Review: Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis

Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had heard about colony collapse disorder before reading this book. I knew that the bees would disappear from the hive with no trace. That is about all I knew. Its was so interesting to read about the investigation into colony collapse disorder. I thought that there would be an identified cause. Maybe there is now but, not when this book was written. If I were a beekeeper and my bees disappeared without a trace that would scare me.
For me this book was a page turner. I liked reading about Kirk Webster and how he went from using chemicals to breeding Russian honey bees. I also enjoyed the appendix about some beekeepers using 4.9 millimeter cells instead of 5.4 millimeter cells. In that same appendix the author wrote about Dennis Murrell and how he used top bar hives and had less Verroa mites and diseases such as chalkbrood or was it Nosema or was it diseases. The discussion about California almond orchards was also interesting.
I was not sure that this book would be that interesting to read when I got it to read. After reading Fruitless fall I can say for certain that I am glad I read it. Bees are amazing.

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Review: JavaScript Absolute Beginner's Guide

JavaScript Absolute Beginner's Guide by Kirupa Chinnathambi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had seen the word closures but, had no idea what it meant. After reading the closures chapter I think I understand the concept. I also liked the chapter that described the browser tools. What can I say about the book? It was a quick read. I liked that. And after reading the book I think I will actually start writing javascipt code instead of thinking about writing javascipt code. I have thought about writing javscript code for years by the way.

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sugarCookies OatmealBreakfasts tasty new song

Who doesn't enjoy eating sugar cookies. I know I like sugar cookies. All that frosting on top. Tasty. I hope that anyone who listens to this song finds it as good as the best tasting sugar cookies you can buy. I hope the songs makes you want to go out and eat sugar cookies. I hope the song makes you want to listen to the song over and over. Goodnight from OatmealBreakfasts until next time.

Review: The Beekeeper's Problem Solver: 100 Common Problems Explored and Explained

The Beekeeper's Problem Solver: 100 Common Problems Explored and Explained by James E. Tew
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always enjoy reading about honey bees. I liked that this book was a fast read. For most of the book there is a question and then the answer. And on the page opposite it there is a picture with a small amount of text.
I hope I know more about answers to honey bee problems after reading this book. I wish my brain were like a photocopier and could remember everything I read. Its not. I wish books could be downloaded to my brain like software for a computer. It can't. Maybe in the future.
Two answers stood out to me. One was about problems with aunts. In another book I read about putting the legs of the hive stand in cans and filling those cans with motor oil. This book says that the aunts can get past that so that solution does not work all the time. And the other answer was about laying workers. Another book I read said to shake the the workers off the frames away from the hive and the laying workers will not be able to make it back to the hive. This book says that the laying workers will be able to make it to the hive. So shaking the workers off the frames away from the hive does not work. At least I have remembered some of what I have read in other bee keeping books.
I enjoy reading about bees so I enjoyed reading this book. Now all I need to do is remember what I read so that I will have the information when I need it.

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Review: The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster

The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster by Sarah Krasnostein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had read an article about Trauma cleaning in a magazine years ago. That is why I wanted to read this book. Reading about all the challenges that Sandra Pankhurst has had lot happen in her life and that she has made it through those challenges is inspiring to me. Its amazing that with all her heath problems she is able to work.
When faced with a problem I want to give up. I tell myself that I will never get through any problem I face because I don't have an education, Or I tell myself I am not a hard working, Or I tell myself I never finish anything I start. But, when faced with a problem Sandra keeps on going.
I was surprised to learn that the hormones that Sandra takes will shorten her life. If I read the part of the book right. I am sure I did.
It was also interesting to read about Sandra's clients. I don't know how anyone can live in that type of filth. I know I think that I need to keep things because one day I might sell them for a lot of money. But, I could not stand to live in a big mess. At least I hope I never would be able to. But, if there was some bad event in my life who knows I might become a hoarder too.
I think Sandra has lived an amazing life. I have often wondered if I could work as a Trauma cleaner. I am not sure. I might not be able to take the bad smells or see blood. or cleaning up the scene of a murder. But, I would like helping people in their hour of need. Making their lives a little cleaner.

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vacuuming is OatmealBreakfasts new song

I thought writing a song about vacuuming was something I wanted. So I wrote a song about vacuuming. To many of you out there vacuuming may not be a chore you want to do. I on the other hand enjoy vacuuming. Its relaxing, calming, puts me in a better mood. And I am cleaning a rug. What is better than that. I wanted vacuuming to not only be about vacuuming I wanted it to sound as if I were vacuuming. I hope its sounds a little like vacuuming. I tried. If anyone listens to the song I hope you enjoy it. Right now my music has only static pictures. I hope to one day make music videos to go along with the song. It may never happen but, one day I will try to make a music video. Good night from OatmealBreakfast.

