Honey Bee Obscura Podcast

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey for a wide-ranging discussion on nucleus colonies, wax production, and the practical realities of working with smaller hives. The conversation begins with a focus on nucs as both a management tool and a learning platform. Anne suggests that beginners may benefit from maintaining not just two full colonies, but also a nuc—providing flexibility for making splits, building comb, and maintaining backup resources such as queens and brood. Jim expands on this idea, noting that nucs are often easier to handle, less intimidating, and allow beekeepers to observe bee biology more closely. From there, the discussion turns to wax production—one of the most fascinating and often overlooked aspects of honey bee behavior. Jim and Anne explore how bees convert incoming nectar or sugar into wax, highlighting the conditions that stimulate wax secretion, including strong nectar flows and colony crowding. They also discuss the commonly cited—but often misunderstood—relationship between honey consumption and wax production. A particularly engaging portion of the episode focuses on "whiting" (or "icing")—the appearance of fresh, white wax along frame edges and top bars. This visual cue signals active wax production and often indicates that additional space or supers are needed. Throughout the episode, Jim and Anne reflect on the balance between scientific understanding and practical experience. While research provides valuable insights, much of beekeeping knowledge still comes from observation, experimentation, and time in the bee yard. This episode captures the curiosity and hands-on learning that define beekeeping, especially when working with nucs and watching bees build comb in real time. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes listeners into the bee yard for what he calls a "bee scene investigation"—a hands-on look at two colonies that failed over winter and what can (and cannot) be learned from their remains. What begins as a straightforward inspection quickly becomes something more reflective. Jim encounters unusual signs, including a colony where the bees died not in a typical cluster—an observation that raises more questions than answers. While signs like dysentery, lack of stores, and robbing activity provide some clues, the exact cause remains uncertain. Jim walks through his thought process in real time, considering possibilities such as queen failure, Varroa impact, or simple colony decline. Importantly, he highlights a reality all beekeepers face: sometimes even experienced beekeepers cannot definitively diagnose a colony loss. The episode also explores the role of robbing in the yard, both as a cleanup mechanism and as a source of agitation among colonies. Jim reflects on management decisions—some intentional, others simply practical—including allowing bees to clean out dead equipment and reducing colony numbers due to local conditions. This Plain Talk episode captures the uncertainty, curiosity, and ongoing learning that define beekeeping—especially when things don't go as expected. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

What does it really mean to put new bees into old equipment—and what does that decision say about how we keep bees? In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Dr. Jim Tew takes a broader, more reflective look at a common springtime practice. Using the simple scenario of installing new bees into old hives, Jim explores the practical, experiential, and sometimes philosophical aspects of beekeeping. While equipment reuse is part of the discussion, the deeper focus is on how beekeepers make decisions—often balancing thrift, convenience, experience, and risk. Jim reflects on the realities of older equipment, including wear, unknown history, and potential lingering issues, but he avoids prescribing rigid rules. Instead, he emphasizes that beekeeping decisions are rarely absolute. What works for one beekeeper—or one season—may not work the same way under different conditions. This Plain Talk episode highlights how experience shapes judgment over time. New beekeepers may look for clear right-or-wrong answers, while more experienced beekeepers learn to weigh trade-offs and accept uncertainty as part of the craft. At its core, this discussion is less about woodenware and more about mindset—how beekeepers approach their colonies, make decisions, and gradually develop confidence through observation and experience. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew reflects on attending a recent Tri-County beekeeping meeting—one he helped organize years ago while working at the OSU Research Center in Wooster, Ohio. His plan was to record conversations with beekeepers at the event and capture some of the voices and stories from the meeting. But sometimes plans change. A packed room, wind, and background noise made recording nearly impossible. Back at the bee yard, Jim shares his impressions of the day instead. Standing in the barn on a cool early-spring afternoon, he describes the signs of the season beginning to unfold: temperatures near 50°F, clear blue skies, and maple trees beginning to bloom—an important early pollen source that signals colonies to start building up. The meeting itself reminded Jim how valuable local beekeeper gatherings can be. Bee clubs and regional meetings bring together people with all levels of experience, creating opportunities to ask questions, share stories, and pass along practical knowledge that doesn't always appear in books. For longtime beekeepers, these gatherings also become part of a personal history—places where friendships develop and where the shared experiences of keeping bees accumulate over time. Even without the interviews he hoped to capture, Jim reflects on the spirit of the day: early spring in the bee yard and the enduring importance of beekeepers coming together to talk about bees. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

