October 2010 in the Pacific Northwest

Today's gospel doctrine lesson was from Isaiah 40-49. One of the verses Isaiah 44:3 led us to discuss the role of water in giving life (of course there is much symbolism ) and in the desert water is really a life or death issue. So when I walked out of the woods today at the end of my Sabbath Day stroll I was impressed with how green the fall rains have made our world.

To report on the results of our efforts this summer I have posted a few after the harvest pictures. Becky really turned the garden into beautiful place this summer. The raspberry patch is now a flower garden (see above).

This the bean pole teepee. That's potatoes, squash and green pumpkins in the background. We hope to build a "used window green house"here this fall so next years starts get a better chance.

As you can see from these pictures we are enjoying a lovely fall season. Its supposed to be sunny all week.

A Trip to the edge of North America

Becky and I took advantage of one more day of sunshine for a trip around the Olympic Peninsula. These pictures are from Neah Bay and Cape Flattery, the northwestern most land on the contental United States.

Yes, Havalah I got stopped a lot on the trail for autographs...

As you can see the coast is rugged and a beautiful.


This is the northwestern most land on the continental United States.
Becky is standing here on the platform at that northwestern most spot. The island behind her is the Maka nations ancestrial village and a lighthouse.

Here are a few photos from Ruby Beach, a raw and beautiful example of this wondrous coast






I know you are all amazed by the quality of these photos. No, I didn't carry our new $1,500 digital camera and tripod (just because everyone else did) I used my Iphone.

Leading the music

Coby loves to lead the music in church. We caught this picture on my Iphone. I had it out showing him pictures to keep him occuppied. Then the music started and he took out a hymnal and led the song. As you can see, he uses both hands.

Sawdust

Last week I had a holiday to work on a long overdue of woodworking project. As I neared the end of my work day and was picking up my tools and sweeping the garage I heard Mom(Grandma Zella) reminding Dad (Grandpa Bill) not to bring that saw dust upstairs with him. Many times that day I walked in and out of our home and probably brought some sawdust with me... It was good to remember that warm little home, the cozy basement and the smell of that fresh cut wood.
I only wish I had the skill to turn my wood into things of beauty or use as easily as Dad

New York, New York

Yes, Becky and Howard enjoyed a lovely trip to New York, New York... but the main reason for that trip was to travel to Pittsburgh and see Anne Turner get baptized. It was a marvelous experience and we are so humbled by her maturity and sincere goodness... to say the least of her ability to dance and laugh. (For more on this event see Joy's blog)

In the mean time Becky and I ventured to New York with Havalah and Brigg. They greeted us with this giant welcome on a 100 foot high billboard. We dedicated the moment to Sierra.
Times Square was really our first introduction to the energy of New York which really holds nothing compared to the energy of Havalah Turner. She was jumping and dancing like Anne.

These New York cops stopped us to get Becky's autograph and a few tips on how to plant their gardens. We let them take a picture with her.

Other than the opportunity to run / jog through Central Park and the magnificents of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, our experience traveling to see the Stature of Liberty was the most interesting and amazing. We were surrounded on this little ship by people from all over the world..literally. There were Germans, French, Russians, Asians, Mexicans among so many others and as we neared the statue to dock and embark the most interesting thing happened. They all stopped talking in their various languages and turned toward this symbol of freedom and liberty and strained to take pictures. The boat seemed to lean to the starboard (right?) as they rushed that direction to take it in and get a better,closer look. To me it was as if they knew that the liberty and freedom they now enjoy in their various homes and lands started here, in the United States of American and this Stature and her presence represented something to them they couldn't say to us but felt.

I heard in my mind the words Mom taught me for some speach contest way back in 6th grade..."give more your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wetched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door".

