Sweat Equity

It is finally that time for me - to prepare the soil for a fall garden. We increased the space to about 14 x 6. I started as the sun rose, knowing the heat was coming for an all day visit. Drip, drip, the sweat constantly reminding me how much "fun" preparation is...

I loosen the soil and roots, chop chop, remembering my dad and his garden, sweet memories, now here I am.

I wanted to complete every detail in one day, but that is not to be. Patience has to have her perfect way says James 1:4. And thank you Jim my honey, for helping me yesterday with the garden.

The National Parks - Gotta See This !

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid18396856001?bctid=18399010001

As I finished up the study on Esther, I feel a sadness but with a satisfaction, that it has come to an end. Looking at how God put Esther in the lap of luxury, at the feet of King Xerxes, with anything she could ever want or need. Not knowing that just around the corner, her life would be on the line for her people. But she had to lay it down. Just the right time and the right place so that God could save His People from utter destruction and annihilation.

This story of Esther penetrates my mind, spirit and soul, to know how predestined my life is. I am not a great and famous person, but no less a child of God.

Remember: God brings results from your obedience, and we have to surrender our will to make room for God’s will in our lives.

Esther found that out. Read the story. Ask God to talk to you in your ordinary way. He will.

Is my heart listening?

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2.

Isn't it just like God to use your family to bring you to a secret place of prayer? All along He is devoted to us, and just wants us to expand our well being in spirit, soul and body.

The heart is the primary means by which a person seeks and perceives God, and the thoughts of your heart make up your belief system and can dictate what you think, say and do. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7.

"The Lord longs to be gracious to you, He rises to show you compassion...." Isaiah 30:18.

Let me out! Let me out!

This is my grand-daughter Alana Jordan. She is now 1 year and 6 months old. And of course, Neo the family pet! My son tells me she tries to ride Neo....maybe she needs a bicycle!

I cannot wait until Alana is old enough to go hiking with us. I can just see her tiny hiking boots and a hat to shade her beautiful brown eyes. Isn't she beautiful? Sorry, just being a grandma!

Tacoma museum of glass

Our Northwest trip concluded with a visit to the Tacoma glass museum.

They had an actual working shop that you could sit and watch the artisians blowing glass. I was fascinated by it.

I have included shots of Dale Chihuly's glass walkway.

Were having a heat wave.....

Wallace Falls State Park.

Yes, we had a heat wave way up here! About 102 degrees during the day, thanks alot. This park is located outside the town of Gold Bar. Gold Bar started as a prospector's camp in 1889 when traces of gold were found on a river gravel bar. Nearby towns have their unusual name too: Index and Sultan. Wallace Falls consists of 3 sets of falls. The walk is fairly steep thru old growth forests. Sunshine filters thru the canopy today, and I hoped the passing clouds would put shade on my shoulder as it was hot as helen's kitchen! We knew we wanted to get in the water to cool down, so... Jim found just the place to wet our toes! The water was cold, and no rangers in sight! We had a little bit of Heaven here, clean and sweet. After a while of this bliss, we dried our feet, put on our shoes and shimmied our way back around the rocks and fence to the trail. I really had fun and I am glad Jim talked me into climbing the rail that said basically, "keep out." Our day was full of excercise and tired muscles, ready for a hot shower and a foot rub!

Vancouver - a city with a classical Chinese garden....

This one is for you Ivory!

Our first visit was at this garden, a hidden jewel in the city of Vancouver. Four main elements, rock, water, plants and architecture comprise the yin and yang. Very relaxing here in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life. The hand carvings on the woodwork were captivating as you saw the intricate details by the artist. This reminds me that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by my personal artist: The Lord God.

The courtyards contained various patterns of pebbles and stones brought to America from China. Craftsmen were commissioned also to complete the stonework to be one of a kind. This house would have been built for a chinese scholar back home. Soft details, representing woman, and sharper details, representing man.


Vanouver, the city.

What can I say, what a city. It was first founded as a sawmill settlement called Granville. Then incorporated as Vancouver after a british naval captain exploring the area in 1792. The city has over 200 parks, but we will visit Stanley Park which is the most famous.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn near the waters edge. We put our day hikers on and set out to Stanley Park.

The park is about 1,000 acres and a very valuable get away for city dwellers. Set in the middle of an old growth forest featuring cedars, hemlocks and fir trees are dozens of trails and private places to rest and meditate.

The "skirt" of the park consists of about 5 miles of seawall, paved to walk or ride your bicycle to see Siwash Rock, or the totem poles and the Nine O'Clock gun.

You can see the sea wall in this picture at the bottom of the cliff and it runs around the peninsula.

Let's not forget the gardens that we spilled out upon, exiting one of the old growth trails. Out into the sunhine with beds of blooming flowers in every color you can imagine. As each flower is unique in its color and form, I thank God for eyes to see and a nose to smell and fingers to touch His creation.

Our Last Stop: Van Dusen Gardens

This garden was another delightful surprise once you enter and go down the steps. We had the gardens to ourselves for about an hour.

Enjoyment we experienced just for the two of us! A fountain greeted us with a smiling cherub, splashing water at us inviting us to touch!

Shaded walkways invited you further into the garden, not sure which way would be the most alluring....

not wanting to miss anything.....veggie gardens, mazes, beautiful sunflowers along with ponds of beauty. Quite places to ponder and rest, sunshiny spots for evergreens to grow. This place is worth a visit.

I sat a spell, to enjoy the outdoors that are different from our southern gardens, to relish in the difference and be thankful for being able to experience the great northwest. I hope this will not be my last visit ever.