An Interview With Beka

Here is Beka's interview. When I called her into my room to do this a few weeks ago (I really worked ahead on these) she came in carrying her knitting. She settled herself on my hope-chest, began to knit, and with characteristic Beka-ness answered the questions. This interview is Beka all over. I hope you like it.

1: How old are you?

I am 15.

2: What grade are you in?

I'm in 10th.

3: What is your favorite food?

Egg rolls.

4: What is your favorite color?

The colors of the sea.

5: What is your favorite subject in school?

History.

Beka got a hands-on construction class this summer as we replaced the roof on our house! Here she is fastening down a board or two. Photo by me.

6: What do you like best about our family?

The unexpectedness of every day. You never know just what is going to happen.

7: Describe your normal day.

I get up at 7:00. I usually go and lie on Matthew's bed and sleep with Buddy until I wake up! Then I get dressed and eat breakfast. Then sometimes I'll go and do school for a while, or I'll clean the house. Around 9:00 I make bread, tidy the house again, practice, and then start making lunch. That usually fills up my morning. After lunch we have devotions, do dishes, and then have break time for a little while. Then I spend all the rest of my afternoon doing school. After supper, I usually sit around in Matthew's room and read. I usually go to bed at 9:15.

8: What jobs do you have around the house?

Cooking, mainly. Rachel makes breakfast, but I make bread for supper and usually take care of lunch preparations. I also help out with laundry, house cleaning, and occasionally farm work. That's it.

9: Do you have a pet?

I don't own a pet myself, but Buddy is kind of half my dog because when he was a puppy Matthew was gone nearly all the time so I had to train him.

10: What do you like least about our family?

I like least doing dishes after I've spent all morning baking a big lunch.

Beka making a pie. Photo by Mom.

11: Which season is your favorite and why?

That's a hard one. Fall, because it's a nice time of year when the garden is winding down, and the weather is beautiful, and there is usually some time to play outside in the afternoon.

12: What is your favorite animal and why?

I like all kinds of animals so I don't really know. I like dogs, cows, and sheep. I like sheep because I like to work with the lambs. I don't know why I like cows but I do. And I like dogs because they are fun. Lots of fun.

13: What is your favorite thing to do and why?

I think my favorite thing would have to be walking in old, quiet cemeteries. It is usually very quiet and peaceful, and it is interesting to look at all the inscriptions on the stones.

14: What is your favorite book and movie?

My favorite book is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. My favorite movie is 'What The Deaf Man Heard'.

15: Do you have a hobby, and if so, what is it?

I don't really have a hobby.

16: If you could own any animal, what would it be and why?

I can't decide between an ostrich and a zebra. Zebras look and sound funny, and ostriches are downright strange!

Every year, we all pitch in to help Matthew do up and sell his numerous homegrown turkeys. Beka generally has the washing and packaging part of the job. Photo by me.

17: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

I'd like to go to the Middle East and see some of what's happening there.

18: What do you want to be when you grow up and why?

I don't know what I want to do when I graduate from college. I will be taking music in college.

19: What is your favorite holiday and why?

I think it would have to be Thanksgiving, because it has such a rich heritage.

20: Anything you would like to say to my readers in closing?

I hope that you'll all write Rachel and tell her what you thought about these interviews, and also send in some of your own questions about our family, that she could use in an article. She is always looking for ideas to write about.

The Weekly Bible Verse

Ephesians 5:19-20: ...Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bits and Pieces

Timmy had his birthday this week, proudly and excitedly turning eleven years old. For weeks he had been counting the days. "39 days until my birthday, everyone!" I was counting days too, as it was, once more, my job to come up with and make a birthday cake. Timmy, after much discussion, decided he wanted an airplane cake. I went online with him and we looked around. He hit on a very neat Hot Rod airplane that he wanted me to make. It looked easy enough, so I consented. However, on the day before his birthday as I was beginning to cut up the sheet cake I had baked, he walked over and looked at the picture of the Hot Rod airplane I had printed out.
"Oh, I didn't want that one," he said, "I wanted this one." He quickly scribbled a sketch for me. It looked like a Blue Angel airplane. I agreed to make that one instead, and with a few minor adjustments, cut up the cake, assembled it with much laughter and many mistakes, and then put it in the freezer until the next day.

I got up early to start working on the cake. Beka soon joined me and we mixed icing, got out decorating bags, and tried to be quiet because the rest of the household was still sleeping. Matthew came to watch as we piped icing onto the cake. It took a while, but when we were done we thought it looked nice. It was a blue-and-yellow airplane, but not like any Blue Angel I've ever seen. Timmy, however, loved it and was very excited when he got up and saw it on the table. It was a hit.

Timmy's llth birthday cake. We called his cake the 'T-11'. Photo by me.

The day before I had made a giant airplane card, complete with numerous airplanes I printed out, and everyone had signed it. On the birthday morning, Mom walked in my room with crepe paper and told me I could decorate if I wanted too. So, I got started and soon our dining room was looking very party-ish. I taped a few more airplanes onto the crepe paper and our party was all set.

We ate cake, ice cream, and taco salad for the birthday lunch. Afterwards, we opened presents. Timmy received a kit to make a model ship, too much candy, a chisel, and a little flashlight. He was thrilled with it all and is happily launched for another year.

A Word About The Weather

It has remained cold this week, with some snow and lots of wind. We are pretty warm and snug most of the time, and keep busy around the house. Everybody does lots of school, as the weather keeps us inside and spring is on the horizon. The only time most of us get outside is our daily walk, taken with much shivering and teeth chattering.

A Word of Wisdom

If you don't know what to say, don't say anything. (This was kindly offered by Matthew.)