working at the San Francisco Chronicle as a fea-
tures writer for 16 years.
"Some Chronicle food writers maintained a
rooftop garden on the building at 5th and
Mission," May says. "Independent of me, they
were interested in adding beehives. I caught
wind of it and got involved." It might seem odd
that bees would survive—much less thrive—in
an urban environment, but thrive they did.
"There's a lot for bees to forage in the
city," the author says. "People impor t plants
from around the world and put them on their
roofs and windowsills, so there are plants
blooming year-round. If you're a bee, it's like a
cruise ship buffet."
Naturally, May enlisted her grandfather to
help her. "He became my consultant. I thought I
knew a lot but actually had a child's knowledge
of beekeeping. At that point, he was weakening
and was having trouble lifting. He was energized
by passing on his knowledge to me."
She's kept hives near her Potrero Hill home
ever since. "It feels right and keeps me connect-
ed to my grandfather. I feel like the bees took
Each honeybee has a specific
job—gathering nectar, feeding
the young, keeping the hive at
a constant temperature—but
every task is ultimately in
service to the hive's queen.
Photos: Meredith May
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