Wednesday Market

There are many summer markets in this area. Kirkland has one on Wednesday afternoons. The Juanita's market is on Fridays. There are several markets in Bellevue and a huge one in Redmond on Saturdays. These pictures are from Kirkland's Wednesday Market which is held at Marina Park in downtown Kirkland.

 Most of the fruits and vegetables are grown on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, several hours from here. There's more sun and hotter temperatures on that side of the mountains.

There aren't enough hot days and nights on this side of the Cascades for tomatoes to ripen. (Cherry tomatoes might ripen but not larger tomatoes.) These tomatoes looked and felt like they might have promise of deliciousness. Not to be - they were nothing like the yummy tomatoes I had on my recent trip to Ohio. 

Centennial Fountain at Marina Park

The large ship on the right gives cruises around Lake Washington during the summer

When you can get a bench by the lake AND in the shade on a picture perfect afternoon, you just have to get a salad and piece of pizza to prolong the joy of the day - and finish off with gelato from Sirena.

We do live in a beautiful part of the world. 

Noble Undertakings & Standing on Shoulders

"All these people have labored for my sake: all that were ever great, wise, or noble—these benefactors of the human race whose names I find recorded in world history, as well as the many more whose services have survived their names. I have reaped their harvest. Upon the earth on which they lived, I tread in their footsteps, which bring blessings upon all who follow them. As soon I wish, I can assume that lofty task which they had set for themselves: the task of making our fellow men ever wiser and happier. Where they had to stop, I can build further. I can bring nearer to completion that noble temple that they had to leave unfinished." (Johann Gottlieb Fichte)

“Bernard of Chartres used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size.” (recorded by John of Salisbury)

John Rosenberg discusses these ideas and adds. "...I like Fichte’s architectural metaphor better—adding to the temple left unfinished by others—because the temple’s builders were not all giants. Some were “great and wise and noble,” and history tells us their names, but we have forgotten the names of the “many more” no less engaged in temple building and equally deserving of our gratitude."

All around us, in our families  in our communities, in our country, we benefit from those who have gone before us and built for us. Rosenberg's article made me think about how I am contributing to "noble" undertakings initiated by others. 

Johann Gottlieb Fichte, “Lectures on the Vocation of a Scholar,” Philosophy of German Idealism (New York: Continuum, 1987), 28.118

John Salisbury, Metalogican of John Salisbury (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1955), 167

Quoted in BYU Studies Quarterly 52, no. 2 (2013); "My Vocation as a Scholar - An Idea of the University" by John R. Rosenberg; pages 117-118

Bugs

Tiny bugs -  This is taken with a zoom lens in an attempt to capture a picture of this swarm of little bugs. There are surprisingly few flying insects here. This was the first time we'd come across gnats or whatever they are. With all the moisture, you'd think mosquitoes would be a problem but they aren't. In our two+ years here we've encountered mosquitoes only once.  We rarely see flies. 

Most people don't have screens in their windows and doors. It's very common to see windows and doors wide open to let in the air - without having to worry about letting in flying creatures. 

Another nice feature of this part of the world!

PS - An interesting thing about this photo. When you look at it magnified, it almost looks like a fleet of helicopters in the distance. 

Ducks & $10 Bills

If our hearts and minds are open, the Spirit can use every day situations to teach us important lessons. In the August 2013 Ensign, magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there were two articles that caught my eye - and heart and mind.

"Grace for Mother Duck and Me" by Rosie Kaufman - One spring afternoon I was packing my car to begin shuttling my five young children to and from lessons and practices. As I loaded soccer cleats and dance bags, I noticed a mother duck and her ducklings waddling down the sidewalk of our suburban neighborhood. As I watched, she began to cross the road. Unfortunately, she chose a gutter grate for her crosswalk, and as she passed over it, her babies followed. Four of her ducklings slipped helplessly between the bars of the grate. ...

