Okay. I'm back. Please bear in mind I'm still only hitting on every other cylinder.
Were to start? First, the trip down there was fun, long, but fun. Good conversation AND Lazy did all the driving. Makes me think he talked to my wife. After a scenic trip through the backwoods of West Virginia, I think Lazy wanted to take a romantic drive, I don't know, scared me! We ended up at Son of Iddee's house. Late. It might have been 10 or 11 their time. They welcome us in with food still hot out of the oven. I know, right? Who does that? I'm starving to death but not wanting to say, "I could eat a horse!", for fear that Iddee might just say, "Good, that's what we're having!". Iddee takes my plate and puts a heaping "man size" helping on it. Looks good, smells good, so I dig right in. I'm wolfing food down, potato salad and whatever the other thing is. Nawing away I think to myself, this isn't bad. Consuming a little more I think, maybe even said out loud, this is good! As I'm wiping up the plate, all but licking it clean, Iddee says, "Any guesses?" Me? I have no idea. That's when he let's me know I've been dining on coon. The thought kinda throws me, but if it's good, it's good! Right? The thought still kinda throws me. Oh well, moving on. Have I mentioned the timber rattle snake? No, I see I haven't. So on the Son of Iddee's porch there's a box that looks similar to that of a package of bees. Inside there's a real live rattle snake! I mean come on! Again I ask,"Who does THAT?".
Let me back up. Iddee meets us at an exit to lead us to his son's house. Sounds good right? What he failed to mention is that there was a gene mutation that took place when everyone was running moonshine. Now he can't seem to drive under 100 mph. Have you seen some of those roads? The roads themselves are in REALLY good shape. Nice hard top roads. But hilly, twisty, twining curving sons of guns! And we are trying to keep up with what I thought had to be a crazy man! Honestly, at some point I just closed my eyes and went to my "happy place". I've got a couple pics that I'll TRY to post. For now, I'll say that when just driving down the road is an adventure you know you're in the company of good fun loving people. At one point I was in the back of Iddee's vehicle alternating between Hail Mary's and crying out for my mother! I guess to put things in perspective you need to know that I do most of my driving on gravel. If I'm in a heck of a hurry I'll run it up to 40 maybe 45 but that doesn't happen often. I usually stick around 30 or 35. Soooo. At one point Iddee says, "Follow me to...somewhere.". I say over my shoulder in an off hand way,"Keep it under 90.". I don't think he got over 35 mph that time! So now I know he can do it. I was kind of surprised. I thought he only had two gears, park, and hang the heck on! I hope everyone understands that I say all of this in jest. Iddee absolutely exudes confidence. It's that confidence that puts you at ease. I was never frightened. Amazed yes. Frightened no.
Went through hives with Lazy, Iddee just kind of hung around while we were enjoying ourselves with his bees. Later in the day Lazy told me he felt bad that maybe he hogged all the fun. Opening them up, inspecting frames, queens, brood pattern and so forth while I looked on. What? Me? No way man! Finger fumbling around in Iddees hives with him looking on? No way baby, too much pressure for this newbee. Humble student at the feet of a great teacher kind of thing. Met Kieth. AKA: Friend of Iddee. What a nice guy. He's obviously happy and excited (maybe a little nervous) about the new business he's starting up. Gave us both BEES NEEDZ t-shirts. Can you dig it? I sure do! What a souvenir! I'm excited for him. He's got a really sweet shop set up for storage and construction of bee equipment and a nice area for the showroom. I think he is going to do QUITE well.
Let's talk about Son of Iddee. I think he's about 45. And can he cook? Lord I hope to shout! Best of all he's like this super smoker dude. He smoked a butt roast and made pulled pork that was worth dying for. I found him to be interesting, intelligent, and quite capable of doing whatever might need to be done. These are attributes that I've longed for but never really quite attained. I want to "PLAY" the piano man. I don't want to "LEARN" to play the piano! He has also developed Iddee's ability to find a good deal. On top of all this he's a heck of a nice guy. I believe Iddee is, rightly, proud of him.
Wife of Iddee: You would be hard pressed to find a sweeter gal. I took just a few moments to sit and talk with her. I found her to be open, engaging, and friendly. I guess she's kinda like MY wife in those regards. That's probably why I like her so much! She fixed us meatloaf, green beans (NOT from a can), mashed potatoes, and....wait for it....HOMEMADE BISCUITS! Oh yeah. That was AFTER she made us Banana Bread to munch earlier in the day. Mmmmmm. Banana Bread. With way too much butter!
Okay. So Lazy picked out his nucs and Ive called dibs on a queen. Now it's time to get the nucs and queens ready for travel. Nucs, no problem. Got them selected, screened, and ready to go. I tell you folks, I saw three different Iddee's this weekend. Iddee number one: When he TALKS about honey bees, his eyes sparkle and you can hear in his voice his love of, amazement by, and respect for honey bees. Iddee number 2: When he's working bees, he's all business, his eyes are intent, and he's completely focused. It goes like this: Grumble grumble, where are you?, grumble grumble, Ouch!, grumble, Ouch! grumble grumble, There she is! Queen clip! grumble grumble, Cage! get in there, get in there, grumble, Get out of my light Ted! grumble, You're still in my light! Okay, she's in. Get in there you little attendants. Ouch! two, three, Ouch!, four, there, that should be enough! Cork! Put her over in the shade. Ted! She's still in the sun! Put her in the shade! Grumble, grumble, where are you? grumble, grumble....and the whole thing pretty much repeats itself. Iddee number 3: He has a name for it but I think of him as a "contrarian". Whatever topic you choose. Which ever view of that topic you take, he'll gladly take the other side. It's interesting, and I believe speaks to his intelligence, That he can sensibly and intelligently argue any subject from any side! Makes no difference to him. I think he just enjoys a good debate!
Well, I think I need to close this sixteen page essay that I'm going to call "What I Did This Summer". Before I do...Iddee, Son of Iddee, Wife of Iddee and even Friend of Iddee were among the kindest most welcoming folks I've ever met. Their hospitality was such that I've spent time trying to think of a way to repay, or express my gratitude for, their many, their over the top many, kindnesses. I'm stymied. I'll keep working on it however I'm left with the thought that to even TRY to accomplish that goal, would somehow diminish the gifts of friendship that were so freely given by them. The thought that maybe just a heartfelt "thank you" along with the hope that they understand the depth of my gratitude will have to suffice. When we were leaving Sunday, Iddee told us that if we had any trouble on the way that he had friends all over the country and we should call if necessary. Iddee, I hope that you will add two names from Iowa to your list of friends across the country. Thanks, Ted
