my life

2011-10-29T15:53:00.001-04:00

I always feel like a renegade when the first little powder snow comes. It never lasts long, and it isn't serious, but the proper attitude is the long face, the foreboding shake of the head, and the grim comment that it won't be long now. I would like to act as Kyak does, and go tearing around in circles, scooping up mouthfuls of snow as a fast train scoops up water, and leaping crazily and prodigiously over little snow-covered trees. I don't, partly because any tree I could leap over wouldn't be worth bothering with and I'd probably fall flat on my fanny anyhow, but mostly because I'd simply be too unpopular if anyone suspected my anti-social liking of winter.

-We Took To the Woods, Louise Dickinson Rich

2011-08-21T11:59:00.001-04:00

"The common thread among all surfboards is that they have provided plenty of lasting memories to their owners. In the process they have allowed us an easy way out from our day-to-day world of obligations, work and other times we'd rather forget.

"After all, for the last 100 years surfboards have been nothing less than a recreational form of entertainment. These were boards that we loved, cared for, and in turn paid us back with way more fun times than we would have ever expected.

"Once our lives are touched by a surfboard, they change forever.....

- Fernando Aguerre, <u>Surfboards

The Sari Memoirs

2011-08-15T13:39:00.001-04:00

The following is the account of Sari's life as excerpted from my journals. The words are exactly as i penned them years ago, all spelling or grammatical errors have not been corrected to preserve the original script. Enjoy.

December 29, 1997
The usual stuff. Sari get pillows and be bad.

January 5, 1998
Took Sari on the Able trail in the woods.

January 7, 1998
This was the first time Grammy saw Sari.

March 9, 1998
At 7:10 A.M. I went downstairs. Mother, Bethany, and Sari our dog were up. (Andrew)

Tuesday
I do my math with Sari in "little closet".

June 28th
Sari was bad this morning.

June 29, 1998
Woke up early to take the dog out, but she had already wet her kennel. Cleaned it up and took her out. As soon as she was outside she hightailed to the backyard and I followed. I went to go look in the trap to see if we caught anything. It almost looking like we caught a rabbit but we really didn't. I got Sari and we went inside to were Elizabeth was.

July 3, 1998
Woke up and took Sari out at 6:35 a.m. but she had already SOPPED her kennel.

July 7
Tool Sari out. The bunny (wild) has been eating the lettuce we used to bate the trap. I rebated it, took Sari inside.

Sunday Night
I feel sorry for Sari because Sari has to be in her kennel all the time. Rotzells leave.

September 9, 1998
Mom and Dad went out to ice cream (I'm glad they do things like that), oh yeah Sari got to go too I'm especially glad for her. Oh yes I'm very glad for Sari she sleeps in the lean-two with the Boys. (Andrew)

October 5, 1998
Right now we're driving to Camp Sebago to help Mrs. VanBrunt to make applesauce for all the Salvation Army. Sari came too and we brought her kennel....Sari and Max played together and Sari had fun.

April 13, 1999
The squirrel is teasing Sari again.

September 28, 1999
Yesterday Sari caught a squirrel and made its leg bleed then dropped it Matthew said it would die. (Andrew)

"Spy Journal"
S (Sari) falls for sock trick. Good - S lied down.

Wednesday, 12/8
I am drinking REALLY good hot chocolate. Mom and Sari are here, dad, mat, nat, and liz are still skiing.

June 21, 2000
I just finished reading for a hour in the lean too w/ Sari.

October 3, 2000
Something fun to do is get Sari's attention, take her ball, and sit on it or hide it in yourself. I did it a few minutes ago and she stuck her muzzle into me and sniffed and snorted. It is very fun and tickles!! We can't touch her, though, because Matthew put her front-line on her.

November 23, 2000
I am sitting next to Sari, next to the couch corner facing the T.V. I have given Sari my blanket - folded up - as a head rest. She looks very comfortable.... Sari's dreaming! She half woofs - through her nose it sounds like, her feet twitch as if she's running, and once her tail wagged! She's so funny / weird.

August 2, 2001
I have been sleeping in the tent every day with Sari. She sleeps on her blanket, I sleep on the air mattress, but I don't use the air pillows because they are very uncomfortable.

October 9, 2001
Our plans were a little altered when we arrived at Fort Edgecomb and it was closed for the season. We skipped ahead to Aunt Millie's, and we invited her to join us going to Fort William-Henry. Although it was a little chilly (it frosted last night), she accepted. The fort was pretty neat, although I liked Fort Popham better. After enjoying our picnic, we drove back to Aunt Millie's, where she gave us cocoa and cookies, then chatted with Mom. After we picked a few bushels of apples, we left. Through it all Sari accompanyed us; she even went inside Aunt Millie's house!

