Go West, young man

As it turns out, just having the posting tab open and staring at the screen does not make words appear. It does not even make thoughts occur in my head. I think all my thoughts have been thunk this week. I've over-drafted my mind. I feel about as dead as a Betty.

However, I feel I owe it to the untaggable Brandi to update since she still boycotts fb. I've been planning a blog about my new job, yet I can't seem to put words together. So, instead, I'll tell the story through photos. Enjoy!

Welcome to West!

I was so nervous my first day. I felt like the new kid in the cafeteria, but thanks to Celeste, I was soon introduced to many peers, all very kind to me. I got to meet all of my English coworkers pretty quickly, and I immediately knew I had made a good move.

That's mine, last on the left
 (I lovingly call it the end of the earth)

I was truly lucky to get a classroom. I am one of very few new hires in Knox County Schools to actually get a classroom my first year. I couldn't be more grateful for it. It has become my little nook.

Come on in!

It has the coolest little entryway, and a few years ago (according to my neighbor) it was painted by some talented students. The walls with the trees on them are outside walls; how cute! I was overwhelmed at how much SPACE I would have. The storage in this room is almost overwhelming. However, my predecessor left with short notice and did not take or discard of many things she had stored in the room. I had a job before me.

My classroom as I inherited it.

You can see a lot of the things she left. She was also the journalism teacher, and I am not teaching journalism, so I had to pass on many things to the appropriate person. I felt wrong going through the former teacher's things. I felt guilty about discarding many things she left behind, much of which I put off for the last of my cleaning.

There's so much storage space, but so much to go through.

Look at all that storage!

After many hours of cleaning and organizing,
 I finally got things set the way I wanted them.

After spending the afternoons of inservice week, Saturday, and Sunday, I finally felt like this was my home. I got things organized to suit me, cleared away many things, and stuffed files into storage. Cozy.

Hello beautiful classroom!

The view from my desk. Two weeks into the school year (only one with students), and this truly feels like a comfortable home to me. It's perfect!

I am so blessed to be at West!

But now I need some rest so I can tackle next week!

Robbing the Bees

Yesterday, we went to our bee mentor’s house to extract honey from one of his hives. He had already pulled the honey from two of his four hives, and he left one for us to do from robbing to pouring.

This unclear picture of Hank's biggest hive is taken from the window of this honey room.

We began by putting on our suits and talking through the process. Hank showed us the best way to get the bees off of each frame and where to place them. I didn’t take any pictures of this set up, but I now wish I had. I had that hot suit on, so I wasn’t thinking about anything but getting this done since it was so hot outside already.

One by one, Patrick and I pulled the super frames (they’re the short ones) out of the hive, shook the bees off, and brushed the strays while taking the frames to the spare super box. Hank had set up a spare super box, covered with a towel, for us to place the heavy frames full of honey in so we could carry it inside better.

Here’s the difference in a super box and brood box. The brood, obviously, is for the brood of the hive. The queen lays on these longer frames and pollen is stored on these. The short ones, the supers, are only for honey storage.

It took us about 20 minutes, at most, to get all the frames free of bees and put into the spare super, but in that short time, we were drenched in sweat. It’s nice to have the protection from stings in that suit, but it does not breathe at all. As soon as this was done, we took the frames inside and changed out of our suits. I had worn short and a tee under my suit, so I changed back into my skirt and tank for the rest of the day.

The rest of this process was completely foreign to us, so Hank and Corey showed us each step, and then let us finish up while they fixed dinner for us.

First, we pulled a frame from the box and used the uncapping tool to pull the caps off of the sealed honey.

Here is a frame full of honey that is completely capped.

Here, Patrick begins to uncap the honey. This is done with a light hand as to not waste the honey.

Up close.

 Be careful.

The frame is almost clear.

Now, this side is completely clear of caps; time to flip the frame and do the same to the other side.

How beautiful!

Once both sides of the frame are free up caps, the frame is put into the spinner (not a technical term).

This spinner (I really should look up the real term) is equipped for two frames, one on each side.

When we had two frames done, we were ready to spin. Hank had calculated that it took exactly 60 revolutions to completely extract the honey. Here, Patrick spins the first side. Once he completed Hank’s required 60 revolutions, he had to then turn the frames so the opposite side was exposed and spin again.

