miramorphacle's Xanga

farewell

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:21:33 GMT

I just wanted to let y'all know that I will no longer be posting on xanga. I don't think it's actually possible to delete one of these so I guess it will still be here, but I'll not be posting here any more.

~Bekah

of fudge and fall foliage

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:50:26 GMT

It's that time of year again...the trees have traded their summer frocks for elegant scarlet robes, trimmed in rich brown velvets and dripping with gold. Daylight has given way to the deep night sky and, though the days still beg for barefeet and sundresses, the evenings call for warm down comforters, and the mornings cry for thick skirts and sweaters.

Virginia's summer skies no longer drip with precipitation...the crisp mornings have become the perfect weather for...

making fudge!

And so I made fudge. Three pounds of rich chocolate fudge. And there's already a pound gone! The baklava ingredients are calling to me. And soon, when the country dons an aura of gratefulness, it will be time to pull out the pizzelle irons.

Ahhh...the joys of autumn and winter baking. Some things simply aren't the same during the warmer seasons.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:17:19 GMT

i need a hug

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:59:06 GMT

Well, as you can see, I didn't get the rest of my journaling done close to as quickly as I would have liked. I am, however, attempting to finish it sometime in the very near future.

Day Eleven
(Wednesday, July 26)

Through a misunderstanding of just what route number we were looking for, we began driving down a familiar route...and realized we were back on our way to the Grand Canyon. At this point we had to decide whether to turn around and go back to the right road, or to drive through Grand Canyon again on a "detour." We chose the detour and stopped at several points along the South Rim that we had missed on our first visit. Then we stopped outside Grand Canyon and Mom looked at Navajo-made jewelry and pottery.

From there we drove. And drove. And drove. We drove through the outskirts of Monument Valley and kept driving. Finally we reached Four Corners but, because of the time difference, the "park" had closed an hour earlier.

So we continued on into Colorado, ate supper, and found a hotel to stay at. We got to bed at a decent hour that night...

Day Twelve
(Thursday, July 27)

...Which was a good thing, because we were up early the next morning. First on the agenda - backtracking to Four Corners. From Four Corners we went to Mesa Verde, which holds hundreds of "cliff dwellings." We entered the park and began to ascend up the 11,000 ft. mountain - without warning. Mom was less than thrilled.

We had to stop a couple times on the way to the top, but we did make it there. The cliff dwellings were amazing. Daddy and Anna ventured down into one of the underground rooms, but Mommy and I opted for staying where we could still see the sun.

We had a late lunch at the Mesa Verda cafe', and then headed to Colorado Springs. Tomorrow would be our official last day of site-seeing.

The journal's almost done. I'll finish it up next time!

(Any opinons on whether or not I should I change my photo to a self-portrait?)

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 22:48:59 GMT

Day Ten
(Tuesday, July 25)

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down,
Falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

Our first stop of July 25 was London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA. Yes, the real London Bridge from London, England. It was worth it to someone to pay 2.5 million to purchase it and 5 million it took to bring it over here and put it back to together, so why not go see it? Sadly, the bridge looked very out of place in Lake Havasu City. But the pigeons seemed quite at home. We tried not to stay too long, since it was so incredibly hot. It had been 119 in Phoenix, but there was no humidity. I can't remember another time in my life that I was so hot and sweaty as I was at London Bridge!

Daddy and I ate lunch in a restaurant overlooking the lake while Mommy and Anna took a boat ride across to California. From Lake Havasu to Havasu Lake.

After London Bridge we headed north and drove, briefly, through Nevada. Our next stop crossed the border, so as we drove across the Hoover Dam, we were back in Arizona. Then we parked the car and walked back to Nevada. I took lots of pictures and we stretched our legs as we read the various markers and monuments. Then back into the car and on our way towards Flagstaff. As we were leaving Hoover Dam property we saw a sign that notified us to be on the lookout for Big Horn Sheep. Just as we rounded the bend there stood one...just like it was waiting for us...right on the top of the mountain. Had it not moved its head we might have kept on thinking it was a statue. It looked so majestic.

