AUGUST 13, 2012 BEE WELL TEA

."....."The United States was founded by the brightest people in the country---and we haven't seen them since."

"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

Gore Vidal

Eugene Luther Gore Vidal (  October 3, 1925 – July 31, 2012) was an American writer known for his essays, novels, screenplays, and Broadway plays. Vidal was a lifelong Democrat; he ran for political office twice and was a longtime political commentator. As well known for his essays as his novels, Vidal wrote for The Nation, the New Yorker, the New York Review of Books and Esquire. Through his essays and media appearances, Vidal was a longtime critic of American foreign policy. Vidal's best-known novels fell into two distinct camps: social and historical. His most widely regarded social novel was Myra Breckinridge;( movie sytared Raquel Welch and Mae West)  his best known historical novels included Julian, Burr, and Lincoln. His third novel, The City and the Pillar (1948), outraged conservative critics as one of the first major American novels to feature unambiguous homosexuality.  This is the Gore Vidal I loved so much. Vidal always rejected the terms of "homosexual" and "heterosexual" as inherently false, claiming that the vast majority of individuals had the potential to be pansexual. His screenwriting credits included the epic historical drama Ben-Hur (1959), into which he claimed he had written a "gay subplot." Ben-Hur won the Academy Award for Best Picture.  He has been described as the 20th century answer to Oscar Wilde. He will be missed



This was a beeesy weekend. It is always refreshing for Rick and I to observe our bees and open the hive. This weekend was different. Rick decided to videotape. We have decided to do a Bee Series as well as a future Herbal series. Although the summer is ending , we both enjoy the Fall weather.

Quantity is for two treatments ‐ you need two 1-­‐quart jars

In a ceramic or stainless steel pot , bring 3 cups of good water to a boil. As a herbalist I wanted to make an immune boosting tea for the girls. I added 1/2 tsp of chamomile, yarrow, stinging nettles and peppermint. This is almost the same tea formula I used for Longevity's Cold and Flu Herbal Organic Tea-  ( see www.longevitynutritionals.com) I could have added some dandelion for a detoxification. Rick wanted to add more spice herbs to the mixture - so he added sage, thyme, and lemon balm. Together we threw in some echinacea ( we did 1/4 tsp of each) We let steep for 10 minutes to really get the aroma. We strain through a cloth ( different than when we are making a cup of tea ) We then add 3 cups of cold water to balance the temperature of the Bee Tea Brew.
We then 1/2 lb of good honey. So you may ask what is good honey ? It is usually from one of friend's farms upstate. The last time we used this type of method we added good French honey . We acquired this honey from our friend Nicole when she returned to the United States. We enjoy honey from all over the world.

There was enough to feed both hives- front and back of the house. We even have some left over before the end of the Fall ( when flowers are sparse)

It was a frenzy of feeding for the girls. We love them.

Until tomorrow...
Photograph Credit: Rick Byrd