Day Trippen, round trip from our home in Everett to Obstruction Point Road off of Hurricane Ridge Road in Olympic National Park. A sunny Friday On July 30th. Most of the park was nearly shoulder to shoulder crowded. Unlike Mt Rainer National Park, the vast majority of the cars we saw had Washington State plates on them. In Rainer nearly one third to half of the cars have out of state or Canadian plates. The Olympics are our little big secret.
My submission for Fertlizer Friday....
We started with Family Camp at Silver Lake in Watcom County. We were both feeling run down because of the theft of our car. I think everyone else at family camp just thought we were anti-social jerks. The blues will do that to you. 
We tried to have some fun at Family Camp. This is the one trip that Ray puts on the pink... Pink Flamingo that is. Deb has a collection of Pink Flamingos that Ray displays at Family Camp. I don't think anyone else appreciates it, but we have fun with it.
This is the only evidence that Chris was with us.... his truck and some kayaks. I think he might have been feeling the weight of loosing the car too. He ended up not putting the boats in the water.... which sort of added to our anti-social jerk status (he brings them for the campers). The day we were going to launch the kayaks, we went for a morning walk. All kinds of weirdness happened on our way to the beach. Ray was after a geo-cache, Chris was feeling our stress, and me? Way out in the forest where it was hot and muggy, while in a dress and boat shoes. I drew an arrow in the path to let the guys know I went back to camp, Rudy panicked when he could not find me, Chris was caught between finding what happened to Ray and needing to be on the beach. When we all met back up at camp we felt better even though a bit guilty about missing the group at the beach. God bless Barb for checking on us (sorry about that Barb). Really, we do love our church, but just couldn't take care of beach fun this year. We did not hear one way or the other if it was an issue for anyone. I should have said something, but it did not seem right at the time. Oh well.
The pictures are out of order. This is the first day at Salt Creek on the Straight of Juan de Fuca. The first pretty day of vacation. Before sunset the fog rolled in thick.
Later that same day at Salt Creek. Or maybe this was the next morning. Ray and I went for a walk while Jason slept.
Beach Hoodoo that someone made from kelp and drift wood
What happens when a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it? I don't know if it makes a sound or not but it does get pretty with fungus things.
Canada is out there somewhere
Found the beach at the end of the trail.
One of many tide pools
I remember years ago when our local beach was still covered with shell fish.
On our last day the sun burst through. It was my only chance to get out for sunset pics. I came close! But I am such a dope. I kept glancing up at the sun to check how close it was to setting. I had such a headache from that. I bailed before it actually set but I like the pictures all the same.
We got Rudy out on the Kayak twice during vacation. I would not go so far as to say he liked it, but he was OK with it. He jumped on by himself, even walking through the water the second time to get on board. If you knew my Rudy you would know what a big deal that was. He doesn't like water, even though if Ray or I are taking a shower he wants one too. 
When we first pulled in the back of that truck was full of lavender. That guy is FAST. Purple Haze is our first stop for lavender. The first farm we ever visited while in Dungeness, the first place where we fell in love with all things lavender. Apparently we are not alone.
Washington State has experienced one of the coldest, wettest spring and early summers that I can remember. Sequim is in the "Rain Shadow" of western Washington, meaning that they do not get much rain. Even so, this year it was gloomy and cold. The fields are still stunning but usually I catch the scent of Lavender well before I can see the fields. Not so this year. I did not notice the scent until I went into the gift shop.
Purple Haze gardens. Below is Jason, just back from saying hello to the Peacocks.
Maybe it was the scent of the lavender that calmed our spirits. Maybe it was exhausted acceptance of our Honda. We were just a little calmer by the time we started walking through the lavender fields of Sequim. So much overwhelming beauty. Chris came to family camp with us. He had to get back to work before Sequim. Jason hoped to paddle Sequim Bay with his dad but it was so cold and we were so down about the car that we walked all over the place but did not get the boats into the water.
Jason and me at J du S. He didn't even make fun of us for loving the Lavender. I think he would have rather put paddles in the water, but there were a few geo-caches to find with his dad. That helped.
Jason across the field.
Do you see what I saw?
One of the many sample gardens. Always before there has been brilliant blue sky, even in the early part of the day, but not this year. The rain held off but the gloom of gray skies and fog wrapped itself around us. The nice thing is that I get heat sick easily, that was not an issue this year.
My Ray (should I get cheesy and say ....of sunshine?)
I never noticed that the shop was gray. It blends right into the sky.
This was how we started our vacation.