Review: Beekeeping for Dummies

Beekeeping for Dummies by Howland Blackiston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading every chapter of the book. It was a fun read. I never know what to write in a review. What did I think about the book? I liked the glossary at the end of the book. I also liked the resources section at the back of the book. I also liked the recipes for things to make with wax, and honey and propolis. I really liked the queen rearing chapter.
I try to read all the books about bee keeping I can so that the information will slowly make its way into my brain.
After reading this book I though I could start bee keeping today and do OK at it. While reading the book I though wait a minute the book did not talk about keeping records of your hive inspections. Then at the end of the book there was a list of things to check during hive inspections.
Beekeeping for dummies makes me want to start beekeeping now. To bad its august and to late to start. I will have a goal to start bee keeping next year. Its my new years resolution in august.
I think this book has the information you need to start as a bee keeper. Its a quick read. Its fun to read.
I think it would be fun to have a Langstroth hive and a top bar hive. There is so much to learn about bee keeping and so many things I can do. I can raise queens. I can harvest pollen, propolis, honey. I want to try everything.
What else can I say except that this book was not a waste of my time to read. It was worth the read.


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lemonadeStandVideo is Oatmealbreakfasts latest song

During one warm day I thought about a lemonade stand. So I wrote a song about a lemonade stand. I hope the song makes lemonade stands look good. I know a tall glass of ice cold lemonade looks good to me on a hat day. I hope that if you listen to the song that you like it. And if you like the song i hope you tell your friends all about it. Even if its to say that hey that song is that great. Or I hope the song makes you think You know what I can do better at making songs than Oatmealbreakfast and start making your own songs. I hope the song makes you feel better. Until next song. This is OatmealBreakfast saying that ice cold lemonade is always great on a sunny day. Or maybe not. I don't really know.

illogical The newest song from OatmealBreakfast

One day I am going to have a whole town that enjoy my songs. Sure the town will be a ghost town and I will be the only person living it it. But, it will still be a whole town who likes my music. Maybe not. If you read this post and listen to illogical you will be able to say years down the line that you were one of the only people to listen to one of the worst composers ever. Or you will be able to say that you knew OatmealBreakfast was going to be great. You knew it all along. I hope the song illogical makes not sense to anyone who listens to it. Maybe all my songs don't make sense to the people who listen to them. I mean the 9 or ten people who have listened to them. I have been making songs for 3 years. Sure no one listens to my songs. I don't blame them. Anyway I am enjoying composing songs. I have a long way to go to get good. Wish me luck. Goodnight from OatmealBreakfast until next time. Thank you for reading.

Review: Picking Up: On the Streets and Behind the Trucks with the Sanitation Workers of New York City

Picking Up: On the Streets and Behind the Trucks with the Sanitation Workers of New York City by Robin Nagle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was excited to read this book. And it did not disappoint. My favorite chapters were the ones that talked about the history of NYC garbage collection. I was surprised to learn that NYC used to throw its garbage in the ocean. And empty its chamber pots in rivers. I makes me glad to live at this time.
I was also surprised to learn that some NYC garbage were ashamed to be garbage men. One man has not told his neighbors what he does for a living. Me personally I think being a garbage man is a honorable profession. It keeps the streets free of garbage.
This book was a page turner. I wish I could read faster. It was so good. I thought reading this book was worth my time spent reading it. There were so many great stories.
I also learn that street sweepers are also called mechanical brooms. It was fun to read about mechanical brooms also. I enjoyed it.

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OatmealBreakfasts latest song is called bored

Review: The Everything Guide to Investing in Cryptocurrency: From Bitcoin to Ripple, the Safe and Secure Way to Buy, Trade, and Mine Digital Currencies

The Everything Guide to Investing in Cryptocurrency: From Bitcoin to Ripple, the Safe and Secure Way to Buy, Trade, and Mine Digital Currencies by Ryan Derousseau
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In my reviews I am always worried that people will read my review and think did he read the same book as I did. I am worried that I will not remember the book correctly.
I thought this book was Ok. I liked the glossary and resources sections at the end of the book. By reading this book I learned a lot more about cyptocurrency than I knew before I read this book. I thought cryptocurrency began and ended with bitcoin. That is sure not true. The reason I got the book to read was because I read a headline from a news article that said something like Bitcoin takes a lot of energy to mine. I don't think I will be mining bitcoin anytime soon or ever.
It thought this book was worth the read. What else do I want to say about the book? Nothing.

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Why the NEW Blender 2.8 is a BIG DEAL

beesVideo OatmealBreakfasts latest song

Its no secret to anyone who knows me that I like bees. Though not many people know me. Because I like bees I decided to write a little song about bees. And this is the result. I hope that someone anyone finds this song enjoyable to listen to. Good night from OatmealBreakfast.