"Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again." A song with the title, Pick Yourself Up was recorded April 11, 1962 by Frank Sinatra. It was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields.
Now nothing's impossible, I've found for when my chin is on the ground
I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.
Don't lose your confidence if you slip, be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up, dust off, start over again.
Work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, start all over again.
You gotta work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall and then to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.
This past weekend as Rick looked on, Alyssa, Vincent and myself walked in the Pride House Garden in Cherry Grove to uncover thousands of our dead girls (honeybees) in the hive. I believe from inspection this was no varroa mite, but starvation. Rick and I left plenty of honey in the hive. We couldn't predict that 'the girls' would venture out in the warm February/March sun. Unfortunately this is nature. We loaded the wagon to bring the hives to another rental home on the island. I washed the hives. I pulled honey comb wax from the frames. Some had bees still within their combs. As Rick looked on I had tears in my eyes. I do not think anyone can predict the outcome of a hive. It depends on so many variables. He came over to give me a hug. I started humming the above Frank Sinatra lyrics. We will try again. To make sure there is a water source, Vincent (Vinny) and I installed, cleared, cleaned and have an operating fish pond.
In addition to our girls on Fire Island , we also brought our girls to live on another island. This year we have the pleasure of bringing honeybees to The Child School/ Legacy High School on Roosevelt Island. The hives have been bought. We must set it up this week, and await the delivery of our girls. It has been approved from all appropriate boards. Rick and I will teach Bee Keeping to the select students. We will begin to set up the terrace on the second floor of 566 Main Street. This will be a rewarding experience for all involved.
Established in 1996, Legacy High School educates students, grades 9-12, with learning disabilities. Legacy is one of the few state approved non-public high schools in New York City that provides students with the academic, emotional, and social support needed to succeed. Its leader, Salvatore Ferrara is a great man. He emphasizes that, "..childhood is a one time event. It cannot be redone." In other words he recognizes the weight of responsibility for engaging kids during their formative years. We must thank Sal and Aleta St James for their time, support and belief in us. Thanks - guys !
The students and their aspirations are remarkable. Emotional and learning differences are seen as challenges rather than limitations and the students respond in profoundly positive ways. In fact, they recently placed second - beating out schools the likes of Stuyvesant and Bronx Science - in a city-wide academic competition known as WorldQuest. We encourage you to look at http://www.thechildschool.org/ .
Photo Credit: Rick Byrd, PhD ( top two photographs: Dead Bees and Holding a Frame)
Photo Credit: Patrick Fratellone MD RH ( three bottom photographs: Bee Xing, New Hive Set-up and our New pond - no koi yet )
Until tomorrow...
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