New Beekeepers. I have been reading posts from people that are in beekeeping for there first couple of years. I asked myself , how did I get help with understanding what my bees were doing. I read books. Books are ok to a point. The first book that started my interset in bees was a National Geographic , 1945-45. I didn't do the reading, my Grandfather.I knew then that I wanted bees some day. When I was married and had my own place, it was time for the bees. I did the thing with Sears, you by there kit of boxs and every thing but the bees.The bees would be sent to you in april. They send a first lessons of beekeeping book with the kit. You know the male ego, we read instructions After we are in trouble. I did read the first 35 pages. The bees came in the mail and I was on cloud 9. I put the bees in there new box in a sunny location about 8a;00 AM. I watched them for a little while then went into th house. At 10:00 AM the bees were on page 50 of the book.( swarming) They went way up in a fir tree. I did not have anyone around to talk to , but I did find out that I should have read the whole book. I even took my 30-06 out and blew the top of the tree off. I wanted my bees. I did call down south and asked for another swarm. I found myself reading more and more about Honeybees.Beware, not all books have the same opinion on what to do with your bees.As you can see on this list ,we don't all agree on almost anything.But thats ok. We make progress because we have different views.You as a beekeeper will see all different types of behavior with your bees. You can ask questions and read it out of a book.This list has more than any books. The important part is you learning about your bees. Then sone one new will be asking you questions about honey bees. There are many more questions than answers. Don't ever foreget that we all start at the begining. All of us have made mistakes and we learn by our mistakes. When you can ,get with other beekeepers. My 3rd year of beekeeping we had a state meeting in Bellingham Wash. I would stand around and listen to the old timers talking about bees. You don't learn with your mouth , its your ears and eyes. I felt that I could not add anything to this group of old timers.We had a few state apiariy inspecters. Old Charlie was the inspecter for the Olympic peninsula which is the land to the west of Seattle.Charlie was in his 80's and very much respected as a beekeeper.He blew my world in ten seconds. He walked right up to me and shook my hand and said,hi son you have more honey on your hives than anyone else on the peninsula. I had ten hives then and put them in the best location I could find in the area. You can imagine what happened to me ,I must have said I don't know 50 times. That I don't know is still going on for me.New questions come up all the time.This mite problem has run many people out of beekeeping.You have to follow the rules , use apistan strips just the way they recommend using them. The bees will do what they have been programed to do. Bee space is bee space. You give them 1/2 inch they will put wax in it.The more you observe the better you will get. We are natures keeper. Bees are a part of nature.Take good care of your bees and help others. We need to express our concern of spraying insecticides all over the place. Where I live , is out in the country and I gave my neighbors a little talk on my bees and a jar of honey.They don't spray unless thay call me. Plus if they just read the label is a help. I'm very glad my Granfather read the article to me on honey bees.I have enjoyed them for a long time now. I hope to be around a lot longer to learn more about the honeybee. Roy