First off let's start with the serious stuff. It all started last summer when people started noticing hoards of bees dying in there gardens. What was later revealed is that garden plants sold at Home Depot and Lowe's had been treated with a pesticide that kills insects, including bees. The pesticide is also in the nectar and even leaches into the surrounding soil and remains for some time. This pesticide has been banned in Europe. Why is the USA so far behind on some of these important issues?!
An effort is underway to ask Lowe's and Home Depot to Stop Killing Bees!! 'Swarm' them with cards around Valentines Day, asking these retailers to “show the bees some love” and stop selling bee-killing pesticides (neonicotinoids) and garden plants which have been pre-poisoned with such pesticides.
Local Minnesotans in front of a Home Depot store, some dressed in Bee costumes, handing out heart shaped cookies with the words "Bee Mine" on them.
Here are a few Vintage Bee Valentine images from Flickr, click on the image to go to the link.
Now for some more local events...
How about snowshoeing and hot chocolate by the bonfire or how does a romantic sleigh ride and a candlelight dinner sound? Well they actually sound lovely, now that our temperaturs have warmed a bit, however I checked the links and all the events are completely sold out! Figures the native Minnesotans wouldn't let a little cold and snow keep them away. I think I will stay home with my Honey and have dinner by the fireplace!
I saved the best/funniest for last. Check out some of these great pictures of the Cupid's Undie Run.....
What is a Cupid's Undie Run?
Cupid’s Undie Run is a mile(ish) run in your bedroom-best on Valentine’s weekend. No, we’re not crazy, we’re just crazy serious about raising money for The Children’s Tumor Foundation. We raised over $1.3 Million in donations last year, so come join the fun and help us hit $3 Million for 2014! Festivities start mid-day on Saturday, February 15th* 2014, then we run/dance around the streets for the main event and come back for more post-race festivities and awards. Your Valentine’s Day will never be the same!Brave Minnesotans dressed in their undies for a fun run!
Happy Valentine's Day!
hornets and wasps never get any valentines any year. They don't bee nice to people and don't produce anything.
ReplyDeleteWe desperately need the bees! So well done to those people for trying to stop the insecticides. Wasps are also useful, I discovered after we had a nest in our loft, we just let them move on :)
ReplyDeleteOh I love those vintage valentines! So cute! I am a beekeeper myself so I love anything bee-related. And I'm so glad you posted about the issue of bees dying off. It's such a serious topic!
ReplyDeleteDear Diane - I didn't realize about the bees...we have discussed it at work and wondered if the GMO's were responsible...guess they might be. Now that undie run is too funny dear - are you planning on running in it (LOL)! Have a great Valentine's day with your honey. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bees and monarchs are in tragic decline and I no I am not running, but 'hurrah's' to anyone that does!
DeleteYou definitely made me smile !
ReplyDeleteHAppy Valentines day !
The Cupid's Undie Run was my favorite. Anyone that helps raise money for sick children is wonderful. Love all your vintage Valentine cards.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day, Diane. I hope your day is filled with so much happiness and love.
~Sheri
Yes, I love that people are worried about the bees! We should be. They are a vital part of this world. I can't believe companies use pesticides that hurt these precious creatures. Don't they realize that by poisoning the bees, we are hurting ourselves.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Cupid's Undie Run. What a wonderful event for an important cause. $1.3 Million in donations last year? Wow! I hope it's even more successful this year.
The vintage cards are adorable. They take me back to my childhood when we used to exchange cards in the classroom. Such warm memories of those days!
Happy Valentine's Day!
The bee thing makes me so sad! Good for those people...and the people running around in underwear ;)
ReplyDeleteSo sad about the bees. :(
ReplyDeleteI adore the cards, happy Valentine's day to you!
I hope that Home Depot listens to the people and the protesters. How sad!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentines Day, Diane! Love the bee cards and of course, you're absolutely right about the need to protect bees. Without them, our agriculture is sunk.
ReplyDeleteWe have an Underwear Run here in Edmonton too but we hold it in the summer. You know, when it's WARM? You crazy bastards.
Happy Valentine's Day Diane ;o) I am so sorry I haven't e-mailed you yet! I promise this weekend! ;o)
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad about our bees! Don't they realize, with no bees, we have nothing! We would die? We need our bees! Assholes!!
I love the old Valentine cartoon cards! They have so much character in them ;o)
You would freeze your butt off in that run! At least it is for a great cause and you wouldn't get hot ;o)
Big Valentine Hugs ;o)
That is sad about the bees, but hopefully the issue garners enough attention to get something done about it.
ReplyDeleteKristin
Very worrying about the bees - why don't people realise how important they are?
ReplyDeleteI loved all your Bee Valentines.
Have a good rest of the weekend. xx
I hope the protesting works, I like bees too!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.