The family legend is that my mom's aunt used to sit outside between the hives that her dad kept. While he was working, she would bring a book and read, thousands of bees flying around her head. She was completely at ease around the bees, and would often be found leaning up against the hives.Her dad fondly called her his Beezie.
I never met anyone who knew her by any other name.
Historically, I don't know of any other beekeepers in my family. I have a beloved aunt who keeps bees, and another beloved aunt who has bees kept on her farm. One of my favorite cousins has been wanting to keep bees for almost as long as I have. But we don't have a long tradition in the family of beekeeping.
I truly wish we did. There is nothing quite like being able to talk bees with a family member - to discuss the problems and solutions with someone who has worked through the problems themselves.
Yesterday, I started that process.
