the queen's unlikely chariot
Apr 13, 2010 Sadly, my beekeeping partner and I had to re-queen our hive this spring. Our queen mysteriously disappeared a few weeks ago. But the bright lining to this story is that after ordering a new queen from a supplier here in California, the postman knocked on our door today with a box with mesh ventilation on each end, covered with the warning: CAUTION, LIVE BEES. And because breeders send a couple dozen bees to feed the queen grapes and fan her on her travels, there were many pairs of very, very small eyes peering out, backed by a soft buzz.
In the 20 plus years that our postman has been delivering mail, he has never delivered live bees. So he was as incredulous and excited to deliver the package as we were to receive it.
Fingers crossed that we will be queenright in no time. Isn’t that such a lovely term?
Reader Comments (8)
Love your description! What a wonderful package to receive. Good luck with the Queen and her loyal subjects.
I've decided that when I grow up, I want to be a Queen Bee. Being continuously fanned and fed grapes sounds pretty good to me.
You know I think my postman needs a little change in his routine, such a somber guy... I can't quite imagine his expression if I ordered bees.
I love the description of getting the bees in the mail! I think our postman would be cool with that too! But it took me back to the days when I worked in a lab and we had to be on the lookout for the deliveries of mice......
I really admire you for keeping bees. It's something I imagine myself doing one day when I'm settled in to a more permanent residence.
I love it! Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your new Queen Bee.
i love this story- it's so cute! I wish you took a picture of the little bee delivery box. good luck with the hive.
Thanks for the enthusiasm, everyone. I wish I had taken a photo too, but it was all business getting the queen into the hive after work, and before sundown.
And Charlotte...mice? That is WAY more brave!