Light and Beauty

When the sky looks like this, it's time to hurry to the lake 

to catch a spectacular sunset

When the sun gets low on the horizon, it disappears quickly. 

The colors sometimes linger, sometimes they're gone in a blink of any eye. 

This dock is one of the best places to watch the sun set. 

It's often crowded with people quietly enjoying the beauty. 

Kirkland's Mandarin Duck

  

I'd heard about Kirkland's Mandarin duck but I'd never spotted it until this week. I was walking through Marina Park when I felt a nudge, a reminder about the duck and a suggestion that I walk closer to the shoreline. So I did - and there he was! The duck mingled with the Mallards and didn't seem concerned about the people. He swam and walked along the shoreline as we took pictures and talked with each other about his beauty.

This article says the duck is native to Japan, southeast Russia, and eastern China. It's closely related to the North American wood duck. Mandarin ducks are exported to the States and sometimes escape captivity. These pictures were taken at dusk. Imagine how much more vivid the colors would be with more light. 

Read more here about one person's quest to see the duck, along with stunning pictures. 

World Traveler in the 1830s

John Judd in 1879

John was quite the world traveler. According to information in "Descendants of John & Matilda Judd," written by Lysle Jacobs in 1978 - John Judd, born 1809, was a cooper in Hartford, Connecticut. "In that capacity he shipped aboard an outward-bound whaler, and for three years followed the sea, visiting the Portuguese island of St. Helena, doubled Cape Good Hope, & fished in the Straits of Mozambique and Madagascar, visited the coast of Africa, and was twice shipwrecked, barely escaping a watery grave."

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John Judd and Matilda Leach Judd/ Jane Matilda Judd Bowman & John Bowman/ Idah Bowman Browne & Harry Fulton Browne/ Mildred Jane Browne & Harry Edmond Floyd/ Mary Floyd Holton & William Cathcart Holton

Pooh to Piglet

 “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”

 

― (Pooh to Piglet) Carter Crocker, writer for Disney’s The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (goodreads.com)

Mary Elizabeth Neely Todd Pepper

Mary Elizabeth Neely Todd Pepper
1905-1983

She usually went by Elizabeth or Betty.
 Joe called her Maude or Maudie.

This photo was on her 1919 passport application. She was traveling to Cuba with Gilmore aunts and the Athertons from Louisville. 

1927 - this is probably her engagement photo

1978

Thoughts for the New Year

 The Luke 2 account of Christ's birth is full of words and ideas that are wonderful to incorporate into thoughts and goals for a new year. 

glory of the Lord

tidings of great joy for all people

multitudes praising God

going with haste to see the Lord

sharing the good news with others

treasuring these experiences in our hearts

giving thanks to God for what He reveals to us

Luke 2