Early Summer 2025

VIEW FROM THE HEIGHTS

Early Summer 2025

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.”

John14:2 NRSV

Greetings,

And Happy Summer!

I’ve just treated myself to a new summer read: “Dwell”, by Simon Armitage.

This beautifully illustrated book of poems imagines the variety of homes and habitats our animal and insect kin enjoy. It is a call to care for Creation, a reminder that our Heavenly Parent’s “dwelling places” are not just for humans.

God is always prompting us to love more widely and this week she upped her messaging. (1 reminder = a prompt, 2 = a Godincidence!)

A gardening suggestion and a generous cheque inspired a fresh Bee-attitude.

Up on Fulton Heights, “Jim’s Market” is a popular people café. Their top seller is something called a “Bee Boy”. Love the name!

We real bees have our own eatery just behind Jim’s. We share Creatures Always Royally Received (C.A.R.R. for short) with other insects, various rodent species, and every bird you can think of from tiny hummers to huge turkeys. Not all diners are well behaved – some actually eat other guests!

But, in the main, we’re a peaceful, helpful crowd.

Unfortunately, the human Queen Bee decided that Safe Dining for All Species is secondary to Super Fun for a Few Species. (Are dogs a separate species or merely humans with fur? Just asking!)

Anyway, some of our most popular buffet tables have been uprooted or torn down. They have been replaced with loud balls and even louder JCBs!

C.A.R.R. is not a happy place right now.

We pollinators, in particular, have been hard hit. And, as you know, we have been struggling to make ends meet for a while now. Some of us have been lucky enough to pick up treats in the patch of land right opposite Jim’s. There are two scrumptious lavender bushes that my family and I enjoy of a summer evening.

I decided to speak to the land’s owner about more pollinator plantings. It turns out S/he is none other than our own Monarch-of-all-Creation. And their Royalness is on it!

They contacted the local butterfly yoga teacher who immediately sent some money for supplies. A Royal request was also sent to a nearby minister. He mainly works with human students but considers us bees to be smart enough to be included in his remit. He has commenced the fix-up of “our” space and is sharing his dietary know-how. (Food services are already part of his ministry.)

God is wonderful isn’t he?

The Most Marvellous Monarch of all Time!

The Empress of Queen Bees!

Their Royalness is sorting out a new diner for us.

All will be well!

Yours Honeyly,

Bea Apis

Thank you, Bee Warden and Butterfly Whisperer

WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL!

May the summer bring us all sweet blessings,

Brenda