Welcome to the forums, Gypsy!
As said earlier, this forum site IS the best around!
I started my bees last spring and I'm an expert now! All because I get my information from here :-D
Just kiddin' ya!..I mean, as far as being an expert, that is! I hardly know anything about bees like other people who come to this site, but theres an answer for just about everything about bees here! You're going to see Micheal Bush mentioned alot of times. Also, Michael will post links for questions you have about what you've gotten yourself into ;)(Beekeeping I'm talking about)...Dont overlook these links Micheal provides as they are truly full of great stuff and also easy to read and understand!
And another thing :)....You're entering a world of mystery and wonder!! You'll find yourself thinking, eating, and sleeping bees!!!..You'll be seeing all kinds of living things, plants and animals in a different light!....You're going to be a "BEE JUNKIE"!...You'll be talking to everybody you know about what you've learned about honeybees! Before you know it, the only ones who will hear you will be the bees themselves as all your friends will run away from you because they wont be able to hear another word from you about bees! You'll also go to the library for bee books! Then you'll open the books to certain pages and find a copier to copy them!....Lets not forget how you're gonna be searching the tv programs for bee reports and bee documentaries!
heres something.....If you havent seen the movie "Ulees Gold" go ahead and buy it.....Ive done this and have watched it several times just to see the bee parts!(The story is good too).
Dont be afraid to post anything here as theres always an answer for your questions(Maybe several answers for that matter!)
Well, anyways, welcome to your new circle of friends! I believe you really will know what I'm talking about in a matter of weeks if not days. I really think that beekeepers are not just the peculiar people most non-beekeepers think of us as...I think beekeeping is sort of a "Calling". As for me, theres isnt anything that has gotten hold of me like the bees have!...I fish alot and do good at it. Beekeeping, on the other hand, is different.....I dont think I'll ever be "GOOD" at it.......I'll just be able to do it better after years go by!
well, good luck with your start!..The world really does depend on you and your bees!! (No pressure there, eh?) heh heh heh.... :)
your friend,
john