"... Sometimes we come up short, even when we have the best intentions and try our hardest. However, the Savior’s “grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before [Him]” (Ether 12:27). It comforts me to know that my shortcomings will not ruin my children and that they will be the recipients of love, peace, understanding, and grace from our Savior. He “reaches my reaching*" and wants my family and me to succeed. Our shortcomings will not prevail when we humble ourselves and stand with the Lord by our side."

Click here to read the middle of the story - about the rescue and the author's thoughts

   *“Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Hymns, no. 129.

"Only 10 Dollars" by Emma C. Miller - The author, a single mother, was going to college and struggled financially. "On my way home from school, I made a quick trip to the store, grabbing a few items and making my way to the express lane. The cashier finished ringing up a man’s order, and when the man handed her the money, she protested, stating it wasn’t enough. English was not the man’s native language, however, so he had difficulty understanding....

"...The man at the grocery store probably gave all he had and needed someone to come to his aid. He needed mercy. Justice meant the items would have to be paid for, but mercy meant that someone else could step in and pay the debt.

"I cried because this experience solidified for me how much my Heavenly Father truly loves me and that because He loves me, He sent His Son to pay for my sins. And not only did He do that, but He continues to bless me through everyday “angels” who step in from time to time to give me what I need. And sometimes He lets me know He loves me by letting me serve someone else."

Click here to read the whole story. 

photo - In 1981 This mother duck and her babies took up residence in our North Street yard for a little while. They liked to gather around the car tires. We had to look carefully before starting the car.

Projects & Interests

I saw these books and photographs on our table recently and realized they represented my interests and current projects. 

Pictures - I spend about an hour most days scanning our photos and Mom's and Dad's. This will help our children, grandchildren and others to have access to wonderful memories. I am thankful for the thousands of photos we have that preserve family memories. 

Family history - I would like to carve out more time to work on family history. This blog is one way to record what we're doing - family history in the making. We've been blessed with an abundance of information about the family who came before us. Recently I purchased "Polish Pioneers in Illinois 1818-1850" by James Lodesky (pictured here). Our Sodoswky/Sandusky and Baum ancestors are part of that story. 

Bahamas History Project - "For All the Saints: Lessons Learned in Building the Kingdom" by Kristen Smith Dayley represents our Bahamas History project. Dayley was given thousands of pages of transcripts from oral histories. It took her eight years to write the book from those transcripts. We too have hundreds and perhaps thousands of pages of transcripts. We need someone to write "the book!" 

Reading - I love to read. I am thankful for the ability to read and for access to so many great books. The challenge is to know which ones to read. I've enjoyed all of Kate Morton's books. 

Scriptures - Daily scripture study and pondering help me learn, grow, and stay grounded in what's most important in this life - and the life to come. I receive counsel, direction, peace, and can feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for each of us. 

Not pictured :) :) - family, friends, service, worship and all those things that make my life an abundant life. 

I am thankful for this abundance. 

There's A Word For It

Can you see the blue spot breaking through the clouds? Around here there's a phrase for that - sun break. Weather forecasters talk about cloudy weather and mention when the "sun break" is likely to happen. The term is in the online Urban Dictionary. 

Pictures taken at Houghton Beach Park, Kirkland

Mary & Bill - Happy Anniversary

Mary & Bill (my parents)

married September 1, 1945

Bill & Mary

April 1944

London, Ohio

(maybe the green ham visit - see more below)

The following stories come from conversations with Mary and Bill in December 1983 & January 1984. Mary transcribed the taped discussions. Another source is “Recollections” written by Bill in 1985.

How Bill & Mary met

1943 - Mary had graduated from Evanston High School at age 16 and at 17 was a freshman at Northwestern University (July birthday). Bill was also a freshman at Northwestern.

