Keep calm and carry on

Two and a half million motivational posters bearing the words Keep Calm and Carry On were printed for distribution in mid-1939. In the end, few were ever displayed, and they were forgotten until being rediscovered in a bookshop in Northumberland, in 2000 {{1}}.

The rest, as they say, is history. The wording has become internationally recognised. It is used as a decorative motto on a range of products … and an almost limitless number of internet memes.

Despite this overexposure, the wording — emphasising stoicism, self-discipline, fortitude, and calmness in adversity — seemed appropriate for today's post.

Keep Calm and Keep Bees

'Adversity' and 'beekeeping' aren't words I expect to find in the same sentence.

It may not always be a scene of peace and serenity, but there should be few things more calming than spending some time on a warm afternoon watching the bees quietly going about their business.

The opening paragraph of Underland by Robert Macfarlane captures the feeling perfectly:

Late summer heatwave, heavy air. Bees browsing drowsy over meadow grass.

At least, that's what it should be like.

If, when you arrive at the apiary, things are like this, and when you leave — having completed your inspections — they're much the same, then you should be pleased with yourself, and with your bees.

Your intrusion, whilst undoubtedly noticed, was soon forgotten. Your inspection technique — the smoking, frame handling, and general absence of fuss — didn't overly disturb the bees. You were tolerated, if not actively welcomed.

But it's not always like that.

Sometimes events get a little out of control, or it appears as though things are conspiring against you.

Or both.

You, or the bees, get flustered.

Or both.

And then things can rapidly get messy.

You don't feel in control, or you do things in a rush.

To avoid this, you need to “keep calm and carry on”.