Country Mouse Monday: the hive & the present (+ give-away!)
Monday, October 14, 2013 at 09:00AM 
Opening a bee hive is like opening a present.
You know some things in advance, just from the shape of the package. Plus, this ain't your first rodeo -- or birthday or Christmas -- so you have some sense of what might be inside the box.
But until you take off the cover and start to unwrap that colony, you don't really know anything.
Opening a bee hive is like opening the present.
Once that lid is off and you start to pull frames, turning them in the sunlight looking for eggs, for larvae, for -- oh, the never-ending thrill of her -- the Queen,
there is only that one precious moment.
Sure, you planned for this -- you have an idea what you're looking for, hoping to see. You got your tools together, the spare frames, the notebook, whatever. You remember what it was like last time at this hive, and the time before that, and all the times at all the others you've ever worked.
But all of that fades, takes a back seat, when you're elbow deep in the hive, inside the cloud of their sound. There's nothing to do but breathe in and out, maybe hum. Nothing to do but be in it. Now.
All that matters is what's right in front of you. What do you see?
For me, that is the true gift of keeping bees. Sure, today there was the glee of seeing that finally there's pollen in the hive, and nectar, finally! And the omg-there-she-is Queen-sighting (never gets old). And of course, not today but other times, there's the honey.
But the real sweetness is elsewhere: it's in that moment when nothing else is happening except communing with tens of thousand of industrious little creatures working as one to sustain the organism of which they are a part all while serving every flowering plant in the neighborhood.
That is the present. That is a present.
* * * * *
credit: beeswrapAnd with all this talk of gifts and presents, here's one for YOU.
For over a week now, I've been happily using Bee's Wrap in my kitchen. It's a beeswax and cloth food storage alternative -- uh, in other words, a great-smelling reusable alternative to plastic. So far I've used it to cover bowls of left-overs and wrap up half an avocado I was saving for a second lunch. Perfect!
And now, thanks to the generosity of the lovelies at Bee's Wrap, you can win your very own set of three sizes for your very own kitchen! Thank you, Bee's Wrap!
To enter, please leave a comment on this post, sharing what brings YOU into the present moment. If you have any tips for staying there, that's great, too! ;>
Please help out our generous friends at Bee's Wrap by sharing this post and contest to your networks. Let's do what we can do spread the word about this great new homegrown, woman-powered product.
Entries accepted through Sunday 10/27. Winner to be selected and announced on Monday 10/28. US addresses only -- sorry, overseas friends! I paid for my own Bee's Wrap. Everything I say here is purely (as usual) my own opinion.
Bee's Wrap, bees, beeswax in Country Mouse Monday
Reader Comments (13)
I've been wanting to try Bees wrap! I started my own hives last year just to help the environment. We found a hollow log full of honey bees on our property and put two hives next to it. I bought bees for these. Unfortunately neither hive survived the winter, but we were so excited to discover on an early summer walk that some new native bees had moved into one of the hives. Now we have two thriving colonies - the hollow log is still going strong.
In the scheme of things this was a huge moment for me - a blessing from the universe and hope for the future.
Anytime spent in nature or with friends and/or family never fails for me.
Snuggling with my children while reading them a bedtime story really brings me into the present moment. I just discovered your blog and am looking forward to reading past entries. I'd love a chance to win the Bee's Wrap! Thank you for the chance.
I am able to stay in the present moment by being observant of my emotions and reactions to daily stresses-- things that would otherwise cause me to roll my eyes, sneer, rant, etc, I instead give a little laugh. I try to view these annoyances as reminders of why I'm grateful in life and the laughter helps me recognize the absurdity in wasting energy on something negative. I free up headspace to think about my ideal kitchen, and wrapping up leftovers from a perfectly made meal in Bees Wrap.
After 33 years of marriage, my husband still reaches for my hand first. THIS brings me into the present moment each time it happens.
Bees Wrap in my kitchen or picnic basket? Hmm, I can smell it, see it, and hear the gentle sound of slowly wrapping my sandwich.
I love bees and beeswax. I am avoiding as much plastic as possible. :)
My children are a present every day. :) I love bee's wraps!
Have been wanting to try these for a while now. They look like they would be fabulous to use!
Living in the crazy business of New York City, I find the present moment by escaping to green spaces, like Central Park. Have been dying to try Bee's Wrap - what a great giveaway!
Cooking helps me stay in the present moment! There's something about chopping up vegetables and fruit and measuring out ingredients that I find very meditating. It helps me focus on what I'm doing at the moment and stay relaxed!
I try to get into the present moment by just sitting back and checking in on myself once and awhile. I'm definitely an over-thinker, so it's a skill I have been trying to work on.
A hot cup of tea!
We have a winner! Check out: ow.ly/qf7F0
xo