What I have been doing

[kebee]

 Just a few things I have been doing this year,first my hydroponic garden.
Not doing to well this year, all the squash plants died, my tomatoes growed to big, worms ate most of my cabbage up, green peppers having got large enough, but the romaine lettuce did good. First year that I bought all of my plants at walmart you can bet I will not buy them there again.

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Had a hive to swarm into the cedar tree about 14 feet up within 50 feet of the hive. Went to home depot a got a ten foot ladder to get them, tape a bucket to a pool pole and got them into a hive.Buckel up, close up and took onto stand in bee yard. Next morning took entrance reducer out and went to get the feeder to put on along with the sugar water and by the time I got back they were out and headed up the road, try to follow where they were going but they out ran this old man. I may have spotted the swarm to late and the scouts had return just before I got them, oh and I took the ladder back to home depot







I didn't get the honey that I got last year, one hive had 3 medium super full but the hive that swarm only had one and it had a lot of brood in it so I got none from it, still got 85 12oz bottles though just enough to keep most people happy who wanted some honey. It took all the energy I had and took a week to get over taking the honey from the hive so I have decided to sell my bee and all of my equipment next march.I already have a buyer. Beside I don't want to burden my wife with stuff when I am gone.





 I saw a set up using the decapping tank as a wax melter, got the  idea from ibeelearning on the other site, worked ok but bees kelp getting in it and I though it cost to much to be out in the sun and ruin. I had an old igoo ice chest just setting around so I took the top off, painted black, got some aluminum pans to fit,made a shelf for top pan. had no tee shirts for I cannot stand to wear them so got a couple yards of cotton cloth and cut to fit bottom pan. Had some double glass window I had made for the house which I took out to install a bay window and I got to say I must have let it stay on to long for it broke the bottom glass in quite a few places. Still use it though and can melt dowm 3 pans of cappins a day.
I have got one pan of wax, looks great I think.

[apisbees]

wax looks great, Sorry that the swarm left and sad that you are giving up your bees You will be missed.

[Perry]

Beautiful looking wax.
I lose swarms, but then I catch a few as well, it all comes out in the wash I think.
Think over your decision to let go of beekeeping, you have plenty of time. Perhaps find someone to mentor and leave the tough stuff to them, I know I'm thinking about that already.

[iddee]

Ken, I will be 71 within 2 weeks. I gave up beekeeping last year, but kept a few empty hives setting around. I started helping a local bee supply just to pass the time. I was glad I kept a few boxes. I caught 6 swarms this year and gave 5 away. My wife asked me to keep one. I am assisting 2 men on setting up a trapout tomorrow morning.

My suggestion, sell down, but not out. It is in your blood and it will not go away. You will be needing some of that equipment.
Besides, you are too important a member here to just disappear. Hang in there.

[Lburou]

Ken, I'm sure you will adjust to changes in life and find a new norm.  I'm hoping that new norm includes the zen of beekeeping or something close. 

[efmesch]

Kebee, you're one of the "founding fathers" of this forum.  Closing up shop doesn't suit your status.  As has been said, "Once a beekeeper, always...."  Besides, being 78 years old isn't considered retirement age for a beek these days.  Being the optimist that I am, I plan on celebrating my 77th birthday this summer and can't think of what would suit me more than continuing with bees, even if it is on a low flame.  Keeping the few hives that I still maintain keeps me healthy and maintaining the hives probably provides me with more health than their honey is worth.  I would say that your hives too serve a greater purpose than just producing honey. 
You've been blessed with the ability to appreciate God's gifts through your work with hives and  I think you would regret not having them with you to continue reminding you of those blessings.

Iddee's advice is solid, his wife's advice to him was very wise.  Keep at least one or two hives for the benefits that they will give you.  They'll help carry you well into your 80's and beyond.

When our time comes, getting rid of our left over bees and their equipment will probably be the least of the problems our spouses will have to deal with.

[Lburou]

Ken, let me recommend a horizontal hive to you.  The two I made have worked well.  Much less lifting, and you can get a lot of frames in there and the bees work them all.  Nobody told them that they didn't like to go horizontally and they did it real well. 

[lazy shooter]

Ken:

You are so knowledgeable, neat, smart and diligent.  I too hope you rethink your decision to sell your bees.  I'm 77 years old and still expanding my ranch holdings and my bees.  I have purchased four hives this year to add to my other four.  I have a stint in my heart and all the aches and pains associated with my age, and I don't give two whoops in hades, if I leave my wife and boys with some bees and land to settle up for the inheritance thing.  You and I have worked hard all of our lives so we could enjoy the twilight years.  As stated above, it will be easy to dispose of bees and their associated equipment.

As a suggestion, to visit your local agricultural teacher and ask him/her if they have a student interested in beekeeping.  I bet the answer will be YES.  Teach the youngster and have him/her do the lifting.  I tutor high school kids and adults in our local GED program.  It's fun and rewarding.  Look into it before you sell.

lazy

Whatever you do, you will always be welcome at my camp fire.

[riverbee]

ken,
thanks for your great post and the pictures.  i am sad to read that you are selling your bees and equipment. you have been with us a long time, here from the start and over on bkf. 

i hope you stick around anyway, and post about your gardening or other endeavors, and stay in touch here. i will miss your presence here. 

thanks ken,

rb

ps, the wax looks awesome!  funny you took that ladder back to home depot..............

[kebee]

Thanks every one for your suggestions to keep some bees, but the truth is my health has gone down hill in the last year and I fill fine, praise the LORD, but my strength is gone. I only have energy for about an hour or less in the morning and than I am wore out. I ask my Doc about it and he said comes with age and I know that is not so, but I believe it has to do with my heart.In 2013 I found had heart problems, went to doc to get fix and ended up with a 4800 doc and hospital bill,not counting what they got from medicaid, and heart still not fixed. They were first to put stint in heart and could not since my arteries were like spaghetti in my body and could not get one in, same with the enlarge vessel below my stomach, and with a bad heart after going through a heart test they would not operate on me either. So as much as I would love to keep bees I am really not able to and can find not one in family or friends to help they are to scare to get stung.

[Lburou]

In that case Ken, you will have to be our first World Wide Beekeeper Emeritus.   Maybe iddee or riverbee can put that moniker under your Avatar. 

[kebee]

 Thanks Lburou, but even though I may give the bees up physically I am sure not giving them up mentally, for they will be on my mind for as long as I am living and I will probably be around here  until then, if nothing but listen. I have until March before they are gone.

Ken

[riverbee]

ken,
just know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, best wishes to you! please stick around!

"In that case Ken, you will have to be our first World Wide Beekeeper Emeritus.   Maybe iddee or riverbee can put that moniker under your Avatar."


DONE! thanks lee!  ken you are our first world wide beekeeper emeritus! 

[kebee]

 Thanks riverbee, but I don't think I am worthy of it. Had to look the meaning up again to make sure I knew what the word meant. Thanks a great group of beekeepers. Oh just remember, I got stung the first time with the vent suit while I was taking honey from them so like blue you can get stung though them, it wasn't a bad sting though. Thought I would let you know and it was on the shoulder.

Ken

[apisbees]

I got stung the first time with the vent suit while I was taking honey from them so like blue you can get stung though them, it wasn't a bad sting though. Thought I would let you know and it was on the shoulder.

Ken

That was the bees just taking care of you. They prescribe a little bee sting therapy to clear up all your ailments.