See the Bees

As SEEn n Valley of the Kings, West Bank … EGYPT 🇪🇬 🐝🇪🇬

This afternoon/evening was such a great example of why Tucson is such a gem! 💎🌵💧

This parched town got pounded by nonstop rain all day. Not to be thwarted by this most welcome blessing, the organizers of and didn’t skip a beat … what was meant to be an indoor/outdoor family BBQ extravaganza turned into a cozy community event snuggled within the newly renovated and beauteous historic Benedictine-monastery-turned-music-venue.

It was a multi-cultural, all ages, diverse, and sweet crowd that came to support the musicians, artists, and vendors. This is what community looks like.

See the Bees was nestled near the buzz of the ladies offering flash tattoos! How apropos ☺️

Looking forward to more shows here! Thank you for the invitation to participate. 💛🐝💛

Tucson! Remember those crazy storms we had a couple of weeks ago? Because of that rain, there is a super bloom of Creosote now. 🌼💛🌼

Those who’ve been in the Sonoran desert during the monsoon season, know this plant well - the oils produced by the plant are what give the desert its unique aroma during the rains. 🌿 For many, this smell is a direct reminder of home.

During a heavy nectar flow, bees will start building new white or yellow wax along the top bars in the hive. This is an indication that they are ready to store more nectar!

I will put some shallows (the boxes that bees store nectar in) on in the next couple of days in the hopes that this bloom might be enough for the bees to make a batch of CREOSOTE HONEY! Talk about desert terroir 😍

Will keep you posted.

Background check done and cleared for another season of volunteering at Pima County Juvenile Court. ✅🐝

I’m so grateful for the unique opportunity I have to collaborate with the University of Arizona Master Gardeners, sharing with young people the importance of bees!

Yesterday I had a group of teen boys who were SO attentive!! They cracked up when I attempted to mimic the waggle dance and loved tasting raw honey. They were so excited to find the queen bee in the observation hive and thought it was cool that she has a court. They also commiserated about the fate of drones 😬 … In the garden they touched worms, tasted herbs, and marveled on the sweetness of a stevia plant.

I love how the boys just shine when given the chance, when treated with respect, and when they feel seen and heard.

Looking forward to more time “at Juve”!