After the first two frames were spun, Hank opened the valve to allow the honey to flow through the filters. Hank’s biggest rule is that you do not touch the honey from this stage until it’s bottled. He doesn’t want it contaminated. But it was nearly impossible not to touch this beautiful liquid gold.

We repeated this process over and over again.

Until we filled the 5-gallon bucket about half-way (not near that full here).

 Once we had the majority of the supers extracted (see the one remaining in the box), we were ready to pour.

The 5-gallon bucket is equipped with an easy pour spout. Here, liquid gold is being poured into a jar.

Almost ready to eat.

Now we get to fill the rest of these. (Not really, we only filled a case to take home, but Hank will fill at least all of these once he extracts from this last hive.)

And, no, there was no Betty with us at Hank’s house, but we did make a kitty friend while there. Hank made some great steaks for dinner, and this old boy ate every scrap of steak we gave him. I think he’s waiting on more steak.

 For breakfast this morning, I had a big buttery biscuit coated in fresh honey from yesterday's spoils.

Bee Addition

This past weekend, we extended our bees. Even though we've only had them about two months, they were incredibly crowded in one brood box. So, Patrick and I bought the materials to build a new one a couple of weekends ago, the weekend we cleared all that dead wood out of the yard.

Here's a picture of the finished second brood box. It was simple to assemble and paint.

After putting it together, we had to build each frame to go inside. This is a ten-frame box, but we bought spacers to make it a nine-frame box, allowing the bees to draw out deeper comb for brood, pollen, and honey.

Here's a peek into the frames with one pulled out.

Saturday, we finally had the time to put the addition onto the old hive. We planned to take all the old frames out of the original brood box and install a spacer into it, then put five or six of the full frames back into the brood box and fill it with empty, new frames. This was going to be a challenge because the box was so full and the bees would be quite upset with being infiltrated, so we needed to smoker to be full. Again, we only owned one bee suit at the time (I bought a second one yesterday), so Patrick would be doing all of the hands-on work, while I simply brought him things and refueled the smoker as needed. I also set myself up to photograph the progress. Allow me to share.

First, P moved the full frames into the new brood box in order to install the spacer. Notice this frame he's holding up; it contains mostly honey. Some of it is capped, but most on this side of the frame is not capped yet.

This is that same frame being put into the new brood box. All of that white is capped honey cells. Honey frames are extremely heavy.

Here's all the old frames in the new box. Lots of bees here, but several still wondering around inside the old box, too.

Next, P installed the spacer into the old box. Notice how he tries not to harm any remaining bees. You can also see the smoker on the ground, letting out a little smoke.

As Patrick was doing this, I went back to get the new frames to be mixed with the full ones in both brood boxes. Here's a stack of them. We actually had one more than we needed. I don't know why Patrick bought an extra one, but I'm sure he has reason.

After installing the spacer, he began putting the old frames back into the original brood box.

Here, he has mixed the old with the new frames.

During this, the bees were most upset and flying all around. I was hiding beside the cedar tree, where they never fly. Betty was sitting alongside me. He doesn't care for the bees so much, and here showed his irritation.

Yet, one little honey bee flew next to me and watched Patrick do his business. I tried to get a picture, but I couldn't get the camera to focus before she turned, saw me, and flew away. Though it's not clear, it'll show you how close I was to her.

Once all the frames were in each box, it was time for Patrick to stack them on top of each other. Notice all the bees flying around.

Next he replaced the inner top, and prepared the outer top piece.

And finally we have a finished double brood hive, perfectly spaced and happy. Well, not quite happy yet. Notice how they are all clustered up at the opening. They are ready to defend, but shortly after leaving them, they settled down and have seemed quite happy since.

Take a bow Patrick; that was hard work.

Scared Betty

Change can be scary, ask Betty. He's terrified of storms. He wants his summer back.

Change is bittersweet. Though I have welcomed this changed, even threatened and boasted of the desire for it for years, I’m a little sad right now. There is always a moment right before change takes place that the original seem more appealing than ever.

I have had numerous opportunities and benefits from my current (at least for the next six days) employer. However, through the years, I have continuously found something to complain about: the drive, the academics, the administration, the philosophy, etc. This is simply human nature. I have been an outsider in this community, and I have truly felt it many times. I have said many times that I would get out when I had the chance. But for five years, I never truly looked.

