Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Or, O-Hive, as the Chief calls it?
Well.
It's what he asked for for Christmas. Not the thing itself, mind. No. He asked for the green light to build one for himself! Because you see, an observation hive is an indoor bee hive!
Yes! Crazy! I know!
But he really REEEALLY wanted one. So of course Santa said yes. So he has spent most of the year so far figuring out a plan and working out all the problems. It has lots of little features which I'll have to get him to describe. But he's excited to share this crazy thing with you, and now all he needs is a swarm to put in there.
Of the house.
The indoors.
Inside.
Where I am.
Hockey fans, do you know what that is a photo of? And who it is signed by? And why it's Phil's favorite thing, pretty much?* |
You can swing it around, although the hose makes it sort of stay swung out. You can unlatch that latch and harvest the honey or do whatever maintenance you need to do. |
You can close the hose and open up the bottom to clean things out. |
He's made other things, like this stand-up desk below, which is also his own design.
He likes the idea of getting out of that chair and writing on his laptop, standing up. Of course, certain people like Bridget and I are always stealing the computer away from him. Oops, sorry, hon.
Note the air rifle in the background. That man really hates squirrels, and a gun must be at the ready. The screen is always up on that window, the better to make the shot.
Of course, it took many months for him to work out all the details. We nearly always walk in the house through the garage, past his workbench. I had to exclaim many, many times over the progress of this thing.
And this little hatch affair (it goes at the bottom of the hive to close off where the hose attaches, sort of like an airlock so that when you remove the hive you don't have bees still flying in! — and you can see the little slide-out door in the other pictures) took a lot of brainpower to figure out. But it's ingenious. Maybe he can answer any questions you might have, if you happen also to be crazy.
All we need now are two things:
1) a covering for the glass, such as some industrial wool felt, I'm thinking, so the bees can go nighty-night. Anyone have a good source for that?
2) bees.
So if you see some swarming bees, call us. Please. It'll be awesome.**
*It's a picture of Bobby Orr, making his famous Stanley Cup goal. Signed by him to Phil. Wow, huh?
**He'll probably end up splitting one of his (outside) colonies, but he really REEEALLLY wants to capture a swarm. So call.
Mrs. Fordyce says
That is totally impressive, especially the fact that he built it himself! Our local Children's Museum has one, and it has always been my children's favorite attraction!
Becca says
My husband wants to get into beekeeping. I'm all for the honey but I'm not so sure I'd let them indoors. Y'all sure are brave 🙂
Kate says
That is so cool! They have one in my all-time favorite market in my hometown but it isn't nearly that nice to look at. It is the neatest to watch the bees coming and going. And the shop's homemade ice cream is fabulous 🙂 I can't wait to take my boys next time we're in town and now i'm even more excited because I had forgotten about the bees.
Puffin Hen says
Oh, my! beautiful pictures of a fascinating contraption! Congratulations to Phil for a project well done!
I seem to see bee keeping where ever I look at the moment and am drawn and intrigued… but a little resistant too. Could that be because I am allergic to pain?! I love seeing other people braver than me, though. Will this hive be “fully functioning” with a queen, etc?
Alice says
That is a beautiful Observation hive!
Associated story: when I was a wee girl, my mother worked in a contemporary art gallery/theatre space, and one of the art installations involved a very large observation hive. The artist drew on the glass to chart out the hive developments, and other aspects included photographs of the bees and maps of where they were going in the neighborhood to find flowers. (The artist was particularly fascinated by their “dances” and spent a lot of time studying them.) Apparently, I was shown the observation hive and he pointed out the queen, and the worker bees, and I asked (as a four year old would), “where's the artist bee?”
Jen says
Wow, that is ingenious! I have never seen anything like that. My husband is interested in bees too, maybe someday we will have our own swarm.
Nadja says
I love bees and can't wait to have a couple of hives myself! The observation hive looks great–the children's room at our library has one, and I find it fascinating!
Misty says
I must say you a a very brave woman to allow the bees into your home! We just saw one of those types of hives in a country store over the weekend. It really was fun to watch. Thanks for hosting PHFR every week too!
Glenda Childers says
Wow . . . simply . . . wow.
Fondly,
Glenda
Barbara says
Probably an incredibly dumb question, but…if he captures a swarm how do they know this is their home? Do they always come back to it, never anywhere else? You'll have to let us know when he fills the hive — I'd love to see how he does it. Great hobby!
Haus Frau says
I am almost afraid to show my husband this post, just in case he decides to build an observation hive himself! 😉 There is an observation hive at our local Whole Foods store. I do find it fascinating.
Breanna says
Honeybees are surprisingly kind, as long as you don't step on them. They might be a bit loud, though. I think the stand-up desk is gorgeous. Reminds me of a pulpit, actually! Which makes all kinds of sense, because what IS a pulpit except a standing-up desk.
