I am pleased to report that I checked on my last hive yesterday, the one that is far afield, and it is doing well. It has little red mites clinging to some of the bees, but the smell is sweet, the traffic at the front entrance is encouraging and they still have some capped honey in the hive.

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So 4 out of 4 have survived January. How encouraging!

At Andrea‘s suggestion from this post, I have been trying to define what community means to me. Marc put it very succinctly.

A community is: People, seeing each other often, in meaningful ways, and effectively interacting with each other in a positive caring environment.

Now putting this into practise has been harder for me than I would have first assumed. I’ve tried following up with people who say that they want to have tea/coffee so that we engage with each other. That has worked to a minimum to be honest. Then I have tried going places where lots of people will be and having conversations. I have not found this to be very satisfying yet. I have also tried to nurture the relationships that I already have.

At this point, I think that I am envious of the bees. They don’t have to figure out their place in the hive. When they are babies, they are cared for and fed. When they are young bees they have a specific job to nurse the babies and then to process the food coming into the hive. Then they are foragers. They don’t have to wonder at their place. They have meaningful purposeful interactions with their little comrades constantly.

The other trail of thought is to just let it “bee.” Those who come into my life, I will love and enjoy. This more laid-back approach may be more healthy for me than striving for meaningful exchanges.

How have you attempted to build community around you? What ways have you been successful or discouraged? I’d love to hear from you. I know this virtual community really encourages me.