Bee Blogs – November 2017

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A friend sent me a card the other day which read, “Somehow we will squeeze through these dark December days”. It described how I felt. I like Blaise Pascal’s idea that in difficult times, you should always keep something beautiful in your heart or I might add in your pocket. Beauty makes a difference.

The bees adjust their life style to each season of the year, why not us? With our technologically-adapted life style we are cut off from the natural world – and we imagine that the natural world plays no part in our lives. D.H. Lawrence in Lady Chatterley’s Lover describes this disconnection as a catastrophe:

“Oh what a catastrophe for man when he cut himself off

from his union with the sun and the earth.

This is what is the matter with us. We are bleeding at the roots,

because we are cut off from the earth and sun and stars and

love is grinning mockery, because, poor blossom,

we plucked it from its stem on the tree of Life and expected

it to keep on blooming in our civilised vase on the table”

In a book on, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom, the author Acharya Shunya, explains how we are connected to the natural world and still need to adjust our life style to fit the time of the year. A ‘seasonally adjusted life style’ makes sense to me – eating the same foods all year, exercising in the same way throughout the year doesn’t make sense – Ayurveda recommends specific protocols for each season of the year.  Some of these recommendations are in autumn, with darkness closing in and wind and rain increasing- it is easy for our inner world to become a little shaky so Ayurveda advises stabilising ones routine – especially routines of eating and sleeping and also recommends settling in our ideas and convictions. As winter settles in, a change of diet is helpful – eating hot, spiced and warming foods – soups, stews – also getting out into early morning light and engaging in creative activity.  I know I have a lot to learn about this idea of managing myself round each season. Maybe I could learn more from the bees. The church too provides a change especially with the Gregorian chant for Advent and this lifts me over the lintel and into a different mood.

 

A NOTE ON MISTLETOE USE

Mistletoe, the partial parasite of apple, lime, popular, or hawthorn trees is evergreen, and grows into a large spherical mass on the host tree. It produces a root like structure which grows into the tree and sucks its nutrients from the tree. Its seeds, spread by birds, are covered with a sticky, viscous gel that attaches them to the bark of a tree. The Mistle Thrush gets it name because it loves Mistletoe seeds.

It flowers in early spring with male and female flowers on separate trees. Bees, among other insects do the pollinating and provide us with those shiny, waxy white berries at Christmas. After each kiss you remove one of the berries  – once all the berries are gone that’s it – no more kissing!

 

ASTHMA CURE!

According to a new study streets with trees may help against asthma attacks. Researchers from Exeter University studied the impact of urban greenery on asthama. By comparing 26,000 urban neighbourhoods the researchers found a link between areas highly populated by trees and lower rates of emergency visits to hospital for asthma. The association as even stronger in highly polluted areas.

The study showed that an extra three hundred trees per square kilometre was associated with approximately 50 fewer emergency asthma cases per 100,000 residents over a 15 year period.

 

WATCH OUT FOR FUNGICIDES

We know how harmful insecticides are for bees –  fungicides may also be causing harm.   A study at Cornell University in the USA has found signs of a “surprising link” between fungicides and declining bumblebee numbers. This could be important for to us because of our damp climate we use lots of fungicides.  Ireland has ninety eight species of wild bee, twenty one of which are bumblebees. According to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, 30% of Ireland’s bee species are threatened with extinction mainly due to habitat loss. It is suspected that fungicides could change the nectar composition of flowers or harm the micro-organisms that live in bees’ guts. Fungicides have also been found to react with insecticides and make these toxic to bees. More research is clearly required in the Irish setting to see how fungicides impact our native bees.

 

AMERICAN FOUL BROOD (AFB)

There is an interesting treatment for American Foul Brood coming from Australia. They use gamma radiation to sterilise equipment (same thing as used to sterilise medical equipment). It is popular as it does not use chemicals so there is no residue in treated parts and they can be used immediately. This is ideal for bee equipment where it can be difficult to ensure chemicals and other treatments reach every area. Gamma radiation penetrates every part of the equipment which means that any pathogens or insects are eliminated.

 

This eliminates AFB and equipment can be treated over and over again. This would be a welcome new treatment and a more effective control than just burning hives which I had to do many years ago!

 

CONCLUSION

I am not getting great reports on the usefulness of the Bee Meditation. Maybe I need to test it myself. But thank you for the feedback from the brave people who tried it!

 

There is little to be done in the Apiary at this time of year. If we get snow, do check that snow doesn’t block the entrance to the hives. Bees don’t hibernate and if the sun comes out and it warms up, they will be out and about, taking cleansing flights. They are very hygienic and save their waste until they get a chance to get outside their home!

 

Some people give some extra protection to their hives by adding a blanket under the roof. In my experience, good ventilation is more important. A blanket can get damp and ultimately trap cold, damp air in the roof space.

