Turbulent

The last time you saw these cells, they contained only eggs. Now the eggs have hatched, the larvae have been fed, the cells have been capped with wax (eight days after laying) and the larvae will pupate in the cell and metamorphose into workers. They are doing everything they should do, quickly and vigorously. We spoke briefly and lightly about the sad, healing funeral

It has been a perfect day: the warmth, the light, the still air, the quiet chat and gentle greetings in the village, bird-song more like relaxed mid-summer than urgent spring, the can't-believe-it contented hum of these bees, daylight-saving late sunset, crescent moon on its back - catching good luck

But we are ill: feverish, sore, exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. I went to bed at 5pm and I have never lain so profoundly still for so long while not asleep. Simply experiencing the universe flowing by was balm and comfort. Nominate your preferred virus

America's death-spiral into crass tyranny truly frightens me, like nothing else before in my life. Fight or flight. I hope it's the illness talking. Summer 1914 was famously the perfect summer - would it be better if I did not know that? I'll be fine, so will the bees, and the universe