember their way home? From orientation flights to flower schedules, the answer is remarkable.
Bee Books | Stories That Lead You to the Bees
A collection of books that inspired a beekeeper to think more deeply about honey bees, honey, stewardship, purpose, and the world beyond the hive.
A Sense of Hive
A chapter from A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings reminded me that a hive is more than a wooden box. It’s a home, a responsibility, and the beginning of a beekeeper’s relationship with the wider world.
The Magic of Scent
The summer run series at Heckscher State Park became a fragrant reminder of how honey bees use scent to find flowers, navigate their world, and remember where food can be found.
The NYS Parks Summer Run Series With a Beekeeper
Running shoes, state parks, and a beekeeper who can’t stop looking at plants. Run along with The Queen Bee.
Does Anyone Like Mosquitos?
Mosquitoes love me. Unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual. A beekeeper’s observations on mosquitoes and the surprising garden plant that inspired Buzz Off, our natural mosquito repellent.
