For our Easter decorations, Deanna made origami Easter lilies. They were such a hit, that we have left them up. There are a few birds and other flowers mixed in as well. Take a good look at the daffodil (third flower from the left). That was so hard to make, Deanna will never make another!

The brakes got so bad on Lee's old bike that we decided for safety's sake, he should get a new one. This is a good sturdy bike and Lee likes it very much. He is also modeling his new rain poncho. Notice how it is specially made to cover whatever he is carrying in his bike basket too. There is a clip inside the poncho that he can attach to the basket so the wind will not blow it around. Summer is the rainy season in Luoyang, and the streets blossom with color as the bike riders don their ponchos on rainy days.

The cherries in China look and taste the same as cherries in America, but they are tiny. Cherries are a special treat here because the season is only 2-3 weeks long. During that time, vendors selling cherries can be found on every street. Then suddenly, early in May, they are gone, and you have to wait til next year to eat them again.

Lee was so happy when the weather got warm enough that the stores started selling fans. He had been without one since we arrived in January. Here you see him assembling this new prized possession.

As the weather heats up, it's also time to change the bedding. The changes include a bamboo mat on the bed, bamboo pillow and a quilt with "air conditioning fibers". The purpose of all of these is to allow air to circulate around your body and keep you cool. Lee uses the bamboo pillow, but Deanna sticks to the old, soft kind. This bed mat is made with bamboo strips, and they also make them with squares of bamboo like the ones Lee's pillow is made from.

In the summer, it is too hot to sleep under our little quilt. However, Lee still uses it to block out some of the noise while he takes a nap. Talk about resting with blessings on your head!

After the peonies are finished blooming, the roses begin. There were some beautiful roses right in the courtyard of our apartment, and I thought how much our daughter Ruth would love to see them. The next best thing is to send you some pictures.

The pink roses in the previous picture grew in clusters on top of very tall bushes. These red and yellow ones grew singly on lower bushes. Together they made a lovely flower bed.

Because we cook with the wok so much, and because the oil will often splatter, we went looking for something to protect Deanna's clothes. Not only did we get an apron, but it also came with sleeve protectors. We have seen people use these in offices as well, to keep their shirt cuffs clean.

Copyright 2004, Dr. Lee Williams

Last Modified: 5 September 2004

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