There’s something very peaceful about opening a beehive. Well, OK, not at first.

The very first time you open a hive as a beginner, the bees will probably exercise their wings all together, as you unstick the hive parts from each other and the hive is knocked slightly. (Bees collect tree sap and use it like “bee glue”—called propolis—to plug holes and gaps. It’s also what makes honey slightly antiseptic.) The sound of all the bees buzzing together sounds off alarms and your brain shouts “RUN!”. But you resist.

Later that sound can be quite a soothing sound, because it’s a sign that you’re beekeeping again. And when you’re beekeeping, you’re undisturbable. People cannot approach you in the apiary without a veil and overalls. You can’t easily answer a mobile phone with sticky leather gloves (sticky with propolis). This isolation can make visiting the hives quite a peaceful experience—especially with a cool breeze on a sunny day!

I was wondering if I’m regressing to a womb experience. Any psychologists reading this? What do you think?!

PS. My daughter was born this month. It’s making me think.

PPS. I’m pretty sure undisturbable isn’t a word. Never mind.

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