This poem is too good to pass by...please read and enjoy.


The Quitter

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child,

And Death looks you bang in the eye,

And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle

To cock your revolver and . . . die.

But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,"

And self-dissolution is barred.

In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . .

It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard.

"You're sick of the game!" Well, now, that's a shame.

You're young and you're brave and you're bright.

"You've had a raw deal!" I know -- but don't squeal,

Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.

It's the plugging away that will win you the day,

So don't be a piker, old pard!

Just draw on your grit; it's so easy to quit:

It's the keeping-your-chin-up that's hard.

It's easy to cry that you're beaten -- and die;

It's easy to crawfish and crawl;

But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight --

Why, that's the best game of them all!

And though you come out of each gruelling bout,

All broken and beaten and scarred,

Just have one more try -- it's dead easy to die,

It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.


--- Robert Service

Little turkey.

The Twerp has now turned two....

...And doesn't she act like it. I didn't expect the change to happen quite so fast, but it has. One day we have a nice little one year old and the next she hits two and turns terrible. Yes, the terrible two's have come.

Miss Esther, on Wednesday morning, her birthday:

Sitting up on my bed playing with several ponies, she is kept up in our girls room because mom and younger siblings are wrapping up a few gifts downstairs. I come up and take the other half of the bed and attempt to study a school book.

Esther talking to ponies:

"argh argh argh" ...Ponies are galloping around

"drink..drink, drink some coffee" ponies is tipped and is obviously drinking off the blanket the refreshing coffee.

I couldn't keep back laughing when she said "drink coffee" so I corrected her and told her horses drink water, but she didn't mind me.

Next she rearranges blanket, smoothes down and fixes the pillow behind her. Ponies are not in the right spot either, each must be carefully moved to her right side instead of on top of her. After a couple more minutes of playing she repeats the careful art of moving them to the spot that is "just right".

Next: Esther is a ghost disguised with a blanket draped over her...She attempts to walk on the bed but ends up tripping on edge of blanket and falling down.
Now, all the ponies are to be put under the blanket. Note: very carefully.

Ponies are forgotten as Esther realizes that I make and excellent source for climbing. After I got her off she still can't seem to resist disturbing me.

Soon she is a monster. She stands up on the bed puts her arms up and hands out. "Argggh...Argggggh". (if you've ever read "where the wild things are" that is exactly what she looked like).

"Don't jump on my bed" I warned. She looked at me took the risk and hopped up and down. Rachel was on her bed studying and we looked at each other and couldn't help laughing (despite how bad it was)...The monster scenes ends with a swat.

Whew, mom and kids are finally finished down stairs and the "monster" can go.

And as far as scenes with terrible two year olds....She started out her birthday by attempting to throw a temper tantrum.

The witness ~Lydia

Wait for me!


Dad and 'the cat'

Anyone know who this is?
In front of New Saint Andrews!
Yum. Sunday's dinner.
The silly faces are due to the person behind the camera.

Cowgirl and baby. I know Libby posted one like it....but it's too cute to pass by.

In Zume
Noah filling the van; one of many times.
Hannah piled with kids....reading one last book.....

Warning: pictures are not in order. Use your imagination. ~R

I suppose now would be a good time to update before I forget all the important events of late.

We arrived home last night from our long awaited trip to Moscow, ID, where we saw the legendary trouble makers who dwell there, and continually grow. We also left our sister Hannah there to become one of these scalawags and to be trained in their ways.

To those of you who have been to Moscow, this is a good description, is it not?

Now for a black and white description of the week in chronological order.

We left here just after 5:00am a week ago Friday and arrived in Moscow at 5:00am Saturday morning. It was an unintentional straight through drive with a few stops. We first went to Mr. and Mrs. R’s house (whom Hannah is boarding with) and unloaded all her belongings, milled around a bit, then drove an hour down to Lewiston where we were camping, a beautiful drive but very long with a 2000 ft declining grade. We cleaned ourselves up a bit and proceeded to Moscow again where there were dance lessons for the ball that evening. The lessons were a blast, and seemed very easy, but that must be due to having good partners.

The ball was simply wonderful to watch. Lots of reels and such, the only one I knew how to do was the Virginia Reel, due to Libby, but we managed to fudge on some others .

We went to church the following morning, I believe that is the third Presbyterian service I have attended. It was different than what I am used to, but none-the-less, nice. After church we went to the grocery store and purchased a chuck roast. Brought it to camp, chopped it up and cooked it over the fire. Yum. I think that was the best meal we ate. That evening was Handle’s ‘In Egypt’ by the NSA choir. Fantastic. I wish they had had a recording.

Monday-Wednesday was the conference days. With Steve Wilkins, Peter Lillbeck, and Doug Wilson as the main speakers. They all gave very good talks but S. Wilkins was my favorite.
We also went to ‘A mid-summer’s night dream’, a feast with a jazz band, and a concert with the ‘Cherish the Ladies’ Irish group.

We met several fun families who we hung out with, and I talked with the main speakers, and a lot of NSA people.

