As I write this, Bayer is holding its annual shareholder meeting in Cologne. I'm quite sure that the neonicotinoid pesticides produced by Bayer and their contribution to killing bees is not on the agenda. Quite the opposite, Bayer has started a full-blown PR campaign to convince the public of its supposed concern for the health of bees. Michele Simon and the environmental group Friends of the Earth just released a report entitled "Follow the Honey: 7 ways pesticide companies are spinning the bee crisis to protect profits”, detailing the tactics used by Bayer and other pesticide producers to mislead the public. Following are just...

Michael Smith had an idea, a very brave (or crazy) idea. A graduate student at Cornell University, Smith studies the behavior and evolution of honey bees. Interesting, for sure. But in all of his research, he couldn't find any data showing the worst place on a human body to get stung by a bee. In 1984, Justin Schmidt developed the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, a scale that rates the pain of insect stings from 1 to 4. Schmidt's descriptions are wonderful to read. Steer clear of bullet ants after reading this: Animal: Bullet antSchmidt Index: 4.0+Description: Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like fire-walking over flaming charcoal...

It's pretty. It makes you even prettier. And it helps save the bees. What's not to like? I must admit that I'd never heard of the make-up company Chantecaille. But what a fun discovery! First the important stuff taken from their website: "All CHANTECAILLE products are not tested on animals. There are no animal derivatives, lanolin or mineral derivatives in the products. All skincare products are free of synthetic colors and fragrances, and do not contain any sulfate detergents, phthalates, nor petrochemicals." And since the company focuses on using natural botanicals, it's philosophy is to give back to nature. The...

I just couldn't resist the combination of these orange ranunculus flowers in a recycled apidae Moroccan tea glass.        Doesn't this glass make the perfect vase?

Happy first day of Spring everyone! And here in Germany, Spring really has sprung. I'm so excited to get back into my garden. This year I'm going to add even more space for vegetables. But as you know to get those vegetables growing, I need some bees. So in honor of the first day of Spring, I have gathered some favorite plants that the bees absolutely love.           1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  8.                                              ...