"Frederick" - Pondering one of my favorite books

This is a re-run, but since I just named my new horse Frederik, I thought some explanation might be useful.

Frederick is the story of a little 'family of field mice.

All the mice are busy gathering corn, nuts, and seeds for the long winter ahead. All of them except for Frederick. He just sits on the stone wall.

They are all a little perturbed with Frederick.

"Frederick, why don't you work?" they ask.

"I do work" says Frederick.

"I am gathering the sun for the cold dark winter days"

Frederick continues to sit.

The mice ask him "and now Frederick?"

Frederick replies "I gather colors, for winter is gray"

One last time they ask Frederick in their frustration at his lack of work " and now are you just dreaming Frederick?"

Frederick's response is "Oh no, I am gathering words. For the winter days are long and many, and we'll run out of things to say"

You can read the story yourself to find out what happens. It is my favorite childhood story and one I read to my boys over and over when they were little.

I am a Frederick. I take every opportunity to savor and soak up the warm sun of summer. I memorize the colors of my garden and of the woods that surround me. And now I use the words that have gathered in my mind over that beautiful season to write and express the thoughts of my heart.

Now I look forward to the summer ahead so I can start the "Frederick" process all over again!

(I hope I don't run out before then!)

So in the doldrums of January in Michigan, take some time to ponder the sunshine, the colors of summer, and the happy words that go along with it.

~Love,

Barb - A.K.A. Frederick