On a cold, soggy walk back to the bee yard, Jim reflects on an uncomfortable but important topic: robbing. With temperatures hovering around 40°F and only a hint of flight activity, he begins to question what he's seeing. Are the bees simply stretching their wings, or are they already checking neighboring colonies for available resources? Jim revisits a warm spell from a few weeks earlier when surprising flight activity left him wondering if robbing had begun earlier than expected. With no pollen coming in and no nectar flow underway, what else would bees be searching for? In this episode, Jim challenges the negative framing of "robbing." Is it truly thievery, or is it something more biologically strategic? From a beekeeper's perspective, robbing can devastate weak colonies. But from a survival standpoint, reappropriating abandoned food reserves may be one of the most efficient resource-conservation strategies in nature. Late winter is a quiet season in the bee yard—but as Jim reminds us, even in the cold, the bees are already thinking ahead. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

This week on Honey Bee Obscura, Jim and Anne take listeners south — to Georgia — for a mid-winter comparison of beekeeping realities. Anne recently visited beekeeping friends near the Atlanta latitude and found that while Georgia winters are milder than New York or Ohio, they come with their own management challenges. Unlike northern operations that rely heavily on solid winter feed, Georgia beekeepers depend on syrup feeding much of the year due to extended nectar dearths following an early June harvest. Jim and Anne discuss the practical art of "hefting" colonies to estimate food stores, why winter management differs dramatically between regions, and how a long nectar gap — whether in the South after June or in the North after goldenrod — requires careful planning. They also compare small hive beetle pressure and varroa control strategies. In central Georgia, small hive beetles are a more visible and persistent concern due to milder soil temperatures, and oxalic acid treatments are more common than formic products due to higher seasonal temperatures. From single deep brood chambers to syrup-based feeding strategies, this episode highlights how geography shapes beekeeping decisions. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this reflective winter walk-through, Jim Tew returns to the bee yard expecting discouraging losses—but instead finds surprising signs of life. Colonies he believed were gone are flying, cleansing, and holding on after one of the coldest winters in recent memory - miracle bees! As Jim navigates snow, mud, and the emotional ups and downs of winter beekeeping, he shares candid thoughts about preparation, neglect, resilience, and the seasonal rhythm that every beekeeper eventually learns to accept. The episode explores how enthusiasm for beekeeping naturally waxes and wanes during the long off-season, especially in colder climates where little can be done beyond waiting and hoping. Jim reflects on differences between warm- and cold-climate beekeeping, the visible evidence of cleansing flights in snowy landscapes, and the quiet science hidden in simple observations—like how far bees travel to die or relieve themselves. Most importantly, this episode captures a turning point: the emotional shift from winter doubt to early-spring optimism. Even after setbacks, the survival of a few colonies can rekindle motivation and remind beekeepers why they continue year after year. Sometimes the miracle isn't perfect management—it's simply that the bees made it through. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey to explore the practical and often uncertain process of preparing for spring package bees. Together, they discuss one of the most common beekeeper questions—how many colonies to order—highlighting that the answer depends not only on winter losses, but also on personal goals, budget, and the balance between enjoyment and workload in beekeeping. The conversation then shifts to the realities of transporting packages safely. Jim and Anne emphasize that overheating is the greatest danger during travel, noting the importance of airflow, spacing between packages, and avoiding enclosed vehicles or unnecessary stops that allow temperatures to rise. They share field experiences ranging from hauling large numbers of packages in trucks to improvising cooling strategies with water and ventilation—illustrating how quickly confined bees can become stressed or perish without proper care. Beyond logistics, the episode reflects on the evolving motivations of beekeepers over time. Jim candidly considers scaling back to a smaller, more enjoyable number of colonies, while Anne reinforces that maintaining fewer hives can still be a meaningful and successful beekeeping path. The discussion ultimately returns to the excitement of beginning each season anew, reminding listeners that thoughtful planning—and keeping beekeeping fun—are just as important as the bees themselves. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

