Most of the animals on the homestead are mine. Or as much mine as animals can be in a family anyway.

I have ducklings, goslings, tiny chicks, and guinea keets, and scraggly teenage pullets. I have goats, and Luba. Each summer, I have pigs. I’ve picked them all out, raised them up. I feed them and muck them out. Seth builds all their homes, but they’re primarily mine.

I’m looking out for sheep this year as well. Icelandics or Shetlands. Seth will help me build their home and tend to them, but like all our animals, they’ll mainly be mine.

After Easter though, Seth brought home his animals. A buzzing box of bees. He built them a hive and tucked them inside with love and blessings. When he goes to visit them, they hover around him gently and perch on his shoulders.

I love his bees, but they’re definitely his. He’s getting to know them – they’re beautiful little creatures. We’re so happy to have them settled in their little hive beside the tree line. This spring, we’re adding honeyberries and bee balm to the area.

We’re doing so many things this spring, but the bees are a slow, cozy, addition to the homestead. They’re undemanding, unlike my animals. It’s a joy to have them.