Your First Job: Do's And Don'ts

by: Hetty King

                                                              When a child reaches a certain age, he might be looking for a job so that he can earn some of his own money to spend on whatever he pleases. That job may vary from odd chores here and there to a delivery service, or a bit of hotel work to babysitting. But whatever the job, here are a few important pointers that you should follow closely.

1. When you are looking into a particular job, always consider whether or not you are able to handle it. For example, if a boy is 11 years old, he may not wish to work 8 hours a day at the local cannery. It would be better for him to work some shifts at the general store or pick apples in the fall.
2. If you will be working for a boss, never mention your pay at an interview; it looks very rude. Dress properly for the interview; it could be that he may not want to hire you if you arrive in your dirty coveralls and fishing boots. Be honest; a liar never progresses in life. 
3. When around your co-workers, please don't argue with them. Yes, they may be difficult to get along with, but you, being raised a good child, should know better than to start fights.
4. And don't ever get into a quarrel with your boss; always honor and obey him. If not, it could cost you your job.
5. Always do your best!

Reflections From a Summer Past

 

"The golden rods, filled with butterflies and honey bees, cover the rolling hills and the crests of sandy cliffs. The queen Anne's lace adorn every un-mowed field, with black-eyed-Susans scattered along the red dirt roads. Sea gulls fly over yonder, screeching to each other from above the pine trees. It is sunny and warm, spring has passed, and summer has come to Avonlea."
                         


 "I will never forget the days of my youth. When the waves rippled between my toes, taking the pink and silver grains of sand back out to the depths of the sea. There was a peace then; an indescribable feeling of immortality in the ebb and flow of the tide, and the seemingly endless stretch of beach and sky. Now as I gaze upon those same sparkling waters, I realize that youth is never left behind, but is carried always, gently, in the heart. " - Hetty King             

                                                                                                                                                                             "This strangely still pause between summer and autumn, greenery and gold, and the heat and rising wind that is once again readying itself to  scuttle all away in a climactic symphony of color and scent- in my opinion, is one of the greatest, yet saddest, things of summer."
                                                                                 

"It was sunsets that taught me that beauty sometimes only lasts for a couple of moments, and it was sunrises that showed me that all it takes is patience to experience it all over again."



"It is incredibly amazing how at every sunset, the sky is a different shade. No cloud is ever in the same place. Each day is a new masterpiece. And every day is a gift from God."

Winter Riding

by: Sara Stanley

"Snow has set in. It is cold and the farm horses have been put in their stalls for the winter after the hard summer work in the fields. They are relieved to rest the winter months in a warm barn, munching contentedly on their hay.
But, there is another type of horse that doesn't seem to be kept inside all winter; and that is your horse, the pampered baby. He is impatient in his stall, wanting to gallop off into the winter world, the cold not penetrating through his thick coat and his breath like blowing steam from his nostrils. The snowy fields are beckoning to him, and here he is stuck in his stall, his hay not touched and his water in the bucket has a sheet of ice on it.

The moment that his owner, with pockets filled with treats and goodies, comes up to him, he nickers and sniffs the pockets, feeling for a bulgy apple. He loves nothing more than the mittened hand and peppermint bits touching his lips. While still munching on his peppermint, he is led out of his stall and saddled up- ready for a brisk winter run. You heave yourself onto the saddle, bundle up your scarf, pull the hat over your ears, pick up the reigns and urge your horse into a trot. Immediately the horse perks up its ears, excited to feel the chilly wind whip through his mane once again. When the moment is right, you ask him for the canter. The three gait sound of hooves thumping and swooshing gently through the snow makes your muscles relax, and your heart to pound slower from the excitement of the ride. You ride over a hill, towards the frozen sea, and stop your horse before the edge of a red, sandstone cliff. You sit there a moment, just listening to the quietness of the day.

Before darkness settles in, as it gets dark early now, you gallop towards home. As you reach the last snowy field, you slow the horse into a canter, then a trot, and lastly a walk. You take your time to reach the barnyard, and enjoy the homey scenery of chickens scratching around, some spilled hay here and there, and the red sleigh parked near the entrance way of the barn. You dismount, pat the horse on the shoulder and lead him into the barn, and into his stall. After a good brushing and covering him with his blanket, you break the ice in his water bucket and fluff up his hay. Then, after giving him his apple for being a "good boy", the stall door clicks shut, and you head off towards the farm house, as supper is waiting. Back in the barn, the farm horses drift one by one into a dreamless sleep, while your horse gazes out the window, watching the snowflakes fall and eagerly anticipating the next wintery ride."

