My friend Bob wrote:

>Not keeping control of varroa and not keeping a handle on nosema has killed
>far more hives in the U.S. over the last decade than comb contamination 

Amen. In my opinion, this is the most likely cause of massive colony
collapse. The bee population in US and Europe has been weakened for decades
by these parasites & infections. It is a miracle that bees have survived at
all. The amazing power of nature and its ability to renew itself! 

Regardless of how some people might have taken my input over the last few
weeks, I am not a blind supporter of the current state of modern
agriculture. I think we have to move *forward* to a better system, and in my
view there are many signs that is happening. 

Finally, it is nature that sustains us. We can't do a single thing without
her and the notion that we have conquered her, or even could, is comical.
The blood coursing through my veins reminds me everyday how tenuous our hold
on life is. But the buds on the maple trees hint at another spring. 

My best to you all.

Pete

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