Writer’s Welcome

by Jordan Milne

July 25,2008

As a child, I was terrified of bees. When I was 8 years old, I was told I was allergic to them—among most other things—and so my mother made sure I was armed with my Epipen anti-venom shot every time I ventured outdoors.

Jordan Milne

Now, 16 years down the trail, I have discovered that bees help my allergies more than they have ever hindered them. Last summer, after years of taking every allergy pill, shot, and spray known to man, I stop taking all prescriptions and turned to local bee pollen and honey instead. A year later I am still "drug free," and feeling better than ever.

I have yet to discover if I am truly allergic to bees, as I've never been stung. It's a bit of a wonder considering I began assisting a beekeeper a few months back in order to learn the trade myself.

After hearing about my work in the "beesness," CBT editor David Reed asked me to write an article about the challenges beekeepers are facing, and to write this note as a back story.

Since "Bob the Beekeeper" (Bob Verslues) has taken me under his wing, I have had fascinating encounters with bees, without feeling fear. The most momentous event came during my first swarm collection when I was completely surrounded by the insects, as if I was inside a snow-globe that was just shaken. My most stressful experience was seeing a hive in which the bees had starved to death, unable to venture out for food due to the constant rain. And perhaps the most humorous—for me at least—was when Bob was stung square on the nose.

Above all, the bees put me at ease. I enjoy watching them work in unison and listening to the beautiful buzz while I clean the hives. As a yoga teacher in training, I find that their "om," or universal sound, resonates with me, and I believe that the bees are teachers in their own right.

I have great respect for the bees and am realizing more and more that our co-existence is crucial, not only to help alleviate our allergies, but also to ensure the future of our food.

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