Coming up...

Grand Canyon again?

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 22:25:49 GMT

Day Nine
(Monday, July 24)

After a delightful breakfast, getting a little more visit time with the Monks, we left Gilbert and were on our way to Tombstone. We arrived around noontime and walked around the famous town for a little bit, stepped into some of the stores, and visited the site of the Tombstone Epitaph (the newspaper). Then we went to the reenactment. Gunfight at the OK Corral. It was quite a lot of fun. Guns that stuck in the holsters and, when finally pulled free, wouldn't shoot, added to the splendor of the live theatre experience.

Our next stop was Saguaro National Forest. We arrived about half an hour before the visitor center closed and found out that they were doing roadwork and the drive through the forest was closed. However (God's so good!), there was a second "branch" (sorry ) of Saguaro Forest, and the drive was open...though only for about two and a half more hours. We got back in the car and headed off. It took approximately an hour to reach the other site, so we had a little less than two hours to spend wandering about.

It was absolutely amazing. We knew some of the varieties of cacti, but there were so many different types we needed a guide book to identify them all! The saguaro cacti towered above our heads reaching heights upwards of 50 feet, while others grew close to the ground and were covered in blooms. The Lord's creations are truly glorious and creative.

Our hotel stay that night was in Goodyear, Arizona, at a hotel that had a swimming pool that we were able to utilize! Daddy and Anna swam while I cautiously waded in...my first time in a pool in about six years. I gave learning to swim another try, but it just didn't work. So I stuck with ballet warm-ups. The water resists grand battements, ronde jambes, and changements very nicely.

I know the "journal" has been slow in being posted, but if y'all are still interested in hearing about the trip, I'll try and finish it up in the next week.

Monday, August 21, 2006

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:03:56 GMT

Day Five
(Thursday, July 20)

We made to stops on our way from Flagstaff to Phoenix. One was a short walk/photo excursion in Slide Rock State Park. What gorgeous scenery! Our second stop was longer, since we had to eat. This stop was in Sedona. Great big red rocks loomed around the tiny tourist village. It was a beautiful town, but so devoid of any godliness. A place seeped in new-age practices. However, the creativity and artistry spilled over from the shops and galleries and made it a truly lovely place to rest, though I wouldn't have wanted to stay long.

We reached Phoenix in the early evening and were able to settle into the Hyatt before heading to the speaker dinner (to which Anna and I had also been invited). Mom and Dad visited with the other speakers/speaker spouses and AFHE board members, and Anna and I got to meet the oldest Monk girls, as well as some of the other AFHE kids.

Days Six, Seven, and Eight
(Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 21-23)

Convention. Mom spoke at seven of the eight sessions, so I ran our booth, which was actually in the AFHE booth. This gave me a great opportunity to meet various members of of the AFHE board, since they all took turns mannng their booth during the two days. I had some wonderful conversations about homeschooling, drama, dance, high school, etc. It was wonderful.

(And just in case you're reading this, Donna - I met Asher. )

Each of us ('cept Daddy) got to ride a bicycle rickshaw either to or from the convention center, since we had so much stuff to carry at various times. We had the same "driver" both times - a homeschool graduate who grew up as an MK in Russia. Very sweet lady.

On Friday night Daddy took Anna to see a Diamondbacks game while Mom and I stayed at the hotel and ate pizza. We were the envy of everyone in the lobby and the elevator. On Saturday night we went out to a Mexican restaurant with Mr. and Mrs.Snavely. About half-way through dinner I noticed a movement under the corner booth and turned my head to see a mouse. It was soon joined by a second mouseling and they scurried and scampered about the floor. We were all very amused and entertained - they looked like they were having so much fun! But we decided we probably shouldn't laugh too hard and draw attention to them - the other diners might not appreciate it.