And this job fell in my lap. Within five days, I was informed of the opening; given an improvised, last minute interview; and offered the job. It all happened so fast. This job, the job I had dreamed about for three years, was right in front of me. I could no longer make false claims or idle threats. Do or die. Take it, make true, or let it pass by, staying in comfort.

During the decision-making process, I weighed what I would be leaving with what I would be joining. And it never fails, no matter what job one is giving up, that the current job is suddenly attractive again. I romanticized it. I remembered the best students, my favorite co-workers, the priority I had in many situations, the clout I had built up through the years, and most of all, my team and their parents. It all seemed so pleasant. Why should I leave it?

But then I remembered my aim as an instructor. My dream of teaching English was to be like my favorite AP teachers and professors in college. I wanted to inspire, do more than just teach the basics. I wanted to be in an academic climate. I forced myself to remember those times mid-semester when I wanted to simply do my job but I was faced with extra duties and not being backed up with the academic load I tried to put on the students. It was those moments when I wanted to be somewhere else.

And I reminded myself that I cannot spend my entire teaching career in one school system. I know better than that. I must be diversified. I can’t be satisfied having one source for my principles. I need the experience. And I think I need the challenge, the push of a new school.

So, after much more searching, I took the job. Yesterday I sat with my director of schools, a man who has been infinitely helpful to me. We discussed my future and goals, and like the true gentleman he is, he wished me the best of luck, giving me his full support of my decision. And then it really hit me what I was leaving.

Today, summer school ended and I packed the last of my stuff into my car. I took a last look around, and I began to feel the emotion I had been packing away. I don’t do emotions well, and sadness is almost alien. Anxiety is the only emotion I regularly feel, and that’s what been on high alert lately.

Though my job description will not be changing, I am still an English teacher after all, my surroundings will. I have to continually remind myself that I know how to do my job. I’ve been doing it well for five years. This is just a change of scenery, with a little bit of a change in philosophy. But a welcomed change.

For five years, I have worked in an ultra-conservative environment. Prior to that, I went to school in an overbearingly conservative institution. No one could be surrounded by such blindly conservative beliefs for 9 years and not be affected. Perhaps at first, in college, I felt comfortable. But once I started to come into my own beliefs and ideas, I felt I could never voice them. Then I took this job I am now leaving. My surroundings were so closed minded to even my moderate views. I was seen as a bleeding-heart liberal. And after being told I was too liberal to voice my views around my colleagues, I began to want to distance myself from my surroundings. A number of those in this surrounding have accepted the dogmas of their friends and families so willingly, without any personal searching, and they openly voice their opinions without any knowledge or certainty. It is from these people that I have become who I am, having fought for the reasoning behind my beliefs.

Now that I leave this place for a more liberal setting, I wonder if I will become more conservative. Perhaps I will fit right in with my new liberal colleagues. Perhaps they will push me to develop and try many of the things I have wanted to do here but have lacked the support.

I can only hope that I had some kind of influence on the people I have taught and coached through the years. Without preaching my beliefs, I have tried to open minds to encompass more than just this town or county, more than this state or nation, more than just one set of beliefs. My hope, upon leaving what has been my home for five years, is that my former students and athletes will recognize that they are more than just an individual set on this earth to serve their individual needs and desires; they are here more than just to satisfy themselves or even their immediate surroundings. I want them to get out: get out from underneath their parents, whether they be good or bad, and become and individual; get out of their hometown to develop some sense of self sufficiency; get out of their comfort zone to learn more than what can be taught in books.

Now all I can do is wait to see what happens with them. My job here is done. On to the next.

Bee Adventure

Who knew I would love bees as much as I do? I finished Fruitless Fall last weekend. It was enlightening. These little creatures are so fascinating. There’s so much to learn from them and so many reason to love and respect them. We have hesitated telling our neighbors about our bees because we know so many of them will probably look at it with a closed mind, call us crazy, and find a reason for use to get rid of them. I know that some people do have serious allergic reactions to bees, but statistically, that’s a pretty small number. Many people think they do because the bites swell and burn and itch for days, but that’s the typical reaction. Bee stings suck, but you’ll live if that’s all that happens to you. How could anyone want to destroy such an amazing creature for the small pain it might cause?

