Opened the hives to put in the feeders and check to see if they needed more grease patties. It was not one of my finer beekeeping days. I've been out of smoker fuel for awhile and just packing the smoker with straws, sticks, and sage on the top to make it smell a little better. For some reason I couldn't get the smoker going. never had this much trouble before. Plus the lid kept falling off.  The Langstroth looked OK, but they hadn't gone beyond the two deeps, so I took the honey super off the top and put the feeder on along with another grease patty, they'd completely consumed the one I'd put in. I only pulled the frames from the top super and they looked good, the brood was solid and several frames full of honey stores. The top bar on other hand didn't look so great, the first frame which had been solid brood was completely empty with nothing refilled. The rest of the frames were half filled with brood with honey stores above, but it doesn't appear to me that they're going to have enough honey to last all winter. I'd put two grease patties in the top bar, but they hadn't even consumed a whole one. I added another anyway and moved the passage divider to the far end and put the feeder in. I put bags full of crumpled paper in the empty end to insulate, but still can't get the bottom board on. I don't want to brush all those bees off, it damages their feet. As soon as the temp. starts dropping at night, I'm betting they'll scurry inside for warmth. It just bums me out so much, the top bar just is bursting with bees, but that may be even more of a detriment since the honey supply is thin. Well, the best I can do is continue to feed for the next month, but they need at least 2 weeks of warm temps. in order to cure the sugar syrup. My cousin , Jim, who's also a beekeeper and has been for a number of years said his hives didn't do well this year either.

On a happier note, I met some friends at C street for a very nostalgic pool playing session. It was a blast, but the pictures I took were a little on the feeble side. That may have been due to the several butter crowns I enjoyed. Thanks for the fun Jay W and Tommy!