Back to the hotel and into bed. No convention on Sunday, so we slept in! In the afternoon we went to one of Phoenix's 15 Wal-Marts. And looked for swimsuits again. This time I actually found one modest enough that fit. Then we drove to the Monk's house. They had invited us to have supper with them and stay the night. Almost all of the conversation was convention-related. It's amazing how long it's possible to go over that subject when a convention has literally just ended!

Next post...The OK Corral.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:12:01 GMT

ribbons of salty crystal liquid
weave through kiss-stained veins
lifesource drips from lidded windows
of the soul
sinking into the crusty earth
disappear forever

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 19:09:37 GMT

For those of you who are beginning to think that we never made it past Day Three...I give you...Day Four:

Day Four
(Wednesday, July 19)

We were up bright and early and on our way into Arizona. Our first stop was the Petrified Forest, which is part of the Painted Desert. We watched a video about the evolutionary process that created the petrified wood, and got to visit the paleontologist's lab and hear his evolutionary explanations as well. The Flood really does make more sense.

We spent a couple hours driving through the 20-something miles of desert that was part of the park, stopping to take pictures, and to walk through the pueblo made of petrified wood that was originally an inn, and later covered with adobe and turned into a gift-shop/museum. The Rainbow Forest, at the end of the drive, was one of the best parts. The gigantic hunks of petrified logs contrasted with the tiny pieces of "mulch" that they laid upon. Everywhere, as far as one could see in any direction, were pieces of trees turned to stone. Each was distinctly unique and exquisitely beautiful - laced with every color imaginable.

And yes, I do have pictures.

After we left the Painted Desert we drove to Flagstaff, checked into our hotel, and headed through the mountains towards Grand Canyon. Breathtaking. Awe-inspiring. Magnificent. I've heard many descriptions of the Grand Canyon. But there's not much that can prepare a person for their first glimpse of this piece of God's creation. It's so vast.

We were able to spend several hours at the Grand Canyon, viewing it from several points. In addition to the magnificence of the canyon, we also saw chipmunks, hummingbirds, California condors, and other creatures. We stayed on the cliffs till sunset, then, on the bus ride back to the parking area (and restaurant!) we saw an elk. The driver stopped the bus and there was the bull elk - right next to mine and Anna's window, looking us straight in the eyes.

On the way back to Flagstaff from Grand Canyon, we saw more elk, as well as a kit fox. "My, what big ears you have!"

And that, my friends, was our first day in Arizona.

Monday, July 31, 2006

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 01:31:03 GMT

Day Two
(Monday, July 17)

I awoke early (with a little help from someone who actually woke up when the alarm went off) with the anticipation of seeing Melissa. I had a short, but wonderful visit with both her and her friend Jenny, while we breakfasted at Shoney's. Then we bid each other adieu and went our separate ways.

My way - back in the car and headed for Oklahoma.

But first, a four-hour stop in West Memphis, Tennessee.

It wasn't in the plans to stop in West Memphis. And certainly not for four hours. But apparently the fuel filter hadn't been the problem. It was the fuel pump. And so on day two of our adventure, it was replaced.

We arrived in Oklahoma City much later than planned - therefore postponing our dinner with the Bennetts till breakfast the next day.

Day Three
(Tuesday, July 18)

Breakfast with the Bennetts.

Lexi was visiting her dad, but we were able to meet Hannah. And of course, we also got to see Cody, Dylan, and Morgan, whom we haven't seen in a very LONG time. (Nieces and nephews of ours.) Sheri had to go to work, but Daniel and the kids stuck around for awhile longer and we all chatted. It was a wonderful visit.

Next stop - Gallup, New Mexico. No more car troubles, so we were able to get there at a reasonable hour. But of course, Mommy had the Wal-Mart road atlas, and there is a Wal-Mart in Gallup. So we went. We looked for swimsuits. We found none suitable. We returned to the hotel. And we slept.

More to come.