Gardens

Over the years this Burton family has planted lots of gardens. The California garden grew the fastest but was eaten the fastest by local critters. In Michigan we planted our first successful gardens. The soil left by the older couple we bought that house from was superb. There are pictures somewhere of all the kids (Dan, Joy and Anjuli) behind huge flowers in that garden.
We've planted lots of gardens here in Washington. The garden plot was placed on the site of the burn pile from the construction of the home. I thought the ashes would add nutrients to the soil. Did I note that our land is also on what was the path of the glacier that melted and became the Puget Sound... when it melted it left behind the rocks!
We kind of let things get away from us this spring and started with this last week end.
This week we weeded, roto tilled and planted. The "teepee" above is becoming an annual tradition as Becky creates a place for the grandkids to play while the beans have a place to grow. Look real close and you will see the string is red, green and blue. Probably the funnest teepee yet.

By mid afternoon tomatoes were planted, beans in, etc. We've added yards of new, better dirt, and really missed older kids that wanted to help. Yes, the best part of our gardens are these planting days when the whole crew is out here helping. I've enjoyed the miracles of seeing married children bring their children and spouses out to the gardens and digging in with enthusiasm and vision. Hearing in their voices stories of other gardens and enough understanding to know that when they have homes and backyards of their own they will plant gardens too.


This is a picture of the flower garden. That's Colby's rock in front and Anne and Andrew's rock from Lake Erie in the planters in the middle of the picture. We brought those back last summer. Not quite as many rocks as Uncle John's (see below) but this isn't Utah. The trees are a bit taller though.

Uncle John was an artist

It takes a plane trip home to Utah and its mountains to remind me of my roots. This trip was to attend Uncle John's funeral. Uncle John was Dad's youngest brother. I took this picture of Antelope Island to remind me of Burton family roots in that one of Grandpa Burton's sisters settled out here.

This picture of John and Evelyns backyard put into perspective the few rocks I have stolen from Dad's yard and place in my yard here. Jan and Jay both mentioned in their comments how Uncle John loved to go rock hunting.

Aunt Evelyn remembered me and caused me to remember playing catch with her. I thought she was so cool when I was a young little leaguer and my Aunt would play catch with us when we visited Provo. She is still cool and I'll bet she can still play catch. It was good to spend time with Lenore and my brothers and sisters. There is a picture of us together (but not on my camera). It was good to see them and to be together. We missed Elaine.

Did I say Uncle John was an artist. This is the shed in the back yard. B asked John to paint the shed one day and when she came home... I grew up with Uncle Johns painting on our walls or the billboards of Salt Lake City. Ask me about Jay's story of Uncle John's whiskey billboard... what a classic!

It was good to see Jay and Jan again. Its been too long. Too bad its takes a passing to bring us together. Yet our faith says we will all be together again. Its about family and we are family.

Watching the wild life at the bird refuge..

This is the gang from Christmas 2009 at the end of our visit at the bird refuge... I don't think we posted. On this day we saw many eagles enjoying the Salmon run.

We enjoyed this sunny March Saturday at the Nisqually Bird Refuge. I really am somewhat of a coward when watching the boys. I like to get them outside where they have plenty of space.

Yes, that's a blue Heron. Conner was asking it why it was standing on just one leg. Does anybody know why they just stand on one leg. I am pretty good at making things up but all I could come up with "the other is tired!".

My favorite line all day was that while everyone else comes to the Refuge to see the wild life I bring the wild life with me. Can you see Colin and Conner climbing over the fence. Colby was waiting patiently in the stroller.

HAB loves BCB

Remember that tree we cut down over the Thanksgiving Holiday. This is the first bench we made out of it. If you look real close you will see a heart carved in the middle telling the whole world or at least those that come and spend a nice summer evening at the Burton's that HAB loves BCB. This was my homemade valentine for this year.

Playing in the snow

After viewing Joy's and Havalah's post about the snow and ice, I thought we should post these pictures of our excursion to the snow. Althought it has hardly snowed here in Olympia we can always find and inch or two or (600 hundred ) here at Mt Rainier. This sledding hill was perfect for the boys as they could aim themselves and take out each other or some stranger with no real damage. I think that's Colin heading toward his mother and Conner.

Yes, it does get deep here. These snow caves really captured the boys imagination. Someday they will get to dig one of these with their scout troop and sleep in it (ok..lay awake) all night. I did it last year except I pitched my tent. I'll bet Anjuli has better pictures of this event!