One of the things that makes me go, "Humm" is remembering that Y'shua told his first followers that he would make them "fishers of men". Right after he sent them to minister, he took them to Bethsaida, The House of Fishermen.When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. Luke 9:10-11 NASU
The twelve had been gifted with power and authority over demons and disease before being sent out with the challenge to bring nothing but dependence on prayer, to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. http://songs-of-coming-rain.blogspot.com/2010/07/luke-9-1-6.html
The twelve return and give a report of what happened while they are out there, without money, without a pack, dependent on prayer and the kindness of strangers as they tell of the coming kingdom of God. Y'shua takes them to Bethsaida, translated "house of fishermen". The crowds come after them. And what does Y'shua do? The very thing that he sent the twelve out to do. Proclaim the kingdom of God and heal those who had need of it.
I have read that the twelve must have been exhausted. I have read that Y'shua himself must have been depressed about the death of John the Baptist. I know that when I write it is easy to insert thoughts into a text that are not there. I do not blame the authors of commentaries for saying these things. They actually make sense. But I have this nagging thought in the back of my head that says, they were all energized. The Joy of the LORD is strength. Nehemiah 8:10b and in John 4:31-33 He tells his disciples that his very food is to do the will of the Father who sent him. There is no hint of exhaustion or depression as Luke tells us that when the crowds followed him, He picked right up with the testimony of the kingdom of God and healing.
What is it that makes me "weary in well doing?" It does happen. I suspect that I have a selfish nature, one that cares more about me. I think my "powerlessness" is a source of depression. But am I powerless? What do I know of being a Spiritual beggar? As I considered how I could make application of chapter 9, verses 1-6, I had a difficult time imagining not bringing my "stuff" for my own comfort. That can wear a girl out. At some point I have picked up Martha's attitude, that the practice of hospitality is a lot of work that requires help. Mary chose to listen to the LORD while Martha fussed. I want to spend my 10 minutes in prayer and get on with it. My personal challenge is to become a spiritual beggar and to depend on Y'shua this week more then on myself. I suspect I will be given many opportunities. I want to pass the test. I want to live in victory.
I adore how this short passage ends, with yet another example of Y'shua welcoming the crowds to tell them of the kingdom and healing them. I like getting out and seeing the Spirit of God at work in my life, then watching a master do what I just stumbled through to show me how to go deeper.
May YHVH show you favor as you come begging at his throne today.
Today: I noticed this rose was open last night when we walked the dogs. It was a slightly deeper yellow last night. Can you see the slight ping tinge? That is what makes me think of the sunset.
The same bud yesterday.
Oregon Spring
Early Blue Still not a flower, but It did look pretty in the morning light.
Rabbit Ear or Spanish Lavender.... It depends on who you ask. This grows in the front garden with hardly even a thank you.
No idea what this is. (OK, I do know it is a Rose) Ray rescued it from a tangle of weeds in the back garden and moved it near the sidewalk. It looks like a yellow rose (duh) with red flames (double duh) but as it opens it will have just about all the colors of the sunset at different stages.
It probably is not easy to tell, but this is white lavender, just getting ready to burst into blossom. . . . if you can classify lavender as "bursting" into blossom.
Is this a weed? It came up through the mint by the north fence. What ever it is, I rather like it.
Miss Kathryn Pink Lavender, the first to blossom, the first to need snipping. It smells a little on the purfumy side to cook with. I like a tad more camphor to balance the sweet for cooking. But I had to clip and pic the first. Sweet Melissa is blooming by the back gate. The Hidcote keeps getting a darker shade of purple every day. The Provence looks like it is struggling to blossom but is quite alive and I am hopeful to have a bit of this classic for my herb tin.
First Lavender of 2010 in Everett. Miss Kathrine, short pink.
From the day that John the Baptizer was arrested by Herod Antipas (the tetrarch), Y'shua had been standing in Herod's front yard proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Masses of people came to hear him. They witnessed healing, freedom from demonic powers and even resurrections. Who was this man?
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Eli'jah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.
Luke 9:7-9 RSV
Peter said, "The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 The social outcasts like the woman with the flow of blood is as important as a synagogue official. This Herod, the son of Herod the Great who killed the babies of Bethlehem, hoping to kill the King of the Jews in that bloody sweep, will also have a chance to be saved by faith. Unfortunately for this Herod, he will go down in history as one who hears the word but does not understand it. Luke 8:5 and 12
It stuns me to realize the gift of mercy that was given to Herod Antipas. The words of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, could be said of John to Herod Antipas, "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good. . ." Gen 50:20a Elohim sent two witnesses to Herod. The first was John the Baptizer. The other was less well known but may have had at least as much influence.