MamaHen says
I have never even heard of this! Now, I would love to have bees and honey, but not so sure I want them in the house. With my bunch I'm not so sure how long they would stay in the observation window. That is amazing though!
EML says
Wow, that is awesome! It is even more impressive that he made it himself. EML
Lisa G. says
That's very exciting – I've never heard of such a thing! And didn't all this start with you getting some bee keeping equipment at a tage sale or something? There's a lot going on at your house.
_Leila says
Lisa, I did find some supplies at a yard sale — actually, the lady let me just have them. It turns out that you actually shouldn't use old equipment! It's a way of spreading diseases that bees can be prone to. However, all's well that ends well, and we escaped anything like that!
justamouse says
Is he thinking of selling kits like that? Because my Dh would go gaagaa over that.
Deirdre says
That's awesome. I think this post in general captures some of the great combination of brilliance and craziness that exists in Pop…
Flying Squirrel says
Oh wow, HOMESCHOOLING HEAVEN! And what an interesting man you live with! We're putting top-bar hives on our garage roof next spring, and getting really jived about the environmental impact….and free honey. I'll show this observation hive to my husband, he'll love it. Thanks for sharing, Leila!
Betsy M says
Funny, I was thinking the same thing as Haus Frau but about my father not husband. Even with his health problems, if my Dad was not currently in a hospital bed I would not dare show him this, nor mention it, for fear that he would find a way to duplicate it (he kept hives on our farm growing up and will find this idea fascinating). Bee keeping is definitely part of that hunting/gathering mentality that God gave man. (I also believe that not wanting bee's swarming in the house is the healthy fear that God gave women.) Thanks for sharing this Leila (and Phil!). In all honesty, this will be a great topic to get my Dad's mind off medicine for a bit. Phil did a wonderful job on the workmanship. Wow, just think of when the grandkids come to visit! Speaking of which, is it two year old boy proof?? 🙂
Beth says
I really like the idea, I'd probably do something like that!
Oh, and I knew the picture and I am impressed…well mostly. If it were a Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman picture, I would be completely 😉
Sarah says
He wants to capture a swarm, huh? Must be the hunter-gatherer instincts coming out. Hopefully one will swarm nearby for him!
Once he gets the window up and running, be sure and take pics for us!
_Leila says
Sarah (and Betsy M) — the swarm-lust is part hunter-gatherer instinct, part frugality. Swarms are FREE! (Actually, sometimes you get PAID to capture them!). Bees are expensive to buy!
Anna Maria says
Oh my gosh, Leila! I can't wait to show this to my husband! Kudos to your dh (and you) for this amazing and cool project!
ginger says
W had bees growing up…..I remember fondly my father getting all dressed in white with his big bee keepers hat and net. He would walk to the far property to gather the honey. Of course we could not accompany him. It's one of my favorite memories, watching his body dressed in white walking up the dirt road, getting smaller and smaller against the land.
Kathy says
That may be the coolest thing I've ever seen! And the workmanship is gorgeous.
Little Dorrit says
Wow, that is impressive! Observation hives are fascinating!
On the topic of swarms, there was one here (in VA) just the other day. I suppose it'd be a bit far from MA though! 😉
Pippajo says
This is very impressive! If you're going to make an indoor bee lair, do it with style and class! I had better not let The Viking see this…
I'm not sure I could live with this, but you, clearly, are a much more courageous and selfless wife! I would be lying awake at night thinking, “There are BEES in the HOUSE!”
Also, people BUY bees???
BLD_in_MT says
Seriously, seriously awesome. I have seen one indoor hive, much like this, and was thoroughly impressed. That he built it himself only makes yours all the more incredible. I hope you find a swarm soon so the place can start buzzing with life and activity!
Lindsey says
Wow, I've never even heard of such a thing! It does have a certain beauty to it. The online worlds of my husband and I rarely overlap, but I'm definitely going to show him this post!
Phil says
Thanks for all the kind comments. I’m delighted that other people like the O-hive.
Beekeeping is fascinating; you’re constantly learning from the bees. Then there’s another payoff: honey! As with any other form of agriculture, you’re dependent on the weather. But it’s different in this respect: the bees do nearly all the work.
If you’re interested in doing it yourself, I’d encourage you to start reading up now, with an eye to having your own hives set up next spring. Better yet, find a beekeeper in your area who will answer your questions and let you look over his shoulder. Most experienced “beeks” are happy to serve as mentors.
And if you really are interested in making your own O-hive, here’s an excellent step-by-step guide that I used as a model, making modifications as I went along. But do start outside first. (We have 3 colonies in our bee yard right now.) If you’re going to make beginner’s mistakes—and you will—better to make them outdoors.
To answer a coulpe of questions:
_Leila says
Here's that link: http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,30161….