Describing his wartime college experience at Northwestern University – Bill - “The band wasn’t the only organization suffering from manpower shortages; that hit the church choirs, too. I learned that Covenant Methodist Church needed men singers so badly that they would pay people to sing. I was accepted and became a regular member of the choir. That’s when I noticed the beautiful soprano who later be came my wife. After we got acquainted I became a regular at the Floyd’s for weekends so I was getting paid and having my social life taken care of through the same church choir. “

In his writeup of his Navy years, Bill added a bit more information – “One consequence of the war activities was that the church choirs were short men singers. I saw a notice on a bulletin boards offering ‘employment’ at Covenant Methodist Church in North Evanston. I was accepted to sing baritone in Noble Cain’s choir. That’s where I met Mary, who had the prettiest legs in the choir. The rest of that story is well known.”

Mary – “We were singing in the same choir when we met. They (the Navy men) were being paid (to sing). We were not. I had a nice relationship with a couple of guys. Bill was singing in the choir. Didn’t the church people say invite these sailors for dinner? Isn’t that how it started?”

Mary and Bill talked about Mary’s mother Mildred and how she promoted their relationship. About Mildred, Bill said “Obviously a lady of discernment because she was the one that promoted our getting married." Mary related what her mother said – “That is a very nice young man. I’m bringing him home to dinner and you be here. You have a date for Sunday? Cancel it. Such a nice young man.”

Asked how he got Mildred on his side - “She was a person of discernment ?? I think probably I was always more comfortable with older people than with people my own age. I wasn’t consciously trying to make an impression or trying to be nice.” Mary – “You know how 17 year old girls are. Not used to guys who want to spend a lot of time with parents.” Bill – One thing led to another.“

Bill – “Your mother was an awful good cook.” Mary – “Except for the three vegetable salad!” Bill – “She only did that to me once. I happened to be there on a Saturday…” Mary – “On a Saturday – you probably came Friday night!” [Turns out Bill sometimes slept at the Floyd’s apartment.] Mary – “Where did you sleep?” Bill – “In your bed.” Mary – “Where did I sleep? Louise Elworoths [think this is Ellsworth]?” Bill - "You slept on the couch!" Julia asked Bill, “Weren’t you going to school at Northwestern? And you had a dorm room? Why did you stay there?” Bill – “I was invited for the weekend!" Mary – “The campus was almost a mile away!” Julia – “So Gram would invite you?” Mary – “He was such a nice boy!” Bill “Sure! She always had real good food. But the 3 bean…” Mary – “It was macaroni, green beans…” Bill “A whole bunch of stuff that had no place in a salad. I was a clean living boy – I’d never been exposed to things like that. I got exposed once and that was it. Never ever ate it again.”

Here’s a story about food on one of Mary’s trips to London before she and Bill were married – Bill “We always had our ham, butchered on the farm and cured by one of the local freezer plants. Then they’d bring them home in a cotton sack and you’d hang them in a dry place. In our house the best place was the top of the garage. So there were always a couple of these hams in the garage. One time when we were home, before we were married, it was decided we were going to have some ham slices, so Father took the ham down. This ham had already been cut into and the way you kept this thing from drying out was to smear lard over the cut face. With just the natural processes of oxidation it got kind of smelly and looked kind of ... This has been going on for centuries and the way you took care of this little problem was to wash the whole thing with vinegar. That got all the old lard off and the dirt and anything else that was there at the same time. But it didn’t look just exactly like it had come from the butcher shop. So, got this ham out, cooked a slice. I don’t imagine you ate too much of that.” Mary’s response was “I don’t remember. Probably not. Very salty.”

Speaking of the taste, Bill said, “Partly because the hams were very, very strong those days, stronger than they are now. They used a different cure and more salt, because they were kept without refrigeration. Mary was asked if she thought the whole thing was strange and if these people were strange. “I think I’ve always been fairly curious and interested in the way things are done, and done differently. I don’t remember having much more than a “yech” to the meat after it was done. It was explained. But I do remember Father taking the huge knife and scraping the green grease off. But you also knew that with the level of the family they weren’t going to serve you anything poison. But it was really strange.”

**********

Click here for another anniversary post