Winter doesn't always offer tidy lessons, and in this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew takes listeners with him into a brutally cold Ohio bee yard. Standing among hives buried in snow after weeks of extreme temperatures, Jim shares an honest, unfiltered look at what it feels like to face possible winter losses—without inspections, without answers, and without easy optimism. Rather than offering prescriptions or quick fixes, Jim reflects on expectations versus reality. He talks candidly about how weather outside a region's "normal range" can push colonies beyond their limits, even when bees have adequate stores and minimal disturbance. Listeners will hear Jim wrestle with hard questions many beekeepers face quietly: How many colonies should I replace? Packages or splits? What could I have done differently—and what might not have mattered at all? This episode also touches on broader themes of resilience and perspective. Jim contrasts textbook claims about cold tolerance with lived experience, and he acknowledges the financial and emotional weight winter losses carry, especially later in life. Yet, even in the coldest moments, the episode closes with resolve. Beekeeping is not abandoned because of a bad winter—it's continued because of the good days that come after. This is Plain Talk at its most raw: reflective, sobering, and deeply familiar to anyone who has ever stood quietly in a winter bee yard wondering what spring will bring. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew records from his shop as a major winter storm approaches, using the moment to reflect on beekeeping, weather, and long-term planning. He shares a personal story about storms, preparation, and unpredictability before turning his attention to the coming season and what lies ahead for his apiary. Jim discusses plans to rebuild his colonies after winter losses, including ordering packages, establishing a single outyard, and returning to what he calls "traditional beekeeping," with a renewed focus on insulation and colony comfort. He walks listeners through recent equipment choices, including insulated inner covers, winter feeding options, and the challenges of managing moisture and heat retention during extreme cold. The conversation also touches on adopting modern tools such as hive sensors, balancing old-school practices with new technology, and making practical decisions about foundation, equipment reuse, and labor as a solo beekeeper. Throughout the episode, Jim reflects on aging, changing goals, and the humility that comes with starting over—again. As the storm settles in, Jim closes with a reminder to stay safe, look out for one another, and remember that beekeeping, like many pursuits, is a continual process of learning, adapting, and beginning anew ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this Plain Talk episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares thoughtful reflections following his recent experience at the North American Honey Bee Expo. Walking the show floor, Jim was struck not only by the size and energy of the event, but by how dramatically beekeeping equipment, ideas, and approaches have evolved over the years. Jim revisits pivotal moments from his career—early encounters with Africanized bees, queen rearing efforts, international travel, and decades of teaching—and contrasts those experiences with the sheer volume of new hive designs, protective clothing, and management philosophies now available to beekeepers. The pace of innovation, he observes, has reached a point where no single beekeeper can realistically absorb it all. Rather than seeing this as a problem to solve, Jim introduces the idea of stepping back. He reflects on what he jokingly calls "retrogressive beekeeping"—choosing familiarity, simplicity, and practices shaped by experience rather than novelty. At this stage of life, the joy of beekeeping comes not from chasing every advancement, but from understanding one's limits and embracing what remains meaningful. Equally important were the personal conversations Jim had with listeners. Meeting beekeepers face-to-face, hearing their stories, and receiving their encouragement reminded him that beekeeping has always been as much about people as it is about bees. This episode is a quiet, honest meditation on aging, change, and rediscovering purpose within a community that continues to grow. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this special, on-the-floor episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew records live from the bustling floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. It's Jim's first time attending NAHBE, and the scale of the event leaves a strong impression—thousands of beekeepers, hundreds of vendors, and an industry that has grown far beyond what many long-time beekeepers first experienced. As Jim walks the show floor, he reflects on how dramatically beekeeping equipment, protective gear, and technology have evolved. From queen grafting stations and instrumental insemination equipment to automated honey processing systems and modern hive components, the Expo highlights just how diverse and innovative beekeeping has become. Jim also observes how today's beekeepers—especially newer ones—are entering the craft at a time of unprecedented access to tools, information, and community. Along the way, Jim chats briefly with attendees, notes the energy of the honey tasting area, and shares the simple joy of being surrounded by people who care deeply about bees. This short, unscripted episode captures the atmosphere of NAHBE and offers listeners a sense of what it's like to walk the floor—noise, crowds, enthusiasm, and all. It's a quick slice of plain talk beekeeping from the middle of one of North America's largest beekeeping gatherings. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

