"Don't stand in front of the beehive."

Lots of good advice flew around the room at the second night of the annual beekeepers workshop sponsored by the Blount County Beekeepers Association.

"Get a small hammer." (For putting the frames together.)

"Stock up on sugar." (For feeding the bees, particularly during the winter.)

"Get a Bee Buddy." (Someone who can help you out.)

"Get a marked queen." (So you can tell where she is.)

"Don't use your $50 Case knife to clean the frames. Get a cheap pocket knife." (Or get several cheap pocket knives.)

"Wear a white shirt and light pants -- and a veil." (Bees go after things that are dark.)

"Use a frame grabber." (It saves you from a lot of stings.)

"Don't stand in front of the beehive."

You'll probably get stung. Approach the hive from the side or the back. The bees go in and out the front. Let them have their way.

The association does a great job with this workshop. I'm glad I went. I can't wait to get back to building the hives. That won't be for a few days, however. I'm off to Alabama on Thursday.