And, it's not just them. All pollinators are in trouble. The European Honey Bee is simply the first casualty. For several years now, we've known honey bees were on a steep and seemingly unwavering decline, but I don't think I realized until recently how bad things are. I have a friend through the construction industry (Hey Pat!) who is also a beekeeper, and I've been thinking about getting bees myself so I called him the other night. He was very enthusiastic about a visit (which I've yet to do), and the art of beekeeping. When we discussed Colony Collapse Disorder, his mood became somber. He has three hives, and lost two of them within a week this spring. The bees were there one day and gone the next. He ordered two more packages of replacement bees, but he is worried. We all should be. According to the 2010 Preliminary Report...

If you get a chance, please stop by my post on the Lowe's Garden Grow Along blog and leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

Dear Carol, Mary Ann, and all of our other friends, Hi everyone! Sorry I was gone so long. I couldn't tell you where I was because I left the older kids at home alone. I know, can you believe it? Diva is almost eighteen and ASW is fifteen and a half. My mother, sister and NGBF (non-gardening best friend), Aimee, kept watch over them, so they were a-okay. However, it didn't seem like a good idea to shout out into cyberspace "Hey, I'm gone!" As you can see from the lighthouse above, we were in the Outer Banks at Kill Devil Hills. It was one of the best vacations I've ever had. We also visited Dollywood on the way, and I found it charming and not as hokey as I expected. So, Diva was in charge of the garden, and she complained about it a lot, but who could blame...

The winner of the book, The Nonstop Garden, by Stephanie Cohen and Jennifer Benner, who guest posted recently, is Pat. I've contacted her by email. Thanks to everyone who entered. Also, if you'd like to drop by, I have a post about planting the seeds of friendship over on the Lowe's blog. I'd love for you come visit and even leave a comment. See you soon.