Thanksgiving Day, 2001
Mom, Dad, Elizabeth, Sari, Andrew, and I all went to Wallingford to buy two containers of creamed onions which Nathanael kindly put away for us in case they all sold out, and amish butter.

April 22, 2002
I walked around the garagde aiming to go in the front door and tell Dad; however, I met Mom on the brick walk, who was taking Sari out.
P.S. Sari has lighter fluid on her paws which is making her act really funny because they itch like crazy. I hope she's better tomorrow.
P.S.S. I don't know if I told you or not but Sari has lime tick disease.

April 29, 2002
I was closing the garage when I saw a chipmunk sneaking into the garage Sari was out so I yelled "chipmunk"! but Sari didn't hear. (Andrew)

May 13, 2002
P.S. Sari limped a little bit today but seems fine.

Sunday, July 28, 2002
Early: Woken up but manage to get back to sleep
8:00 A.M. Dozed in lean-too. Alarmed by Sari growling at Something.
3:39: Leave to get video w/ dog, Anna, Elizabeth, Andrew

Wednesday, November (day before Thanksgiving)
We stayed at Mrs. Preble's condo at Fall Line, room (WEST) 110. It's pretty nice but can get a bit cramped sometimes, esp. on Tuesday when Matthew, Sari, Mom, and Anna came. Mom, Sari, and Anna have already left.

June 15, 2004
It's about ten of seven - in the morning. Sari was sleeping with me and woke me up around six thirty.

January 5, 2005
Sari played with Zoe today. Progress!

July 21, 2011
Sari is in dog heaven.

August 3, 2011: One Year

2011-08-03T10:34:00.001-04:00

Dear Family & Friends,

We have updated Mom's webpage with a new letter and info about the funds received in 2010. We are so thankful for all donations, both in the past and hopefully in the future also. Please share with your family and friends, we know 100% of this money will be used to school our dear friends in China.

http://pattyyellis.org

Bethany Yellis

Sent from my iPad

November 27, 2001

2011-07-28T22:44:00.001-04:00

Dear Diary,

Today was ok. In the morning I cleaned and did school work, at ten: thirty I had my Calligraphy lesson, lunch, more school, dinner, bed. At dinner time Andrew had a big outburst because he said something and then when Mom told him to come into the bathroom (obviously to be spanked), he refused to and even started to run away through the house when Mom went over to him to try to make him obey her. Mom ended sending him outside for almost twenty minutes or less while she went to pick up Matthew from gymnastics and drop him off at town hall for a meeting. And all through that episode Elizabeth was in the bathroom crying because she put baking side into the cornbread instead of baking powder, or something like that; and Dad was sitting at the table saying some favorite line from a movie he saw a month ago, something like peace or I don't remember. After dinner (and a very meager one it was) at about 8:00, when Andrew was reconciled, Dad read to us. I recently put all my markers into my lap desk, so I had that downstairs and started coloring (Mom wore the teardrop dress today) while Dad read. Of course Andrew had to go get something and color too. And of course he sat down behind me at the most two inches away so that when I ever moved my elbow, It would bump into his head. He never moved the two inches it would take but when I moved a little away and moved the markers around so they were accessible, he moved right back up to where I had been. Maybe he just didn't feel it. Well, Dad read for at the most 20 minutes, then he made his voice fade away then finally stopped and said that he wouldn't read anymore. He put the book away and asked Nathanael for the jumble. I wonder if he didn't like us coloring while he read. That seems kind of stupid, though.

2011-07-23T15:04:00.000-04:00

Don't know what I'd do without my Zoe!

July

2011-07-18T10:36:00.001-04:00

It seems that July is already half over, yet it feels like summer has barely begun. Part of it has to do with the weeks spent in china, I know. But really, the more I try to enjoy each and every moment, the faster time seems to pay me no mind and fly on by.

I've begun and finished several projects over the course of the spring/summer. The gardens are looking really good. A lot of the touch-up painting around the house has gotten done also: in addition to re-staining the deck. I don't have pictures of everything, but I do have a couple before-after pictures. I'll have to figure out how to put them up here side by side.... Hmm.