Journaling: a young woman's account of daily doings

by: Hetty King

Keeping a journal or a diary is something that is really special and important to young women.
Not only is a journal a safe place to record your most inner thoughts and secrets, it is also a perfect place to write down your daily doings and growth in the Lord, most importantly.
Later in life, the writer can go back and read what she has done in her teen years, what she did to serve the Lord or what fun things she wanted to remember and cherish forever.
Whether she writes about her latest "beau" or what other juicy bit of news she comes across, it is all recorded in her little book.
It isn't wise to write about frivolous things, as the ones stated above, because later in life you are going to regret that you only wrote about the useless things in life that at the time seemed to be the most important thing to you.
Write about the precious, daily family life that seems to scuttle away in the blink of an eye. Before you know it your a mother of your own and wishing that you had enjoyed your childhood/teenage years a little bit more.
Write about the memories you have made that you never want to forget. Write about what the Lord has been doing in your life. Write about your struggles and how you overcame them.
Write about the ones that influenced you to do something that made you what you are today. Write about life's journey- you will one day see where it has taken you.
When you take the time to sit down and pull out your journal and pen, and write about your daily doings, it will one day be cherished by your own children, who then pass it down. Wouldn't it be a shame if you had only written about frivolous things- so useless and wasteful! Wouldn't it be much better to write encouraging and uplifting things so that the next generation may read what you have written, and learn from your life?
It's what we always should be doing- encouraging others and lifting them up. Maybe through your journal or diary you can do that.

November Days

by: Sara Stanley, Felicity King, Felix King, Cecily King, and Gus Pike



Ah, here we are again! All of the signs show of November- the bare trees, frigid temperatures, cold, brisk winds that make you want to stay inside and read a good book, the furry horses, and the first snow flurries.    ~Sara, 14

Felicity

But that's not all, Sara dear. It also means dressing up in the latest fashions, trying on skates, cozy, pre-winter baking, and sewing socials. Not to mention preparing for winter that will soon be on our doorstep!  ~Felicity, 15

Felix

                                                    Remember, you can catch the last of the autumn trout before they head south for the winter! ~Felix, 13

Cecily

It is most fun to curl up in the hayloft with your siblings and friends and the cats and Digger, too! Gathering the eggs wearing mittens, hats and scarves is really fun, too!
   ~Cecily, 11

Gus Pike

                                                     Before ya stow away yer fishin' nets fer the winter, ya had better get'm patched up fer spring. That row boat a'yers oughta be waxed nice an' thick before winter sets in. No use havin' a rusty, leaky, pair o' planks come spring, eh?   
 ~Gus Pike, 16





(ps. Don't believe what Felix just said about the trout heading south- it's a myth! ~Felicity)

The Avonlea Chronicle

by: Olivia Dale, editor

Today is November 11th, 1923, five years after the War.
Remembrance Day is celebrated throughout the nation, as we honor and remember the soldiers who risked and surrendered their lives for our freedom.  Many boys in our own little community of Avonlea also fought against the raging Germans, many of them never returned home, others did, with heroic or tragic stories to bring back home to their loved ones. Life has returned to normal now in Canada after the war overseas, however, it is nearly impossible to forget the struggles we have been through.

The pupils of the Avonlea School will recite the poem, In Flanders' Fields by Lt. Col. John McCrae at the Avonlea General Store next Monday, at 3pm.
There will also be a remembrance service at the Avonlea Presbyterian Church this Sunday. Poppies will be sold by the Avonlea School pupils, and the money raised will go to soldiers injured in the war. Lest we forget...

Delicious & Moist Chocolate Cake

by: Felicity King


This fantabulous chocolate cake is light and fluffy, moist, and very easy to make. It will definitely be a winner with your guests at afternoon teas or church socials.

             Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cups cocoa
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup hot, very strong coffee

Mix and blend all dry ingredients together, except for sugar. Cream sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk until blended. Gradually add the dry ingredients.
Add the hot coffee by pouring a slow stream against the inside of the bowl while mixing.
Batter will be thin.
Pour in a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40-45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

 Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk (plus extra for thinning)

Mix cocoa and sugar in a bowl. In another bowl, cream the butter. Gradually add the cocoa and sugar mixture to the creamed butter, alternately, with the half cup of milk until blended. Carefully add very small amounts of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached. Cream well in between each addition of milk.
Frost on cooled cake. Serve in generous helpings to your guests. :-)