Winter In Thimblewyck

It's winter and I am cozily spending time inside our hive.  But I know that the first winter after Lina was kidnapped was a tense time at Thimble Farm.  Finally the wood sprite, Camber, told her parents that the wind song of the trees had let him know she was safe in a warm burrow.  They were still worried but they had to turn their attention to the refugees that came to their farm because of several natural disasters in the area, such as floods and fire.
Lina didn't know any of this. She was living with Clarissa, a small mouse and learning to read, among other things.  You may wonder how a mere bee, tucked away in a hive, can know so much.  Remember, I have a nose for news.  Every plant, every living thing that gets near my nose tells me things. One of the things I am now being told is that I must join in in fanning the queen bee.  But I will find a way to tell you more about all the citizens of Thimblewyck.  Stay warm and cozy.  Tell wonderful stories by your own fireside.

Is Zenna Too Inventive?

I don't know about you, but I kind of think bees and bugs and spiders and things should just stick to being bees and bugs and spiders and things.  But that  spider, Zenna,has figured out how to make wings for creatures who don't have wings naturally.  She has also adapted her webs for the work of nets and screens.  What will she invent next.  I hope it isn't something that keeps me away from my precious flowers. Of course it was a good thing to develop wings for Lina.  She is a small as a fairy and it was very hard for her to get around before she learned to fly.  She rode in Tom Thimble's pocket a lot and between the ears of that big horse, Thor.  I wonder if I could invent something.  What could it be?  Maybe I could create a social club among the best flower patches. A bee needs to socialize from time to time.  I wonder if it should have music.  Maybe Zenna could develop a harp that we could play, and maybe dance to the music of it.  Maybe I have just changed my mind.  I guess anybody that has an idea should go ahead and try to work it out.  Well, I have to buzz off.  I have an idea that there are some really good roses just over the hill,  full of great nectar.  Talk to you later.  Delbert.

Heroes of Thimblewyck

I have been so busy that I haven't written any news lately.  But important things have been going on.  There are a lot of heroes at Thimblewyck and heroic doings.  Marus was quite a hero when he snatched Lina's soul from the fire so she could have life.  Some people don't even know what a hero is so I suppose I should explain.  A hero is someone who takes on an important and unusual challenge.  Many times a hero saves a victim from a villain.
A victim is someone who can't recover from something bad without help.  A villain only cares about himself and
will do anything to get his way.  Gordon Mole was a hero when he helped Lina escape from Clarissa and her sharp scissors.  Our queen, who is very wise, says that everybody can be a hero in their own life.  She says that we have to go out, figure out how to solve challenges and come back the better for it.  I found some most excellent flowers today, with good pollen and wonderful nectar.  Then I let the other bees know where they were with my bee dance.  I suppose I was a hero today.  Heroes of Thimblewyck, I salute you.

Delbert says some flowers have bitter memories

When I asked Lina the other day what were her favorite flowers she was quick to mention that she didn't think that highly of water lilies.  She said they were pretty and she was glad the leaves or pads were strong.  But the night she spent being stuck to a lily pad was a bad night for her.  The pond fish helped free her the next morning. Croadine was an evil frog that kidnapped Lina from the window sill of her home.  That started a year long adventure for Lina that took her from little girl to young woman.  As a bee the most important thing is to spot the flowers and get the pollen for the hive.  All flowers are good to me.  I feel sorry that Lina had some bad experiences.  But she came through fine.  I am glad for that.  Well, I think I will go visit some flowers and some other friends.

DELBERT WONDERS ABOUT SIZE

Thor is the biggest horse I have ever seen.  He does a lot of work for Farmer Tom Thimble.  But he is also a dear friend to Lina and the fairies.  When I was growing up bees were supposed to talk to bees, dogs to dogs, cats to cats, people to people.  You weren't suppose to mingle with those "not of your kind"  I really think that is a silly idea.  I like the way it is at Thimblewyck.  Anybody can talk, really talk, to anybody.  Sometimes I feel tired and down and can't find another bee who has time for me.  But Thor will usually listen.  I suppose that is because he has such big ears.  Maybe size isn't that important. Nor shape of wings, or whatever.  But I do know Lina worried a lot about being small at first.  I promise to listen to others more this year.  My buzz doesn't need to send a message that I am too busy to talk.  Here's to good friends and good conversations.  Well, I gotta go now.  I'll share my buzz later.