I am not the only doctor who loves bees. CC Miller was a trained physician who took up beekeeping as a hobby in 1861. In 1878 he closed his medical practice and turned full-time to the bees. This is my kind of guy. He wrote the book, Fifty Years Among the Bees, a Memoir and Practical Guide to being successful as a maker of honey. I own a copy of his original book
Not only will you find bees fascinating but the history of beekeeping is equally intriguing. You can read about Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth (LLL) who was born in 1810. At age 23 he took up beekeeping as a hobby. Prior to that he studied another insect, the ant. The trouble that LLL found is that to get the honey and comb out you had to destroy the beehive. In 1851 he imagined a new type of beehive. Since bees are so precise (I wish I could be that exact) he had to find the distance needed between frames for bees to move up and down inside the hive. He found this distance to be 3/8 of an inch. He filed a patent. The basic Langstroth hive is the same one I have placed in my garden. In 1853 he published a book (if anyone finds an original copy, please promptly mail it to me- I have an updated copy) called The Hive and the Honeybee. He described the benefits of the hive and good bee management.
My favorite book on Beekeeping today is The Backyard Beekeeper. Yes there are a lot of books to read- but all worth it. Some are The Honey Bee, The Beekeeper's Lament and Bee Democracy. I have a collection of bee books which i treas
I have joined two beekeeping associations, the New York Bee Association as well as the Connecticut Bee Association. It is hard to believe I have been keeping bees for more than 14 years
As beekeeper John Miller states, "This calling feels good." John Miller is from a family of beekeepers. I believe he is the great, great, (possibly 3rd great) grandson of NE Miller, the pioneer man of beekeeping. After reading I have come to the conclusion that LLL, NE Miller and now John are the highest quality beekeepers. Unlike some of the traveling beekeepers we may see today, these men care about bees beyond the service of pollination they provide. NE Miller beekeeping business survived the downs and twists and even the Depression after the 1929 cras
For the most part I am satisfied with my G.O.D chosen calling. However I have been looking for something different in the field of medicine for some time. There are many modalities that heal people-physically, emotionally and psychologically. My calling is expanding-- now including my work as a beekeeper and using Earth Mother for sources of healing.
LLL wrote that the beekeeper must be sure, "...he fully understands and punctually discharges the appropriate duties of each month, neglecting nothing and procrastinating nothing to a more convenient season; for bees do not require a large amount of attention, in proportion to the profits yielded by them, they must have it at the proper time and in the right way."
I have been fortunate in my life. I am the President of the American Apitherapy Society. I have met many unique individuals. Frederique Keller, the past President of the AAS and an acupuncturist in Long Island is dear to me. She is a friend /colleague and a beekeeper. The board members of the AAS are very special- Thanks to Kristine, Michael, Petrusia and Debra for their devotion to the AAS and apitherapy For anyone who wants to see a film of the utmost importance about bees and beekeeping, it is a must to see this film, Queen of the Sun
It is an eloquent confirmation that my sober life ( 29 years this month ) and the people in it are temporary joys, but the time I spend enjoying them is never lost. If I conquer my fears which include even facing the end of my life and leaving behind those I love --I can conquer anything.
Until tomorrow…