2Sox,
However you choose to keep bees is fine, you do what is right for you and your area.
I certainly have a lot to learn, but the one great truths of beekeeping I agree with is that all beekeeping is truly local and small changes to location or management style can make all the difference in the world.
I have 4 bee yards, this last winter I had 10% losses in 3 yards, but in one yard I lost 14 out of 17 hives. The area surrounding the one bad yard suffered worse from our drought and had poor fall forage compared to my other yards.
Had I the only one bad yard, I would have assumed everything I was doing wasn't working and would be changing everything.
Good luck with your beekeeping. Don