His generosity with his story and his life, with his bee suits and veils and jokes and insights and star thistle honey and sweet mandarins and baggies of almonds and Honey Stinger chews—it has all been astonishing and humbling. Thanks also to Pat Heitkam for sharing his queen secrets, for his edits and wise words, and for hooking me up with that Benadryl; and to Marla Spivak for the patient explanation and the liquid-nitrogen ice cream. Larry Krause is every bit as nice as John Miller says he is. Linda Stander was a fun and informative road trip companion and an excellent photographer, and is really good at pulling out stingers. Jan Miller has shared her home with the legions of bee tourists who pass through and has put up with us with grace and good humor. Harry and Brenda Krause took such good care of me in North Dakota that I didn’t want to leave; my daughter naps daily under the flannel frog blanket Brenda sewed for her. Thanks also to Denis Anderson, Dennis vanEngelsdorp, Justin Schmidt, Jeff Pettis, Jay Evans, David Miksa, Dave Hackenberg, Joe Traynor, Neil Miller, Richard Adee, Frank Swiggart, Roy Tighe, and John Thoming for sharing their stories, work, and time with me.
