Take It Off.

Beeman does it too.

There are two irresistible things about this photograph.  Allow me to plead my case.

Exhibit A:

Let’s get this out of the way first.  I am like a vampire when it comes to honey.  Beeman scraped open a gash of honey when cleaning off a frame and instantly my imagination was on.  Because I know what that honey tastes like.  And licking it straight off the frame is one of the many beekeeping fantasies I keep on file in my mind.  This is the exquisite torture a vampire must feel when tempted by a slow trickle of blood down a warm neck. 

Exhibit B:

Every chapter on beginning beekeeping tells the novice to absolutely wear gloves when working a hive.  Rip out those pages.  Yes, it hurts to get stung on your hands.  But I like it.  And I like the way my heart races when bees crawl over my bare skin.  And I like the way beeswax gets under my nails and nectar makes my fingers sticky.  And you know what?  Yes, it’s a little bit risky.  But it’s a lot sexy.  And my gloves are going to be gathering dust for a while.