I want to take a moment today to talk about meat. Actually–I’m going to stand on my soap-box and rant about meat. Specifically big-box grocery store meat versus the alternative.
Blog
The amazing co-evolution of plants and pollinators
When I took that initial foray into beekeeping, I didn’t realize just how amazing the act of pollination really is. Ten years ago I was bug-phobic like so many others in our modern society, but through my husband’s affinity for insects I began to see them differently. I was not a fan, but I learned…
Bombtastic bumblebees
I am a honeybee beekeeper, but the entire spectrum of pollinators fascinates me (this is the driving force behind Runamuk’s message of pollinator conservation). Bumblebees are particularly interesting. Maine is fortunate to have a large diversity of bumbles, like the Orange-Banded and the Rusty-Patch bumblebee. Several species have gone extinct in states southwards, and while…
A long road
I went out to “Ye Olde Burns Farm” on Sunday to get these photos to share with you. Even after five years in-town, it still feels like going home when I drive out there. The drive up the hillside always fills me with anticipation, all the trees seem to be reaching out their limbs to…
Spot your flower
Runamuk at the Farm Service Agency
Now that we have the agreement of Keith’s parents to have a portion of the family’s acreage signed over to us for Runamuk, I’ve been plowing along trying to finalize the details of the arrangement, while also exploring possible avenues for financing. In order for Runamuk to be a profitable and self-sustaining business we need…
A Home for Runamuk
I am ecstatic–I am ridiculously exuberant and utterly over-joyed. We have a home for Runamuk–a place where we will be able to expand our business and our efforts to lead a more self-sustaining life. A place where we can truly be ourselves. It is the old Burns-family farm-land, just five miles outside of Anson on…
Good news for next years’ honey
This has been an exciting year for the Runamuk apiary, we were able to expand from two to six hives throughout the summer. My new-found partnership with Medicine Hill in Starks gave me the chance to increase the number of colonies, and I seized the opportunity with both hands. And I am pleased to announce…
Women’s Work
I think sometimes we don’t realize that it wasn’t very long ago that women weren’t encouraged to participate in what was considered a man’s world. Up until the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries women–especially upperclass women–were generally constrained to the drawing room, where they were expected to occupy themselves with more “genteel” activities, such…
Fun with beeswax
I’ve spent a lot of time lately playing with beeswax. And I say it that way because it’s just so much fun melting the oils and wax to create salves, and soaps, and all sorts of great stuff. Back in February I participated in a salve-making workshop with a wonderful older woman by the name…