Beekeeping today looks very different than it did just a few decades ago, largely because of the steady arrival of invasive pests and pathogens. In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey for a thoughtful, experience-based discussion on how beekeepers have responded to these challenges over time. Jim and Anne reflect on the early days of tracheal mites, the arrival of Varroa, and the emergency treatments that once dominated management strategies. They discuss how research, regulation, and practical experience gradually replaced panic-driven responses, leading to more stable—though still imperfect—approaches to colony health. The conversation also revisits Colony Collapse Disorder, how public understanding diverged from beekeeper reality, and what long-term data revealed about recurring cycles of loss. Looking forward, Jim and Anne turn their attention to emerging threats such as Tropilaelaps mites and the yellow-legged hornet, emphasizing the role of human movement in spreading invasive species. While the challenges are real and ongoing, they agree that today's beekeepers are better equipped than ever to adapt, monitor, and respond. This episode offers perspective, historical context, and plain talk for anyone trying to understand how modern beekeeping arrived where it is—and why adaptability remains essential. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this New Year's Day episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey for a timely and practical conversation about wintering honey bee colonies during extended cold spells. As winter settles in across much of North America, Jim and Anne focus on what beekeepers can—and cannot—do during deep winter to support colony survival. The discussion centers on insulation, emergency feeding, and realistic expectations when temperatures plunge. Anne explains why it's not "too late" to add insulation, how minimal disturbance compares to the consequences of starvation, and why proactive feeding decisions often matter more than perfect timing. Together, they explore how clusters respond to disturbance, why insulation at the top of the hive plays a critical role in managing condensation, and how beekeepers can make calm, informed choices even in the coldest months. Jim and Anne also examine ongoing debates around ventilation versus condensing hives, drawing on observations from wild colonies, research by Tom Seeley, and years of hands-on experience. The conversation widens to include polystyrene versus wooden hives, winter behavior in northern versus southern climates, and the delicate balance between insulation, solar gain, and cleansing flights. Grounded in plain talk and practical experience, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and actionable guidance for beekeepers wintering colonies as one year ends and another begins. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this Christmas Day Plain Talk episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew offers listeners something intentionally different. Rather than focusing on hive management or seasonal techniques, Jim invites listeners into a reflective conversation shaped by memory, family, and the passage of time. Jim begins by acknowledging that Christmas has never been a strongly beekeeping-centered season for him. From there, he shares a formative story from early in his beekeeping life—one that begins with his passion for woodworking and building his own beekeeping equipment and ends with a Christmas Day epiphany. Surrounded by stacks of partially built frames and running a saw while his family gathered inside, Jim realized something important had been lost. That moment marked a turning point, changing how he balanced making things with simply being present. The episode weaves through additional Christmas memories, including childhood disappointments, restored gifts that went unappreciated at the time, and the slow understanding that comes with age. Jim reflects on his father's quiet sacrifices, the meaning of reuse and repair, and how perspective reshapes memories long after the wrapping paper is gone. Jim also shares a humorous and thoughtful story about his childhood realization that Santa Claus might not arrive the way he imagined, marking another moment of growing up without spoiling the magic for others. He closes by reminding listeners that not every Christmas needs to be perfect to be meaningful, offering gratitude for shared stories, past experiences, and the opportunity to simply talk together—one more time. ______________________ Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC