I have been suffering from a headache and general malaise for the past couple of days, probably due to not enough good sleep lately, too much work stress, not enough exercise, and not drinking enough water. (Please don't tell the Conservatives about the water thing. They will blow a gasket.) Then again, go ahead and tell them. Let 'em blow ALL their stupid gaskets. We'd be better off for it.
So one of the best cures I have for many of the above problems (except the Conservatives. That is a problem that is not at all within my power to solve) is to go work in my garden. And one of my favorite things to do is to go do the hard, dirty labor of compost bin maintenance -- or mothering, as I like to say.
I have a wee problem with one of my compost bins: It's been taken over by a colony of bees. And they are awfully protective of the area. I'm not exactly sure what to do about this. So far they have flown at me, around me, and one even flew in my ear. (And if you don't think THAT scared me, then you have an unrealistically high opinion of my courage.)
Amazingly, none of them have stung me. Unfortunately, one HAS stung Mr. Jefferies. And the noise they are making at me is getting a bit louder and more aggressive. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm not stupid. I'm getting the distinct impression that they are trying to tell me, "Woman, we have tolerated your bullshit digging and lid-lifting and walking-around and banging noises so far, but it's time to GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR TERRITORY. OR ELSE."
So anyway, today I very gingerly worked in and around the other two bins (the fourth one has unfortunately fallen apart). I discovered that one was too terribly wet and anaerobic and smelly.
YAY! MY FAVORITE THING!
(I mean it.)
(Yes, I might be a little bit not right in the head.)
I get to pull out the wet, foul-smelling gross stuff, and get all sweaty and muddy and aerate it and relayer it with some dry carboneceous materials -- today it was big old cardboard boxes (one that a refrigerator came in -- because I don't fool around) that I shredded by hand -- and a little bit of soil. And I pulled up a few half-dead tomato plants and bean plants and weeds, and added them to the mix, too.
And while I was mothering the compost, I also happened to harvest the main players for tonight's dinner:
Beets, beet greens, and arugula
Of course, my steno-hands and -forearms are now killing me, because I'm very smart like that.
Also, the headache and body aches are not really that much better, but maybe they will get better in a little while -- maybe after I eat those wonderful things for dinner, even.
Re: the bees. Contact local beekeepers. They'll, at least, know who to contact/ what to do.
Posted by: Emma | Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 04:53 PM
I concur on the H2O. Drink up, Norma. Hope you're feeling better sooner rather than later...
Posted by: Midj | Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 05:24 PM
Mmmmm... (The beet greens, not the anaerobic compost!)
Posted by: gayle | Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 06:12 PM
According to Wikipedia, you are supposed to be 57-60% water. Get to work! (They also say that human infants are about 75% water – which explains an awful lot!)
Posted by: Joannah | Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 09:05 PM
Thank goodness we have a BIG pile of compost and a tractor to turn it over. Maybe if you put in a small hive the bees will gravitate to it, but calling an apiary might be a better way to go. Maybe a day of rest with fluid intake is a good way to go. xoxo
Posted by: margene | Monday, September 16, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Yum to the beets and greens! I've also got a compost bee problem. Bumble bees. Not sure what to do about it but colder weather may take care of it. Waiting to see.
Posted by: S.Kate | Monday, September 16, 2013 at 10:41 AM
I see you still know how to have a good time in the garden! :D
Posted by: Kristen | Monday, September 23, 2013 at 01:40 PM