Oh Honey

We have a plot in a community garden, but I have to admit, I'm not much of a gardener. Although I AM an eater - so I have to be willing to do my part. I hate to weed. The white beetles and grubs in the earth  FREAK ME OUT.  In my defense. there was one time when I was sitting on my little weeding seat, and I felt pain on my legs. Ants - all over my legs climbing under my shorts hem. What happened next was embarrassing to all involved. There was jumping, stamping, screaming and maybe, yes, crying. 

All gardeners, whether they like gardening or not, have to commit to 4 work days over the season. On work days, there is a list of "chores" that need to be done. The list includes weeding the garden for the food assistance center, weeding the flower gardens in the common areas, weeding the fence line, weeding the bee garden, (do you sense a pattern here?). BUT, if you get there early and sign up (there's only 2-3 spots depending on equipment functionality)... mowing the grass. 

I get there early and sign up to mow the grass. I can barely help weed my own garden, so there is no way I'm signing up to weed some other garden! But... no matter how early I get there, if a guy shows up for the work day, the women in charge let the men mow the lawn. No matter when they get there. No matter if they signed up for it. No matter if I'm standing in front of a mower.

"But I signed up!" I explained as earnestly as possible with my hands palms up and bobbing, "AND I was here early! I should be mowing right now!"

"Oh Honey," the older woman said with a patronizing look, "Just let the men mow." She patted my hand, "That's what they like to do."

The blood pressure spike I felt after that exchange almost made me pass out. I decided I needed to find another way to do my part. So...

Over the winter I took a Bee Keeping class. Our community garden has bees and I thought this would fix all my garden problems.  Bee keepers are a kooky bunch. They all know a lot about bees - it is fascinating. I'm lucky, because I'm not establishing my own hive. The hives are in the garden, working. I just join the other bee keepers and help care for the bees. Problem solved.

This past Saturday was the first meeting and work day of the new season. I got introduced as a new bee keeper and stood with my new pack, feeling large and in charge. 

"No fighting for mowing for me this morning," I thought, smirking. 

Patricia, head bee keeper, said the magic words, "There's too much activity in the garden this morning." she said as she shook her head. "The bees are already ready to swarm, everyone needs to steer clear today." She looked at me and winked, "You can go home, we'll call you when they swarm."

I can't wait!