 

The best gift we can give bees at this time of the year is not to disturb them! But do go and ‘tell them, ‘yes it is Christmas – rejoice and be glad’. I hope someone whispers this to you too!

 

Murroe Website EditorBee Blogs – November 2017
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Thought for the week – spirals

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Today there is great interest in spiritual programmes. And there are so many to chose from. They are advertised everywhere.

For many of these programs the spiritual life is seen as a sequence of stages each with its own tasks and methodology. This view of life as linear progression is symptomatic of our culture – you go from one thing to another – you never go backwards, always going forward, making progress – your life working better all the time – it is always meant to be summer and if winter sets in something is wrong with us or the program.

The linear view, besides being inaccurate can be exhausting and depressing. Because life doesn’t work that way – it doesn’t always get better – at times it gets worse – you go backwards or so it seems – you regress and get depressed. This problem is particularly severe as we age – trying to do the things we used to do and we no longer can – falling back along that line of development and it is depressing – for we are told we shouldn’t fall backwards.

Other, more traditional cultures, have a circular view of reality- life is viewed as cyclical – there is a winter for every summer, a fallow period for every harvest. You do go into winter, you will fade and there will be hard times but then “in the midst of winter I finally learned that there is in me an invincible summer.” A. Camus.

I find it helpful to combine the cyclical and the linear to form a spiral – you move forward but each time you do, you pass through the seasons of dying, are reborn and flourish again – that is how life works – you know you will go down into the winter, into the darkness but you know it is just a cycle and spring and summer will return. This is the norm – this is nature and if you accept it you can relax into this pattern of life.

Murroe Website EditorThought for the week – spirals
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Murroe Boher Newsletter 17 Sept 2017

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MURROE  / BOHER NEWSLETTER
17 Sep 2017
Parish Clergy: Fr Loughlin Brennan Fr. Tom Ryan
Tel. 386227 Mobile 087 9814051 Tel. 352223 Mobile 087 6291557
Recent Deaths: Annette Ahern (Née Courtney) The Meadows, Murroe & Mitchelstown.
Anniversaries: Murroe
Pat Gleeson and
Breda O’Brien 7pm this Saturday
Bridie, Joe and Danny Kirby 7pm next Saturday
Bridget Coleman and
Geard Dunne 11.30 next Sunday
Boher
Bartholomew and Eileen Hanley 10am this Sunday
Dan Foley 10am next Sunday
May They Rest in Peace
Eucharistic Ministers Next Weekend: Boher: Eamon Tuohey 10am.
Murroe: Breda Fizpatrick 7pm. Josie Meade 9am. Kathryn Buckley 11.30am

Community Houses for the elderly in Gilmartin Park: A house is now vacant. Applications in writing please to – Community Housing, C/O Kathleen Cummins, Gilmartin Park, Murroe, Co Limerick. Note: you must be over 60 to apply. Closing date 30th September.
New members welcome to the Junior and Senior Choirs. Junior practice -Thursdays 5.00pm- 6.00pm. Senior practice – 8.00pm – 9.30pm.

Leaving and Junior Certificate Small Group Maths Grinds Kilmurry Arts and Heritage Centre, Castletroy – Commencing Saturday 30th September 2017 – May 26th 2018 (30 weeks) Places limited to cater for individual needs and to build confidence. For further information please contact Orla Fahy at: Orla.Fahy@ul.ie or 085-1726117

Coffee Morning to raise funds and awareness for the new Autism Spectrum Disorder Unit in Killinure N.S. Will be held by Boher Community Development Association, on Sunday 24th September in Boher Community Centre from 10.30a.m – 12.30p.m. All support greatly appreciated. There will be Special Guest for all the children to meet on the day!

Coffee Morning in Aid of Fr Tommy Laffan Missions in Kenya will take place after 11.30am mass in Murroe on Sunday 01st October.
Darkness into Light in aid of Pieta House: As we prepare for next year’s DiL in Murroe next May, we are delighted to report that the 2017 walk in Murroe raised over €23,500. Thanks to everyone in the community and neighbouring parishes for your support for this worthy cause.

Lotto Results 10/9/17-8,11,22,25-No Jackpot Winner. €20 Lucky dips Dan O’Brien, Lena Conroy, Pat Ryan(s) and Pat Kett (Jnr). Next Week’s Jackpot €3,000 in O’Neill’s

Painting Art Classes resuming in Murroe hall on Thursday the 21st of Sept from 7-9pm. No experience is needed. Absolute beginners are very welcome. 4 weeks of still-life painting, 4 weeks of landscapes and 4 weeks of portraiture. €15 Euro pay as you go weekly or €50 for 4 classes. Some materials and refreshments supplied, just please bring your own acrylic paints and brushes. Please text Jenny on 085-7237256 or email jenny28111987@gmail.com to book a place.