I had my bee interaction this week on Tuesday. I taught my first day of summer school, did my grocery shopping, and went home to tend the bees. We hadn’t checked the hive since we moved it to the back of the yard, letting them settle and reorient themselves to the new location. When I opened the top cover, I saw that the inner cover was put on upside down, leaving too much space from the top if the hive to the cover, and I could see little mountains of comb inside the cover’s hole. I pried up the inner cover and smoked the bees a little, let it rest a moment, and then pulled the inner cover all the way off.

And what a mess. There was no rhyme or reason to the placement of the comb on top of the frames. It was just everywhere. Where was my bee organization??? It was even on the underside of the inner cover. And bees were all over it, storing nectar in the small pockets. I knew I had to scrape it off, but I knew that that was dangerous to the bees all around. I smoked them again, (I know that much smoke is not good for the honey, but I justified it by saying that it’s not honey we’ll be eating – I guess too bad for the bees) and a number of them went down into the frames, but many seemed to be engorging themselves on nectar or depositing it. I gently began to scrape the nearest comb off the frames, trying not to injury anyone. The hive tool began to be coated with nectar, and some of the bees panicked. I dropped the comb on a concrete slab next to the hive, in the hopes that the bees would be able to retrieve that nectar and bring it back to the appropriate place in the hive. Some of them buzzed pretty harshly as I dropped them on the stone, but many just tumbled on it, covered in nectar and probably about as high as could be.

After about ten minutes, I wasn’t even halfway done and the bees were upset at me. It was 94 degrees outside and I was wearing my khakis and polo from work under my bee suit. Sweat was dripping from the nose and down the back of my neck. I could feel my clothes plastered to me under the suit. But I knew that if I left this until next time, it would be even worse. The bees would be more protective, as it was, they weren’t swarming me too much, only three or four, and none had wasted her life trying to sting me, so I carried on.

After about forty minutes, I had the comb scraped off the frames, and I still needed to check some of them for brood and honey. I pulled the frame closest to the feeder, the one that only had the beginnings of comb the last time I check, about a week and half ago. On it, I noticed healthy, brood in the center, much of it already capped – we should have new bees soon from it. I could see the white larvae about six days old still curled in the comb. At the top of the frame were numbers of capped cells of honey (mostly the sugar water, I assume). Then I saw a very frustrating thing: mites. I only saw two, but I only looked at two frames. Who’s to say how many others are already in the capped brood cells?

Patrick and I discussed what to do—do we introduce chemicals to kill off the mites like so many profitable beekeepers do? Or do we do as many organic hobbyists do and let nature take its course and hope we get the strongest of our bees to survive? I know we definitely don’t want to introduce chemicals for any reason—we’re not in it for profit, so why be so destructive? But I also worry about all those bees being killed off by this little vermin. Hopefully, because I only saw a couple, it won’t be too bad. We already have a screened bottom board, which is supposed to be helpful in ridding a colony of mites or of preventing mites. And I’m going to try a very simple technique: powdered sugar. I read that you can dust them with powdered sugar ever week or so, and it forces the bees to clean each other more often. I have witnessed many of them cleaning each other pretty thoroughly when I’ve checked the hive before, but hopefully this will force them to pull mites off each other.

Anyway, I checked two good frames of brood, pollen, and capped honey. My smoker had gone out, and many of the bees had returned to the top of the frames near the entrance—the dance floor frames, most likely where the queen was. I decided I had disturbed them enough, so I shook some who were on the inner cover back into the hive, inverted it, and correctly placed it on the hive. Then I put the heavy outer cover back on and retreated. This time, only one followed me, and she didn’t follow that far. That evening, though, they called in the troops and set hundreds as guards at the entrance, afraid of another attack. Yet they continued their work yesterday and I’m sure will do the same today.

As much as I want some rain, I do need a clear day maybe Sunday or Monday to get back in and dust them with sugar and examine the rest of the frames. I’ll record more on that visit later.

As for DB, he’s not too fond of the bees. When they were beside the fence and shooting out in the middle of the yard, he didn’t like it at all—they were right at the place he used to cross the fence, and I’m guessing they didn’t like him very much, considering he’s small, black, and furry like a skunk—natural predator of bees. But now that they’re moved, he seems much happier to hang out in the back yard.