This past weekend was pretty busy. We spent all of last week finishing projects in order to make the house presentable (perfect) for Elizabeth's high school graduation party, which was this past Saturday. Everything went perfectly, although perhaps we had a tad too much food. I was glad nearly everyone she invited was able to make it. Then we also had some good friends staying with us this weekend. They just left this morning to continue on up north to Owls Head, where they will be vacationing for another week or so. The house seems quite quiet now that everyone has left - a 3 and 6 year old sure can liven things up.

Will really enjoyed playing with my iPhone..... And iPad. We have a picture of him falling asleep while watching a surfing movie. Pretty cute.

First blog update on my new iPad

2011-07-10T09:46:00.001-04:00

I have downloaded a $.99 app for posting to my blog from my new iPad. Yes, I did receive an iPad for my 24th birthday from my family. Engraved on the back it says "Beth, Happy 24th B'day. Love Dad, Elizabeth, Andrew, Anna & Matthew".
Very, very neat. I am in the middle of creating a movie from all the little clips the kids in china recorded on my phone.

And this app seems to be working quite lovely. Below is a picture of my iPad and then dad with my birthday cake.

Whispers from Heaven

2011-07-03T22:05:00.001-04:00

Whispers from Heaven

By Al Littleton & Brenda Smith

When I left this world without you

I know it made you blue.

Your tears fell so freely,

I watched; I know this is true.

While you were weeping,

Days after I passed away –

While all was silent within me,

I saw you kneel to pray.

From this wonderful place called heaven

Where all my pain is gone,

I send a gentle breeze to whisper,

"My loved ones, please go on"

The peace that I have found here

Goes far beyond compare

No rain, no clouds, no suffering –

Just LOVE from everywhere.

You need not be troubled

Just stay close to GOD in prayer

Someday we'll be reunited

My love, HIS love surrounds you always,

EVERYWHERE

2011-06-28T17:01:00.000-04:00

Missing this already.....

2011-06-24T01:38:00.001-04:00

Our time here is slowly coming to a close. Since we both excel at dealing with issues in a denial fashion, we are avoiding thoughts of the end of our visit.

Sent from my iPhone

但....

2011-06-21T03:15:00.000-04:00

但那些谁伺候耶稣会更新它们力。

I just translated that short sentence painstakingly from English into Pinyan using google translate and then into characters using my Chinese-English dictionary I just bought as well as the Chinese character option on my iPhone. I was attempting to compose and then translate a letter I can give to all the staff when we leave. What I had not taken account of is how long it takes to translate accurately as well as whether I'll be able to accurately copy all the characters or figure out a way to print it out of the computer. Right now I think printing from a computer makes sense.

I'm really tired this afternoon since we took the bus up to the city's center and walked around for a couple hours in the blazing heat. Andrew said he now understood why dad always took the map when they went out walking last trip. It does make the wanderings somewhat exciting without a map although we did come to the realization we'd made several figure 8's and maybe 6's during the sojourns.

I'm not sure what we'll do tomorrow yet, but some of the kids and houseparents are going to take us to a big mountain that's on the outskirts of Fuzhou thursday morning. They were talking about it one meal we spent with them, and shorty thereafter decided to take us.

All the staff have been so welcoming towards us which is why I'm attempting to write a letter of encouragement to them all. Back to translating.....

Sent from my iPhone

2011-06-19T22:10:00.000-04:00

Delish cup of coffee. This will be a good day, I just know it.

2011-06-19T22:05:00.000-04:00

We had a fun weekend with the kids and I had a fun birthday. When everyone came home from school they all said "happy birthday" to me in English, which was cool. The house family we ate lunch & dinner with that day prepared us special dumplings in addition to the fare usually prepared by the cook. It was a meal to remember! And the dumplings were delicious. She also used a special seasoning on some Chinese vegetables that can only be bought up north, she hides it in her room so no one else can take it.

Our time with the kids has been pleasant. It is hard knowing we will have to leave them soon. But our trip here has already been well worth it. The staff is encouraged by our presence.

Andrew has a meeting this afternoon at 3. Perhaps I will venture out into the streets alone for some solo adventure times.

Sent from my iPhone

Happy birthday!!

2011-06-19T21:37:00.001-04:00

They bought me a cake. Such wonderful people.

Birthday Dinner

2011-06-19T21:37:00.000-04:00

There's a plate of dumplings they made off to the side, not visible in the picture...

2011-06-17T02:32:00.000-04:00

Happy birthday to me!!!!!!

2011-06-17T02:31:00.000-04:00

Apparently the Chinese way of eating a banana is to peel away a tiny part and then use a spoon, as John is doing in the picture. Andrew tried it also, actually pretty handy.

2011-06-16T21:46:00.000-04:00

Andrew and Mark fooling around after lunch yesterday.

