Author Archives: viennajames
You Too Can Do It On Four Pairs Of Knickers, Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE: A CASTLE IN THE SAND The prospect of finding a ‘home away from home’ was titillating. The wishing-well of possibilities was bottomless. I stepped back to take stock of my situation and to ask myself some pertinent questions. … Continue reading
You Too Can Do It On Four Pairs Of Knickers, Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO: GOING FORWARD The next logical step was to notify friends and family. But as I pondered this presentation, my mind envisioned a press conference whereby I was bombarded with questions “Where are you going? How are you … Continue reading
You Too Can Do It On Four Pairs Of Knickers, Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE: THE COMMITMENT The commitment began with gusto but also with apprehension. One minute I was sharing cocktails with Jack while bitching about work, and the next, making a declaration that I was headed to Europe. Executing this brainchild … Continue reading
The Martian Has Landed
Andy Weir is my new hero! Not because he wrote a best seller that is now a motion picture, but because of HOW he wrote this wonderful book. He began with his own passion for science….saw story potential…and commenced posting … Continue reading
They Bee Gone
It was way too quiet during January and February. Even with my ear plastered to the side of the hive box, I heard nothing. Nevertheless, being a greenhorn in the bee keeping world, I had plenty of plausible justifications … Continue reading
One Beer Too Many
No later than five. I’m pretty sure that’s what Chuck said when we spoke on the phone two days ago. Chuck is really Charles Vanderbuilt, (nope, no relation to those people.) He is my guy friend that now lives in … Continue reading
Bee-Dazzeled
With the temperatures dropping and winter setting in, I knew that my visits to the hive would be far fewer. Cold is not a bee’s friend, so I added a dividing board to shrink the interior space that needed warming, … Continue reading
The Beeginning of the End
I instinctively knew that things were off-key long before I openly admitted it. By September I began to discern subtle changes in the comforting buzzing and the fragrant smell of warm honey. The explosion of freshly produced ivory combs … Continue reading
They Mite Bee Bad
At the height of summer, the hive was gangbusters. Twenty of the originally bare wood bars, were loaded with brood, pollen, honey and bees. The mini city bustled with activity and the nature of the hive was gentle and content. … Continue reading
On Bee-ing Stung
We newbees were warned from the first day of class about the inevitability of being stung. “It goes with the territory” the old sages told us. And because we were like teenagers getting behind the wheel of a car … Continue reading
For The Love of Words 