Libby arrived in Moscow on Tuesday night and attended the last concert with us, which was very fun. We ran errands and hung out with her on Thursday, and stared the long trek home on Friday. On the way home we were sensible and only went to billings were we met some friends of the R’s, extremely nice people, and spent the night at their house.

The week was everything summer vacation should be. And unless something dramatic happens

I plan to be in Moscow for Trinity Fest #2!

~Rachel

Unexpected sight: seeing snow (and snow plows) in August!

“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”

I heard these words at the best wedding I have ever attended, yesterday.
I had been wanting to attend an Anglican, or Reformed wedding for a long time and I was thoroughly satisfied with what I saw. I think it’s amazing that the prayer book service can be used for hundreds of years and hold the same reverence and beauty.
The reception was very nice also. Great food, music, and dancing. Maggie danced until 10:30! It was the first wedding she has been to and she is thoroughly hooked. She told me today “Rachel, YOU need to get married”. “Oh.” I said. I think she had in mind more dancing.

Now for a complete change of subject…..

I have found two sympathizers, apart from my family, on my dislike for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. One is a film review http://decentfilms.com/reviews/charlieandthechocolatefactory.html someone else also saw the Michael Jackson correlation with an extreme dislike for Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Wonka.
My other source was Brian Godawa who does not have a review and never will because he dislikes Tim Burton films, mainly for his poor story lines.

Another subject……

The next most exciting thing to happen is for Friday to come……Wow! I can actually say we are going to Moscow, this week. And as the time approaches and Hannah does more and more peculiar and wacko things. I look at her and shake my head and say “Poor, poor, Anoma!” (her roommate) Which she responds in a laugh.

~R

Lately Hannah has been trying to teach our 21 month old sister, Essie, some simple manners. Today, while I was in the kichen I overheard the following from the next room.

Scene begins by Essie getting into Hannah's wallet, Essie is than disiplined.

Hannah: What do you say Essie?

Essie: Pweese.

Hannah: No no, what do you say for being naughty?

Essie: tank you

Hannah: No, Essie, you say your sorry.

Essie: *with a sniff* sorry Nannie (Hannah).

Little siblings are so funny.

Lydia

Maggie often seems envious of Mary's name, for instance last winter she said: "Mom why can't we say Maggie Christmas?"
Today she was playing the piano and was singing in a flat line "Maggie had a little lamb......."
She also found a new name for playing the piano: Pianoing. Like it?

Rachel

My world seems to be falling apart; I can’t keep up with time or life.

On Thursday I was vacuuming the boys’ room and had to put the bunk bed ladder on the top mattress so it would be out of my way. My mind was not completely focused on my job since I was listening to a cassette tape. As I took the ladder back down I wasn’t looking at what I was doing and didn’t realize it was still several inches to the floor, I dropped it and it landed squarely on my left big toe. For a second I didn’t feel anything, but, a moment later I was flat on the floor clenching my teeth together while trying to hold back the pain. Right away it swelled up and turned blue...so for 3 days I’ve had to limp around, thankfully today I was actually able to walk quite normally. It certainly doesn’t help that I either keep stubbing it or it gets stepped on by other people.

Today I started out by trying to do some math, that attempt failed miserably and has for the last month. Instead I got distracted because I started to look at the school I want to accomplish this fall.

Then Hannah asked me to come out the office and get some more “hours in training done”. But that phrase sounds far too efficient for what really is going on. Hannah is trying to teach me some of the business’ basic paper work since she is leaving in 3 ½ weeks and nobody else knows how to do much of the computer work for it. My attempts so far have not really gone anywhere. I do fine when she explains to me the procedure of how it works and what to do, but, I go back later to do something on my own and I can’t; in other words my memory is zip, zilch, noughta. Hopefully I’ll be able to retain some knowledge of the stuff so we all aren’t left hanging.

Later:

Aww, a little while ago Mother sent me on a mission. So, I armed myself with tennis shoes, a little dust broom and a flashlight and began the march to the basement. Several persons in our family had heard squeaking behind the dryer and Mother couldn’t bare the thought of going down there with that on her mind...and of course the boys would be gone at Tae Kwon Do so I was volunteered by Mother to do the job. After some searching I spotted the little critter; the poor thing was walking back and forth, back and forth. When it came close enough to one side I took my little hand broom and I squished it into the corner.

What I can’t understand is how/why baby mice have to be so adorably gross. The little thing had little ears, a tail and a miserable cry. A little bit later Maggie was dying to see it and her analysis was simply

“DE-GUS-TING!”

Anyway, I’d better get some reading or something done.

Yours sincerely,

Lydia

I have a rather full and weekend but it has been a lot of fun.

First of all Josiah came home on leave and surprised our mom on Saturday. He is able to stay until this coming Saturday.

On Sunday we celebrated the 4th with the R's and B's...We had a great time together. Havilah went home with the B's since they have a daughter her age and she stayed the night.

On Monday, we received a phone call from Mr. B and we found out Havilah had fallen off a miniature pony and broken her left wrist. My mom and Hannah went to the emergency room with her and it is a very bad break, her swelling was so bad that they couldn't put a cast on her.

