I write at the very end of May. Woof. May 2011 has been pretty interesting, to put it mildly. In case you don’t know, I had a routine colonoscopy in April and was found to have a tumor which, in May, was removed. A couple of pesky extra cells were found, however, so it looks like I’ll be having some follow up treatment that will probably start in June, promising to make that, and the next few months “interesting” too. (Argh.)
I have had two previous experiences with cancer, as you may or may not know. And, as I remind myself, I’m still here and trust that I will continue to be for a good long while. There!
In other news – just as, or probably MORE important:
My book proposal for a book on honey and bees has been accepted by a publisher! This is huge news for many reasons, not the least of which is that I get a whole year to write it and will be able to work on it while I am here at work and also while I am at home. So yay!
Things are going well in my home apiary. As you may know, I went into last winter with four hives of bees. Two seemed okay but two seemed like they might not make it through the winter. As it turned out, only one made it through and it somehow managed to get to spring without a Queen – an unsustainable place for a bee colony. My mentor gave me a boost to give to that hive so they could make another Queen (a complicated procedure.) Well, they did not make a Queen so we’re trying again. My mentor came to help survey the scene with (briefly, they take a cell that has a new egg in it, create a special, Queen-sized home for it, feed it with extra Royal Jelly, and, just like that (!), it becomes a Queen!) Stay tuned for the Queen update. I should know in a week or so if this one is going to make it.
And, most importantly, I send the highest amount of praise to the awesome team here at Laurey’s. As you may imagine, it is not every team that can rise to the occasion of the unexpected absence of the boss. I had planned to be the cook on some recent parties. I had been the main planner on some recent parties. I had promised to present at some parties. ‘Twas not to be.
So MAJOR kudos to:
Emily and Noel – amazing behind-the-scene detail organizers, planners, make-it-happen gals;
Brendan, Adam, Martha, Deb, Marty, Barbara, Lito, and Rolando, Edith – cooks extraordinaire;
Andrew, Austin, Andy, Kendall, Laura, Kathleen, Irvegg, Jon – shopsters and awesome folks;
And Leslie and the team of caterers who serve all the parties and make it all look smooth.
I am truly blessed with these friends and co-workers. Truly.