John feared no man. At the risk of an audit (at least in my world) he witnessed to tax collectors. He called on soldiers to repent without fear of reprisal. He not only spoke the truth to the religious but told them of his disgust (you brood of vipers!) Luke 3:12-14 It should not shock me that John would proclaim the message of "repent" to the self proclaimed "king", the tetrarch of Galilee. FF Bruce, in New Testament History, records that Antipas visited his brother Philip at Philip's home, where he fell for his sister-in-law. He divorced his wife of 20 years to have her. Torah allows a man to marry his sister-in-law IF her husband has died without a child. Phillip was still alive and she obviously had a child. John spoke to his face about their sin. Antipas could not have the popular preacher inciting the crowds against him. He had him arrested. Scripture records that he "liked to listen to him" and I'm fairly sure they didn't swap stories of their childhood. Herod had private audiences with the forerunner of Messiah.
There is a hint of another witness at a personal level in Luke 8. As Y'shua went from town to town proclaiming the gospel, a group of regulars accompanied him. Among them is a woman by the name of Joan'na, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward. The wife of the man who has the most trusted and constant access to Antipas was a close and constant follower of Y'shua. Luke 8:1-3
For Luke to say that "Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done…. " seems like an understatement.
My dad is a mechanic. I watched him work on cars for most of my childhood. I've listened to him tell others what could be done to make their cars or boats run well. Sometimes I can listen to a squeal or a ping and can correctly say what the problem is because of my time with my dad. Just as often I get it all wrong. My dad used to say about me that I know just enough to be dangerous. My brothers tell me that I am mechanically inclined because I can screw up anything. (they bought me the T-shirt). After all the time I spent listening to my dad and watching him work on cars, I was absolutely clueless the first time I had to change the oil in my car. I don't know cars, I know about them. And I do know enough to be dangerous. While driving my youngest to work early one morning I watched the temperature rise in my car. My solution, much to my son's horror, was to drive faster to get more air flow and maybe cool the engine. Jason, who does know more about cars then me even though he never (as far as I know) spent time with my dad in his garage, knew we needed to pull over and shut things down. I do know just enough to be dangerous. In spite of the witnesses that Elohim sent to Herod, as much as he knew about the coming Messiah and the Scripture, he knew just enough to be dangerous, not safe.
He had heard that the great prophet Eli'jah, who had not died, would be coming back (Malachi 4:5). He seems to know that a prophet like Moses would come (Deut 18:15-22) but is sketchy on the details. One thing he is sure of, he seems to have another John on his hands, a man whom the crowds adore.
I hear so many people speak of my Messiah in crisis . . . "pray for me because _____" They call him "the man upstairs" They blame Him for the consequences of their own sin, not realizing what he has already done for them because of their own sin. They compare his love for them to their mother or fathers love and demand to know how he can call himself a God of Love. They hope they can do enough good in their life to "outweigh" the bad, the sin, to avoid Hell. They know enough to be dangerous. Thinking that they can do enough good deeds to not go to hell, they do not know that all their righteous deeds are but filthy rags to Elohim. The only righteous deed that out weighs sin is the sacrifice of Y'shua/Jesus, by faith. Being born from on high, dying to self and living for him who died for us. There is no other way. Religion alone is "knowing enough to be dangerous." Doing good is "knowing enough to be dangerous." Just knowing about Jesus is dangerous, but knowing him is eternal, abundant life.
FF Bruce, New Testament History, c. 1969, Anchor Books edition 1972 New York
Sunday morning, 4th of July. It did not feel like a holiday. I think the temperature got all the way up to 61. I do not think that I have ever seen this tree bloom. I have given school children the what-for these last ten or so years for playing on it. Finally it does something to let me know it was worth rescuing. I still don't know what it is, but I like it.
Right after church we went to the Everett Farmers Market on the 4th. The sky was still dreary but the purple fireweed looks bright in front of the gray marina and the even grayer sky. I had planned to make ice cream but it was just too cold out. I still have berries and it is heating up today (July 6)
I guess the theme for today is "Tree Fruit" These are yellow transparent that look neither yellow nor transparent.
One bright, pretty pie cherry. 
We went for a walk on the river early this morning. I think we need a tree at home that grows fishing gear like this one does. It might be hard to see, but there is a red and white bobber hanging from the branch, almost ripe and ready to pick.
Some day I will learn and remember the actual name of this flower bush. I have looked it up a dozen times. It used to grow outside our fence in Robe Valley. In early summer Ann and I would walk up old mountain roads in the evening. I always call it Annie's flower because she used to gather a few for her table. She though the scent was just like warm peaches.
Hello Mickey! We met this ol' boy coming up the trail looking for someone to play football with him. He dropped it at our feet, at bombers feet.... Rudy wanted nothing to do with the big ol' drool machine.
Bomber LOVES Geo-Caching. I know I said we were out for a walk, but really, my guys do not go for walks unless there are caches to find. I found a Cedar Wax Wing, a Belted King Fisher and all the other tweeters I usually find by the river. I am pretty sure that I saw a Gold Finch in the trees near the parking lot but didn't get a close enough look to know for sure.
Deborah.... waiting to see what the sun brings!