2011-06-16T21:43:00.001-04:00

Despite the 8 hour layover in Hong Kong, during which I slept quite comfortably curled up on a chair, we arrived safely without any problems at the Fuzhou orphanage saturday afternoon. It was nice spending extra time with the children during the weekend, they are kept busy with school, homework, and chores during the week.

We are rotating where we eat meals, so that no one feels gypped. Yesterday and today we ate lunch & dinner with the cook, (big) John, Mark, and (little) John.

The kids have grown a lot since I last saw them six or so years ago. The new orphanage that was built after my first visit is very nice also.

I wish I could speak Chinese, but I'm able to communicate fairly well with the children despite that small barrier. They are all learning English in school, although they really don't like using it at all.

We are here when the kids get back from school for lunch and spend that time with them. After lunch everyone takes rests, and then they go back to school until 5. Today during that time Andrew and I took a bus to a nice little street that has a bunch of little shops and cafes and such. Then we walked in a huge figure 8 and managed to find the bus stop to get back to the orphanage.

After dinner we play outside with the kids until 6:30 when they go back in to do homework until bedtime. Every night a certain group will knock on our door around 7:30 for English homework help. Yesterday Mark and John came, the night before that nearly all the girls showed up: Emma, Kathy, Molly, Hannah, Helen, and Amy. Andrew and I managed to help them all, although when I went upstairs to help someone else I have no idea how he handled them all.

We found a little cafe a very short walk up the street that has free wireless Internet as well as an awesome assortment of beverages and foods. The first time we went they were jackhammering apart cement stairs next door, probably the loudest thing on earth, but I think they will be finished that soon.

Pictures to follow.

Sent from my iPhone

Hello from China

2011-06-14T22:40:00.001-04:00

Hello blog. I'm updating from china. We are sitting in a little cafe sipping watermelon juice. Unfortunately there's this huge drill noise combined with banging on the roof which is about to give us both a massive headache, so we will be leaving shortly.

Sent from my iPhone

"I'll Be Here"

2011-06-03T16:49:00.002-04:00

I cannot ease your aching heart,

Nor take your pain away;

But let me stay and take your hand

And walk with you today.

I'll listen when you need to talk,

I'll wipe away your tears;

I'll share your worries when they come,

I'll help you face your fears.

I'm here and I will stand by you,

On each hill you have to climb;

So take my hand, let's face the world...

And live just one day at a time.

You're not alone, for I'm still here,

I'll go that extra mile;

And when your grief is easier,

I'll help you learn to smile!

-unknown

Mothers Day remembrances

2011-05-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

May 10, 2009
" Mom did not go to church today - she was too tired (possible side effect of new chemo pill). Dad and Matt brought her lunch from popovers. Also Matt tool Mom to the Arundel Wharf for a special dessert. She seemed to enjoy a very pleasant day. "

May 8, 2010
" A busy April. The chemo 'trio' has really taken everything out of mom. Extreme fatigue, annoyingly painful stomach aches, a nagging cough which can worsen from just a couple degrees of temperature change, and loss or lack of appetite are just a few of the daily troubles she is expected to cheerfully endure. "

May 8, 2011
We skipped church today. Well, we had a little home church, purposely avoiding the typical mothers day sermon, which would have put all of us simply over the edge.

Have enjoyed the voicemails, texts, and notes from various friends throughout the day. Decided it wouldn't be the wisest idea to visit the cemetery today, although I plan to go soon so I can plant a few pansies.

Dinner

2011-04-27T09:15:00.000-04:00

Recently we bought a brand new Betty Crocker Cookbook. My friend also gave me the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I have been having a fabulous time cooking new foods and trying out new recipes. To anyone interested, either of the above-mentioned cookbooks would be a great addition to your kitchen. We especially enjoy them as we were starting to get tired of the "same old" stuff.

The below picture is a salad made by Anna, homemade breadsticks, and Pasta Margherita. Tonight we'll be using the leftovers in a tasty-looking Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad.

2011-03-29T12:04:00.000-04:00

Hiking up Burnt Mountain this past weekend....

2011-03-14T22:08:00.000-04:00

This is what the phrase "swimming through snow" means...

Thoughts, and an Adventure

2011-03-14T22:06:00.001-04:00

So there I was, walking through the woods, with my dear dog Zoe of course. I was supposedly taking her for a walk but it seemed rather that she was walking me.