Today, my mom and Havilah went back to the doctor and the break is so bad that the doctor in town can't do it so we have to go up to the orthopedic in Fargo.

Please pray for Hav's pain and for the healing.

Today, the water started flowing across 86th St...Gradually were being surrounded! Hopefully the road won't wash out though, like it did in `97.

I hope everyone enjoyed the 4th.

Yours truly,

Lydia

I finished "Joy in the morning". It's a great way to get a good dose of humor. Ha, ha, I laughed over many lines, like:

"Little knowing that Uncle Percy's favorite reading would have been his name on a tombstone".

Or how about "Looney to the eyebrows"! Good stuff for fun.

Now I'm wondering what is the next book, well, not really wondering, trying to decide is more like it. I think maybe Lord of the Rings trilogy would be a good choice to read this month.

Rachel

We annually find a Painted turtle up by the mailbox. Nat was the lucky one this year. ~R

Mom and Dad trolling the horse pasture, I mean, Lake Benton 

Meet Anne Shirley.....and evidence to Lydia's story. ~R 

Hello,

I had begun this summer with great camping plans that Rachel and I were going to lead our younger sibling on, but alas, most have completely failed to materialize. We still plan to go to Medora in July, but not much else. I love tent camping. Bring along some fresh meat and vegetables, bikes, nature books and fun read-aloud story books (nightmare starters are the best!), some fishing poles...well you most likely know the rest. A hammock is good too. The key to fun camping is...
#1: Don't bring too much stuff!
#2: Everyone should have to carry and clean their own belongings.(Is this unreasonable?)
Example: clothes, shoes, plate, cup, silverware, and plastic bags should all be each persons back pack. They all should carry a sleeping bag (and pillow if they have to have one), and only one or two fun items for each person,(balls, cards, games).
Now, this may sound like ridicules planning to some of you, but we have a crew to work with. Good organization is required, or the oldest members are left in a mess. Which I find very unpleasant. :(
Sometime I want to try out winter camping. I believe the work load it heavier, but you don't have the bug problems, and its supposed to be very cozy if you have a good stove. I think you definitely need a good location scouted out, though. I just don't picture our flat, open countryside as much fun for it.
Are you all enjoying your summer? I hope so!
Hannah

A Pathetic Saga

The following tale is not exaggerated in facts by the imagination of the writer, as the last one was, but is an accurate account of what happened or happens when one is working and getting carried away.

My sister, Hannah, and I went out this evening to pick up any loose objects around the farm since the river continues to rise and we didn’t want anything carried off. We made a general outline of the farm and then went to check on the garden which is very water logged.

We got a shovel and a hoe and started making drainage canals in attempt to save some of the vegetables from rotting. The grounds was/is saturated and are rubber boots got suctioned in the thick soup-like mud (more like getting stuck in tar), we were able to get out as long as we moved around so we did not sink to far down.

Everything was going fairly well until I forgot about this and remained in one spot for several minutes. After tugging and pulling on my boots for awhile I got off balance and my hands went down and saved a fall but they did get a thick coat of goop. Hannah wasn’t to enthusiastic about helping me with my goopy hands so I gave another try, I lost my balance again and with a ker-plop I was sitting in the garden with my boots still stuck. By this time both of us were laughing so hard that I could barely do anything but at last I did end up on my feet on solid ground.

For a while I was much more careful and avoided the murky mess and I was once again successfully operating our canals. But what is the fun in falling in mud only once? Of course it must happen again and sure enough it did. This time my only chance of getting out was to grab the back of my boots and pull forward. I did, trying not to pull extremely hard so I could avoid another fall. It still wasn’t working very well so I gave a final yank and scream as I ate dirt. I really couldn’t believe it had happened again and Hannah was doubled over laughing and I was weak from it, bringing little help to the situation.

My fall forward did one good thing...it loosened my boots and I was finally able to stand up again. I went about three steps and then Hannah attempted to help by grabbing my shoulder but that ended with me in sitting position once again. I was quite worn out and so just drove through the rest on all fours...right into the smelly ditch of water so I could get some of the thick goop off me...
...and so ends my pathetic saga.

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink ~ Psalm 69: 14a

Lydia

P.S. Rachel came across this bible verse and thought of me...

We have been having extremely wet weather within the last month: Rain, rain, and more rain.

We live on the Wild Rice River in the very south-eastern part of ND; our place is on a loop of the river, which is rising rapidly. I have been watching the water fluctuate the last few weeks, but it never struck me at how high it was getting until I saw sandbags, shovels, and a pile of sand in GB, on my way home from music lessons.

In just a few hours the water has risen many feet (in distance, not depth). It is right up to the chicken coop and I think we will need to evacuate the poor poultry to a drier place. The horses are loosing more of their pasture also.
Dad is down to Tewaukon Dam to see if the people there will hold up some of the water. The people there seem more concerned with wildlife drowning, than the farms down river; our neighbors are quite upset. More rain in the forecast: we’ll see what happens.

A bright note about all the rain: Great reading time!

~R