Shook: Honey is sweet and life is good at this bee farm a short drive from Fayetteville

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Hi foodies,

Last month, I spent a morning milling around a honey farm in Linden with owner Jim Hartman, an Army veteran who started beekeeping to ease his PTSD. You can read all about his story here.

He told me that he likes to warm a jar of honey on a sunny windowsill, which makes it easier to pour a tablespoon of it into a glass of bourbon, for his version of an old fashioned.

I was charmed by the idea of this quaint ritual, especially as we stood in the grass, looking out at the beehives and a field of wildflowers that should bloom any day now.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, bees were buzzing, birds were chirping, and the self-service store was stocked with honey and homemade jam. It felt like traveling to a simpler time. I think I finally understand what people mean when they say they want to live somewhere "quiet."

I left feeling a little lighter.

Happy eating,

Taylor

Taylor Shook writes about food, dining and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. She can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Shook: Life is as sweet as honey at Secret Garden Bees in Linden, NC