The Bee Guy

Thursday, January 26, 2006

How to handle negative spouses

Thanks to the lumberguy for sending me this question. He's not very good with questions outside his area of expertise, but has the wisdom to send the tough ones to me:
>Hi Peter,

>I bought some poplar from you for hives a few weeks ago. I'm

>presently busy milling the lumber- I don't know why I don't pay you

>to do it... The job always ends up taking me about 20 minutes a

>board foot, what with cleaning and rearranging the shop, resetting

>the breakers, taking out splinters, refilling the kerosene heater,

>putting out the fires, etc.

> I have a few more questions re: beekeeping, e.g. how does one convince one's wife

>they are not certifiably insane for wanting to keep insects prone to

>sting nearby when one's annual honey consumption is about a pound

>and a half, and said spouse doesn't eat any?

>Redundantly,

>Dick

Dear Dick,
This spousal problem will resolve itself in time. She'll spend several hours reviewing the marital vows looking for loopholes. Eventually you'll come home with eyes swollen shut and a bee venom "buzz". She'll think to herself, "I told him so." You'll be thinking, "So this is why guys keep bees." Plus your honey consumption will increase when you start harvesting. Living nearby, just remember the beeguy pays more for bucket quantities of high quality honey than other area honey wholesale buyers.