He's Always There

Just because I can't see Mount Rainier doesn't mean it's not there. 

Sometimes clouds get in the way.  

These pictures are taken from approximately 

the same place at Denny Park in Kirkland. 

God is always there for us. Sometimes we don't see, hear or feel Him because of the "clouds" in our lives. One of life's many challenges is to live in such a way that we can have experiences that let us KNOW He's there with outstretched arms and love for us. On the days the clouds obscure the view we can feel peace and love based on the times the view has been clear. 

Quick Ohio Visit

Recently I made a quick trip back to Ohio to see my siblings and their families. 

It was precious, precious time together. 

Siblings - We have one more sister in the Boston area

Each evening we talked late into the night. The evenings were cool. 

I enjoyed the sound of the locusts. The almost full moon gave us beautiful light. 

The only thing missing were fireflies. Our summer evenings in Kirkland are not lit up by fireflies and we aren't serenaded by locusts or cicadas - just doesn't feel or sound like summer!

We have been friends since 3rd grade 

We took an early morning walk on the farm - beautiful & very peaceful

The dog bounded into the garden and emerged with a ball (tiny watermelon). 

The day before he brought out a cantaloupe - a garden full of balls!

The best tasting tomatoes I've had in decades. They were something "pink" and were heirloom tomatoes. We had them for dinner, breakfast, and lunch! Full size tomatoes don't ripen on our side of the Cascades - there aren't enough hot days for the tomatoes to ripen. Cherry tomatoes - maybe. 

March 1970 - Michael and I in front of our "new" house on Harvest Street

Harvest Street in August 2013

Kiteboarding

O.O. Denny is one of our favorite parks in Kirkland. We frequently see kiteboarders (or kitesurfers) in this part of Lake Washington. One evening we saw the set up and "launch" for the first time. It was fascinating to watch. The man on the far left was the kiteboarder. There were an amazing number of lines that needed to be just right. 

Oops - let's try this again

kiteboarder is almost out of the water

It must take an amazing amount of strength and agility to manage the kite and stay on the board. This man did somersaults, lifting himself and his body high out of the water. 

Off he goes!

Parks & Food

Kirkland has an abundance of wonderful parks, many of them on Lake Washington. Most of the parks have at least one sculpture. David Brink Park is a small, beautiful park.

Houghton Beach Park is right across the street from this Kidd Valley

 Sometimes we eat at Kidd Valley and enjoy the view across the street. 

Other times we take our food to the park. We've discovered that their 3 piece fish and chips dinner is more than enough for the two of us. 

Kidd Valley is known for garlic fries

Chunks of garlic are liberally scattered throughout the fries

Sunset view from Kidd Valley - aren't the mountains amazing? 

These are the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula. 

Kayaker in the sunset

One evening there was an accident on the road between Kidd Valley and Houghton Beach Park. This police boat came to be of assistance. 

This is the narrow end of Houghton Beach Park. 

Marina Park, not far from where we live. 

There were sailing lessons at the beach on this day. 

Padria at Juanita (which is part of Kirkland) is one of our favorite places to eat.  The family that owns the place is very nice. The food is delicious and plentiful. One lamb gyro plate for the two of us has enough leftovers for dinner the next night. 

We usually show pictures of the water. 

Not far out of town, there are many parks with beautiful woods and creeks. This was taken at OO Denny Park; just a few minutes' walk from Lake Washington.

Preparing For Service

Abundant lives are full of teaching and learning. We need to learn all we can so we can be used by the Lord to accomplish His work. We never know what opportunities will present themselves. Whenever I read the following scripture, I think of Joe and how his lifetime of learning prepared him to serve the Lord on our mission. He was inexplicably invited to be part of the "Lunch Bunch" and meet weekly with the Bahamas' leading clergymen, politicians, and businessmen. Many in this group were initially antagonistic towards The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joe's life experiences, and the wisdom gained, served him - and the Lord - well. 

"And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; 

"Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms —

"That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you."  Doctrine and Covenants  88:77–80

Book - American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America

American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America

by Colin Woodard

According to award-winning journalist and historian Colin Woodard, North America is made up of eleven distinct nations, each with its own unique historical roots. In American Nations he takes readers on a journey through the history of our fractured continent, offering a revolutionary and revelatory take on American identity, and how the conflicts between them have shaped our past and continue to mold our future. From the Deep South to the Far West, to Yankeedom to El Norte, Woodard reveals how each region continues to uphold its distinguishing ideals and identities today, with results that can be seen in the composition of the U.S. Congress or on the county-by-county election maps of presidential elections.

image & summary from goodreads.com 

I would have loved history in high school if Mrs. Stickel had used information like this! I enjoy reading books that explain the people and events that shaped the development of our country. I find them extra fascinating when there are clues about how and why our ancestors came here and settled when and where they did. 

I would put this book on my required reading list for American history. It would go on the shelf with Cokie Roberts' “Founding Mothers - The Women Who Raised Our Nation.” Roberts points out that the fight for independence involved the whole family, not just the men who usually get the limelight. :) 

Woodward mentions “Albion’s Seed: Four British Folkways in America” by David Hackett Fischer. I read that decades ago when a friend mentioned it in a conversation about genealogy. 

I enjoyed reading reviews on goodreads.com to see what people had to say about where Woodard got it right and where it didn’t. I can't recommend this as a page turner. But I do recommend it as a good source of information about our development as a country. There's much food for thought about the current state of affairs in this country - and how it came to this point. 

Cats

Mom and Dad often shared their laps and reading time with cats. 

These pictures (and many more of cats) were taken in December 1983. 

Mom wrote under this picture "COLD!"

Next to this picture Mom wrote 

"'The Stray' finally named Xenia"

Three cats on Bill's & Mary's bed

In the Holton household you never knew where you'd find a cat. 

P.S. With all these cats - I don't remember being covered in cat hair after a visit with Mom and Dad. Mom managed somehow to keep things very clean even with all the cats and a collie named Julius. 

And Then It's Winter

Joe's Home Teaching Message for August

Day to day living in these times can be very trying, confusing, and discouraging and sometimes very scary. Sometimes it’s like paddling your rowboat toward a distant lighthouse in a severe storm with the water splashing over the sides.

And Then It’s Winter

“You know . . . Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.. .”

“But, here it is ... The winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. . .”

“But, here it is ... Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. . . "Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.”  (circulated on the Internet; unknown author)

"Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou art my hope, O Lord God…"  Psalm 71: 4-5

Two thoughts come to my mind – the hymn “Be Still My Soul” – “The Lord is on thy side” as long as I try to stay on His side.

And the hymn, “I Am a Child of God” -  “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday."  I Am a Child of God.