Farmer Bill

Today was a WONDERFUL day.

I got to learn a bit more about a few residents...things that I need to know before really getting into work with them. I'm learning, now, what it means to be a staff person at Yeldall. It's funny, because I live here 24/7, and it's difficult not to create relationships with some of these guys, but it's also difficult because, sooner or later, I'll have to start issuing chits (or notices of infringement...when one of the residents does something against policy). I'm going to feel like an resident assistant again. This is like being a resident assistant after a few lattes, I'm sure.

I find it more and more difficult to speak American, but I don't want to speak English because I don't want the staff and residents to think that I'm being a poser or something. I want to be genuine, but I'm genuinely confused as to how to speak and what words I should use. I'm using certain words because it's easier for the people here to understand me if I use their language. It's weird when I talk, though, because I'm speaking with an American accent...and I haven't heard an American accent for some time now.

Today was a work day...my first. There was a morning staff meeting, then the staff divided up and went to there respective places. I went to the allotment (the garden, which is quite nice!) and started picking tomatoes and cucumbers and leeks (by the way, I LOVE leeks!). I also did a bit of weeding. There were two tea breaks and lunch. Lunch was what everyone first thinks of when they think of England--FISH AND CHIPS. Here's the funny thing about English fish: they kept the skin on the fish. Not a big deal, though. you just eat it with the rest of what's there. No problem. It was fried, and there were chips as well. I put vinegar on the fish, of course, as one should do when they eat fish and chips. It's proper to do so...and you can't do it any other way. Oh, and FRESH PICKED blackberries and plums. Both were picked earlier that day by another volunteer, who started the same day I did.

SO my computer just shut down all by itself, and I don't really know why. I'm hoping that it doesn't happen again. I had a train of thought going, but I suddenly have no idea what I was talking about.

I just had dinner. It was delicious...AGAIN! A sort of beef pie with carrots, cabbage, green beans, and mashed potatoes (ALL of the vegitables were from the allotment), and for pudding (dessert), we had a delicious sponge cake with custard. There was also an apple and rhubarb crumble (it's like a pie), but I didn't have the room in my belly for it. I had to go without, sadly.

Folks, I would like to ask that you keep two people in your prayers. I'm going to give them nicknames because I think that's important, but God knows EXACTLY who these folks are: Mikey and Donny. I mean, EVERYONE here needs prayer for some reason or other (staff and volunteers included in that), but these two especially are on my heart right now. I won't go into reasons because, again, God knows the issues.

Alright. I would love to have another book by Augusten Burroughs to read, but I sadly do not. "A Wolf At The Table" was terribly sad, but it was also a wonderful read...wonderfully written. There's a bit of hope in Mr. Burrough's story. I think I'd like to read "Running With Scissors" next....

CHEERS!