Anacortes

 Anacortes, Washington is a beautiful place

San Juan Islands in the distance

Beauty Seen & Felt

RoozenGaarde - 500 acres of daffodils, 350 acres of tulips, 15 acres of greenhouses

It is the largest tulip and daffodil bulb producer in the US (source)

The beauty can been seen and felt

The three acre "show garden is planted with around three hundred thousand spring-flowering bulbs"  (more here)

Click on an image to see all images in a larger size

Grape hyacinths create purple rivers through various gardens

Some of the tulips seemed to have an inner glow

It's difficult to capture in a picture but it's very special to see

This tree always sprouts tulips in its limbs

Bloom where you are planted

"12" & Seattle Seahawks logo

University of Washington - purple & gold

Some of the tulips looked like peonies

These petals looked waxy and translucent

combinations of orange, yellow, and red

RoozenGaarde is the largest, but not the only, bulb producer in Skagit County. About 2,000 acres of tulips and daffodils are grown and sold for both cut flowers and bulbs throughout the United States and Canada. About 20 million bulbs are harvested each summer. 

Click the arrow for a YouTube video - flying over the tulip fields

 Learn more about tulips and Skagit Valley here

Trust in the Lord

 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."  Proverbs 3: 5

This phrase has gone through my heart and mind often the last few weeks. It usually comes when I'm wondering how something is going to work out or how I should handle a situation. It comes when I'm "leaning to [my] own understanding," when I'm trying to figure something out and don't see a viable solution. 

Most of the time, the Lord sends someone or something to address the situation. Sometimes it's right away, other times it's not so quickly. It's happened often enough that I'm learning what it means to trust in the Lord. 

Questions

 

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little this mystery everyday. Never lose a holy curiosity."            Albert Einstein

image pixabay

More Around Town

  The Cross Kirkland Corridor is a 5.75 mile corridor through Kirkland - rails to trails 

This mural is underneath 85th Street. DKoy Wagoner created an interactive mural. He invited community to write on the wall with answers to "What is love?", "What is Happiness?", "What is family?", "What is beauty?" Read more here. The goldfinch is Washington's state bird. 

The Spikes sculpture was made from railroad spikes collected from the railroad that used to run along the corridor. Sculpture was created by artist Merrily Dicks 

Read more here 

Cranes have marked Kirkland's skyline for several years. 

Monkey puzzle tree on the right

I like the way the flag is positioned

 between the cranes and in the cloud

Opportunities - Limitless & Perishable

 "...  our opportunities to love and give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. Today there are hearts to gladden, kind words to say, deeds to be done, and souls to be saved."  Thomas Monson

Where and to whom do we give our hearts, our time, our service?

So many choices, so many opportunities. 

Around Town

Watts Up Dock

Play Ball!

This is indeed a beautiful place!

 

Helping Each Other

 

From our experience in Anacortes, Washington October 2012 - We headed for Mount Erie. I’d read online that there were great views from the top of this mountain. Our map gave us just a general idea of where we were going. We couldn’t find the street we were to turn on and ended up driving around the area several times. The first man we asked for directions wasn’t from there and didn’t know the streets. On another go around we asked a woman. She told us exactly where to turn. 

The turn off to the mountain lead to a narrow paved road that went around and around and around - finally we arrived at the top of the mountain. The two main viewing platforms overlooked an oil refinery - not the most beautiful sight - plus the pine trees had grown so tall and thick that you could barely see the water. The Internet article I found earlier mentioned this not so beautiful overlook and said there was a better view from a path near the radio tower. It’s a good thing we knew that because the view was spectacular - and the path looked like it led to the radio tower and not an overlook. 

When we were at the first overlook we talked with a couple and told them about the other overlook. After we discovered the path, we went back to tell them where it was. They asked if we’d gone to Washington Park in Anacortes and told us about the beautiful sights on the loop road. The view was outstanding - so much water and so many islands.

We can help each other navigate our journeys here on earth by sharing the good news about finding the right path and beautiful views along the way. 

Coaching

While watching boys play soccer, I had an insight. Many adults were shouting warnings, directions, and encouragement to boys on both teams. 

Not that way! Go this way! Way to go! Are you paying attention? Watch out! Ammon go there! Watch the ball! 

I thought of the people on the other side of the veil who are watching us as we journey through earth life. I’m sure there are lots of warnings, encouragements, directions, and so forth directed our way. 

Do we keep ourselves in tune so we can hear or feel this help from the other side? Or are we like some of the boys on the field - aimlessly and sometimes cluelessly following the pack or daydreaming about other things, forgetting that there’s a purpose and goal to this life?

image October 2012

Be God's Kindness

 “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” Mother Teresa 

Easter

  

At this Easter Season, we gratefully commemorate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We joyfully proclaim and solemnly testify that because of Jesus Christ, we will all live again.

Central to God’s eternal plan is the mission of His Son, Jesus Christ. He came to redeem God’s children. Through the Savior’s Atonement, resurrection and immortality became a reality for all and eternal life became a possibility for all who would qualify. Jesus declared:

 

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25–26)

 

Thanks be to God for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and for His gift of resurrection! 

 

President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, 

Dallin H. Oaks & Henry B. Eyring, March 25, 2021

Click here for a beautiful Easter Hallelujah

The Cow, Coyote, and Easter Bunny

 

Happy Easter from the Cow and Coyote