The hive is tucked away in the corner of the yard.

We bought the hive from BackYardHive in Eldorado Springs. That's also where I took a beginner's beekeeping class and was lucky enough to see a swarm installed. I've chosen a Top Bar Hive because, among other more compelling reasons, the neighbors won't recognize it as a bee hive.

The bees will have to start from scratch and build their combs without foundation. The only help we've given them is a strip of beeswax on the top bars suggesting, "This is a good place to start."

It's been a couple of weeks since I saw the swarm by the Barnes & Noble – I was afraid to catch it without protective gear – and we're beginning to worry that the hive will remain empty this year.