My head was full of crazy thoughts swirling round and round. I was thinking about how I was starting to miss writing and realized I actually enjoyed it (I know, a pretty wild thought). I was in the middle of reading this book where the two guys did all sorts of crazy outdoor adventures - most of which involved heading off into the woods with only camping gear, a compass, and one of the guys carried along a notebook. I began entertaining the idea (which was bashed before it really got to bloom, thanks a lot Matthew) that I would become a bushwhacker during the summer months. After all, I was walking Zoe up the bracket mountain trail. In the summer, we could walk all over the Northern Maine woods, learning how to use a compass, bringing along a few food supplies, said compass, little stash of gear, and a journal. I was beginning to imagine the adventures we would have and all the things I'd collect and write down in my journal. Wildlife sightings, getting lost, enjoying panoramic views perhaps never viewed at that exact location in quite awhile (since we'd be bushwhacking, hiking off-trail).

I'm thinking of all these things and more as Zoe and I make the loop we take sometimes, up the logging road and back down along the trail, coming out about where we started. Not too much activity, it's a rainy dreary day after all, the snow is melting, and the birds aren't making too much noise yet. We hike down along the trail, sometimes sinking in quite deep but usually staying nearer the surface of the snow since snowshoers have packed it down quite nicely for walkers during the previous weeks.

We made it uneventfully down to the first stream crossing. The snow was melting, the stream was raging, and the ice bridge had totally collapsed. I set out in search of a new crossing spot, wading through 2-3 foot drifts, with my trusty dog Zoe "swimming" over my tracks behind me. Our first crossing attempt was one hundred percent unsuccessful. It was difficult to see where the snow was covering the ground, the stream, or rocks. I managed to jump from the shore to the middle rock accurately, and then figures out where the shore was and jumped to the other side. Meanwhile Zoe had gotten stuck in the first jump, and her back legs had broken through the snow and were stuck in the stream while her front feet were on the rock.

At this point I started to panic since we were right at the point where the stream's current began to run swiftly. A thought popped into my head from a book dad had begun to read to us which involved two boys, ice and ponds, and tragedy.

I jumped frantically back to the middle rock and managed to drag Zoe out of the creek so we are both crouched on the rock. Then I jump back over to the opposite shore but a bit of snow gives way and the jump is now a bit longer for Zoe. Despite all my pleading and bribing, she understandably does not budge from the middle rock. I jump back to her a second time, misjudge the distance, and fall partway into the creek myself.

At this point I'm quite glad the day is so warm. We manage to make it back to the farther storm, tramp through snow awhile longer before finding another attemptable crossing point. This second crossing goes much better then expected, although by now we are far from the brackett basin trail and it's easier to walk up the hill to Stub's trail.

The snow drifts are pretty amazing, and Zoe almost didn't make it (but like the little train that could, she did) (picture to follow). We made it back to the condo, quite ready for a hot shower & nap.

the road not taken

2011-03-06T22:54:00.000-05:00

Great great poem, and I typically don't enjoy poetry. Was referenced in a book I just finished reading today. Perhaps I should try again to enjoy poetry, maybe I'm passed that highschool hating-it phase...

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;	5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,	10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.	15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.	20

2011-03-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

The New Saturday

2011-03-05T11:31:00.001-05:00

My saturdays used to consist of 7-9 straight hours of greenhouse/ floral work. Dealing with limitless customer inquiries, random problematic coworker difficulties, making sure everything was just how The Boss' OCD tendencies required. Once home after a busy Saturday, my feet would hurt (less now that I have special inserts), and often I'd fall asleep before dinner, unless of course I was the one designated to be cooking that dinner.

As of late, however, my saturdays have begun to take a turn for the better. Now I leisurely wake up at any point between 7 - 8:30. The first pot of coffee is brewed and drunk by 9. The weekly condo cleaning, wash, and misc chores is usually all wrapped up by 10. Second cup of coffee while evaluating the mountain weather and saturday crowds gives a nice post-cleaning break.

A trip to the carrabasset public library, which is located about a 4-minute car ride from the condo usually wraps up the productive yet relaxing morning.

A saturday afternoon can include anything from reading, napping, Java Joe's visit (lattes!!), skiing, boarding, hiking / dog walking....

We eat dinner in front of the tv, watching whichever current DVD or tv series we've brought along for the occasion (tonight Anna and I will begin the Five Mile Creek series, and actually yes we did just wrap up a unit study on Australia).

I don't know about you, but my recently figured-out Saturday schedule may just be a tad more appealing then the former one.

2011-03-05T11:09:00.003-05:00

Testing four five and six

2011-03-05T11:09:00.001-05:00

Testing one two three

Sent from my iPhone