Charlotte says
I love learning about beekeeping through your eyes… and I'm very glad to do so at this very comfortable distance!
Allison says
The air gun was my favorite part. I HATE squirrels and wish I could use your husband's method to deal with the ones that plague us.
Lela says
This is my first time linking, I hope I did it right!
Mrs. Pickles says
That is SO COOL! I once saw an observation hive at a nature center. It gave me the willies. But it was still cool. Your husband is such a gifted carpenter — so much thought went into this!
Heidi says
Re: the industrial wool felt, if you can't find what you're looking for, I stumbled across this resource for wool blankets a couple of weeks ago – and they could be felted just by washing them in hot water & drying them in the dryer. http://go-armynavy.com/index.php/vmchk/wool-blank…
Christine Guest says
1 the bee hive is totally cool. I hope he finds a swarm.
2 My husband was mentioning how Philippians 4:8 this series is, and it's true.
Hollace says
How funny, to love bees and hate squirrels. We like to watch the squirrels and don't much care for bees (but they are interesting to observe, admittedly.) Your husband should patent this, seriously. I'm sure there are other bee-aficionados around. Quite an invention–and you are a good sport.
_Leila says
Well, Hollace, you would understand if you were here at night when you can hear the squirrels rummaging around at 2 am, organizing their stores in the attic! It's a constant battle! If they get in and tuck their food away somewhere, no matter what you do, they will gnaw their way back in! Just get a big house in the country and see how YOU feel about squirrels!! 🙂
Pippajo says
I have to comment again because I couldn't help but tell The Viking about this and he had to see all the photos! In addition to being very impressed with the O-hive, he was delighted with the air gun set-up! He laughed and said, “That's awesome. I like that guy even better now.” He recently got an air gun to help deal with our squirrel and starling problems and, believe me, there were many weeks during which the gun was propped in a corner near a window! So, he wants to know how many has The Chief gotten?
_Leila says
Yes, you see, that's another thing that makes him hate them so….
Margo says
wow – so cool! never heard of this before. Very impressive.
does your husband work from home? I recall that he's a writer or a journalist.
_Leila says
Yes, you can read him here: http://www.catholicculture.org/index.cfm
nt12many says
Well, Leila, I have suspected it all along but now I know. You are a better wife than I.
Years ago my husband wanted to build an indoor bee hive (although his would have cut a chunk out of the wall and had a huge clear hose attached so the wall would become a big hive and we could watch the bees go to and fro in the clear hose) and my reply was NOT “Merry Christmas darling”. No. It was, “Are you INSANE??” Sigh. I bow to you oh proverbs 31 woman!
And the standing desk idea. My husband as well…although for awhile he rigged a kneeling version that he claimed was better for his back.
Your husband's hive is a work of art. It looks like it was always in that room!
And the folks at the nursing home? They were the generation that actually knew about bees. Our adopted gramma learned that bee venom was good for arthritis so she decided she would get a daily bee sting from her husband's bees. She would wait until a bee landed on her, slap it and it would sting her. She did this every single day and it helped her arthritis!
Her husband? He was just worried that that she would slap a bee that had been out collecting pollen so he told her she could only slap bees that were on their way OUT of the hive!!
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
_Leila says
Jill — there is No. Way. any holes were being cut in the house. Don't think it wasn't thought of.
Provincial Homemaker says
What a brilliant idea. I have never seen anything like it. I imagine it will give you and your husband's hours of enjoyment.
Sarah says
I've finally joined in for the first time to {phfr} after enjoying so many other bloggers posts. Thanks for hosting!
Anne says
Oh my goodness! I did not expect it to be so pretty! What a clever design. I'm totally impressed. I can't wait to see it in action!
Amy Caroline says
That has got to be the coolest thing EVER! Wow, I want one!
womanofthehouse says
Phil did a wonderful job! He must be an accomplished woodworker. I hope you all enjoy watching the bees. 🙂
hope says
Way cool! My kids want one (me too!). Heck, I'd be happy with bees in a hive outside. Someday, maybe. Thanks for sharing!
Mamabear, JD says
I'm like the people at the assisted living center! Wow! I love the bee posts.
Alisa says
That is beautiful! My dad was a beekeeper while us kids were growing up and this takes me back. You know that you can get bees in the mail just like chickens? There was nothing more fun as a kids than seeing our frightened mailman show up at the front door with the bees. The bees come in a little wood box with a mesh screen so they get air and when they arrive we'd immediatly dab a finger in water and apply that to the screen so they could drink.
Katherine Lauer says
I haven't read the comments, so maybe you've already heard this answer . . . my dad is a bee keeper. when you want a hive of bees, you buy them. You can buy them online and they are shipped to you. Seriously.
Only In Louisiana says
That is the most amazing thing I have read about in a very long time! This is why we blog people…