The Light Is Always There

"Even in the darkest of nights, the sun does not cease to radiate its light. It continues to shine as bright as ever. But half of the earth is in darkness.

The absence of light causes darkness.

When the darkness of night falls, we do not despair and worry that the sun is extinguished. We do not postulate that the sun is not there or is dead. We understand that we are in a shadow, that the earth will continue to rotate, and that eventually the rays of the sun will reach us once again.

Darkness is not an indication that there is no light. Most often, it simply means we’re not in the right place to receive the light.

Spiritual light continually shines upon all of God’s creation.

It is up to us to be in the right place to see the divine light and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even when night has fallen and the world seems dark, we can choose to walk in Christ’s light, keep His commandments, and courageously testify of His reality and His greatness." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf) 

Kirkland On An Almost Summer Evening

One of our young visitors observed, "Kirkland is a happy place!" 

Indeed it is. Especially on a sunny evening.

George's has been a Kirkland institution since 1976. Last summer it installed "garage door" windows that are raised when the weather is good. Many Kirkland restaurants have similar arrangements. This night musicians were playing at the restaurant and the music carried through the streets.

 The lake just sparkles - gorgeous!

Musicians often perform informally in the park

Park Lane is alive with activity & outdoor diners

Park Lane is an award-winning, beautiful street

Kirkland is indeed a happy place!

Happy Father's Day

3 generations of Todd fathers - ca 1938

Joseph Robertson, Joseph Hall & Joseph Clinton

ca 1953

My father & siblings

October 1954

December 1955

Grow

 I am inspired by plants that grow in difficult circumstances

We can too!

Ducks

When I went to the grocery recently I noticed these two ducks comfortably settled in not far from the front door. Our former neighbor Carl works at the store and was doing some outside tasks. He told me about the ducks. 

He said a pair of ducks come every year. (Wonder if it’s the pair that always built a nest at the nearby independent bookstore that was torn down for the new construction.) This year the female came back with a different male. The original male later joined the pair. Sometimes the males fight and the female leaves. The female isn’t around much Carl said. I suggested she might have babies somewhere. Carl said the two males get along OK when she’s not there.

I think the ducks might be pretty comfortable - they had water in the bowls and grain scattered on the concrete. The lake is only two blocks away.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

June 10, 1976

Sunsets

Reflections

 The lake offers many opportunities to reflect.

It's a good place to ponder

Nature Inspires Me

These rhododendron were growing to the top of the windows. They were huge bushes. Someone decided they needed to be cut back - severely. Yet they continue to bloom. Beautifully. 

The lesson I take from this - we can experience massive challenges in our lives. We still have the ability to continue growing and blooming. 

Beauty can come out of the hard times. 

Kirkland's History

Matt McCauley, local historian, discussed Kirkland's history 

as he led us through Kirkland's cemetery

Read about an earlier cemetery tour here

Many nationalities are represented in the cemetery

Kirkland's Louie Todd & his story

"Many residents walking down Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street might not know of a murder that took place on those streets in the 1930s, or that the killer walked away scot-free. Harry H. Loy, who worked at the local drug store located at the corner, suspected Louis “Louie” Todd, owner of the Todd Feed Store on Park Lane, of having an affair with his wife. When Todd was seen on the street, the jealous husband confronted him and got into an argument. Despite Todd adamantly denying anything was going on, Loy pulled out a gun and shot him dead.

Although Loy was disarmed by the town marshal, arrested and charged for the murder in a King County court, when the case finally went to trial, the jury shared his suspicions. Enough doubt was cast on the possibility of an affair, McCauley said, the jury acquitted him." (Kirkland Reporter)

Not long ago Kirkland's Heritage Society placed a marker on Todd's previously unmarked grave. This slab of concrete came from Kirkland's tennis courts. Todd was instrumental in promoting and raising funds for the tennis courts. 

More on McCauley here

Pink Petal Dust

Pink petal dust is beautiful

Have you ever stood under a tree on a breezy Spring day 

and been surrounded by falling petals? Magic!