A Coffee Morning will be held in the Community Hall Murroe on Sunday 8th October from 9.30am to 1pm. The purpose is to raise funds for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children.

BALLYHOURA DEVELOPMENT: The Ballyhoura North East District Forum will take place on Tuesday September 26th at 7.30pm at the Millennium Centre Caherconlish.

Junior Set Dancing Classes, Ceili, Line Dancing, Waltz, etc. will resume in the Community Centre, Cappamore on Wednesday 20th September at 4.15pm. Senior Set Dancing and Ceili classes for fitness and fun will resume in the Muintir na Tíre Hall, Murroe on Wednesday 27th September at 8.15pm. Beginners welcome at all classes.

Boher Parish Calendar 2018: Boher Parish Calendar project team will be producing a parish calendar again for 2018. All members of the community are invited to submit photos for consideration. Old or modern photos will be accepted and can be related to a number of topics: historical interest, landscape, parish events, etc. Photos can be given to any of the Community Development Association members . Photos will be scanned/copied and originals will be returned within 5 days.

TABLE QUIZ Boher Community Development Association will hold a Table Quiz next Friday, 22 September at 8.30 pm in Pa McGrath’s, Boher, to raise funds for the maintenance and up-keep of Boher Community Centre. Great night promised, lots of spot prizes.

Murroe Boher Camogie Club: Well done to our U8 girls who finished their season on a high with the county blitz which was brilliantly run in Abbeyfeale last weekend. Well done to all our girls and thanks to management and parents for organising the girls all year. Hard luck to our U14 team who lost out in the B plate semi-final to a strong Ballybrown team. This marks the end of a great year where we teamed up with Treaty Gaels to ensure our girls got game time. Thanks to management and players from both clubs for the great effort and comradery shown all year. Hard luck also to our U16 team who narrowly lost out to Newcastle West on Thursday in their last group game. Our girls will play the plate semi-final next Friday (22nd Sept) with fixture TBC. Best of luck to our intermediate team who play Croagh/Kilfinny on Sunday at 12 noon in Croagh, the winner of which will qualify for a semi-final, which is scheduled for next weekend – be sure to get out and support our girls. Next Saturday (23rd) our U10s will host a blitz at 11am in Murroe, please show your support for our girls.

Murroe Boher Bord na nÓg: Murroe Boher Bord na nOg are delighted to announce two upcoming tournaments. The first will be played on Saturday 23rd September at 17.00 in Harty Park. This will be played by all boys U8 mixed with our U8&9 girls. This will be played in a Munster championship format, and will be followed by a presentation of medals and a BBQ for all to enjoy. This is will be a family occasion, so please try to come out and support our young players. On Sunday , morning September 24th, we are hosting our Annual Jim Commons U10 Hurling tournament. We have teams from Limerick & Tipperary involved. This will commence at 11.00am, and again will be followed by a medal presentation, and a BBQ for all to enjoy, please try and support this great tournament, if you can.

Murroe Website EditorMurroe Boher Newsletter 17 Sept 2017
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Communities Facilities Grant Award

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We are delighted to announce that Murroe Wood Park CLG, the body established to oversee the development of the Murroe Field Project, has been awarded €1000 from the Communities Facilities Scheme by the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government. This funding will help provide seating along the community walkway.

Murroe Wood Park is also awaiting the outcome of three other very substantial grant applications which would provide the remaining funds required to complete Phases 1 and 2 of the Field Project. Please keep your fingers crossed for a positive result!

E HCommunities Facilities Grant Award
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Thought for the week – Real Economy of our Planet and the Energies

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The word economy is made up of two Greek words – oikos meaning ‘house’ and nomos, meaning ‘law and order’.  Economics is intended to be about ‘ordering of the household’. (‘Ecology’ is derived from the same root – the science that provides the logos or wisdom that governs the running of the household.)
Today economics is more about finance and ‘growth mania’ than ‘ordering the household’ in which we live.
And we are blissfully unaware of the real economy of our planet and the energies that drive it….. “the daily solar flux, which in turn drives our planetary weather system; the  cycles of oxygen, of nitrogen and of hydrogen and plant photosynthesis that is our primary economic system.”
Murroe Website EditorThought for the week – Real Economy of our Planet and the Energies
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Strictly Come Dancing Winners 2017

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What a Night it was and for those not fortunate to get a ticket there was a live feed on the website to see all the dancing on the night.

Everyone participating was a winner , and each of the contestants gave their best performance on the night.

The judges had the hardest decision on picking a winner,but eventually after great anticipation

The winners Of Strictly Come Dancing Murroe 2017 were  Anthony Reddan and Sharon Coughlan

For more Photos of the night go to  Murroe Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/pg/murroe/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154758254844086

Congratulations to all involved in making this a wonderful community event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murroe Website EditorStrictly Come Dancing Winners 2017
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