150 Years Young, Canada!

IT'S CANADA DAY eve and the red leaf flutters over clear and cloudy skies.

Hooray to Canada for being such a wonderfully diverse and peaceful place in which to live. Not only is it "strong and free" it includes stunning views, interesting people from around the globe as well as geographical challenges for people who love to be physically inspired. Climate and terrain vary across ten provinces and three territories that span some 4,000 miles from sea to sea. Celebrating 150 years of Confederation, Canada is a giant-sized toddler gaining strength along the way while holding true to its values. There is room for improvement, of course, but among nations Canada is poised to do the right things not only for itself but for the world.

I was pleased most recently with Canada's involvement in the Paris Accord and also its welcoming stance on immigration from war torn Syria.

My parents immigrated to Canada before I was born. Learning a new language in unfamiliar circumstances wasn't easy and life was harsh but my mother said becoming a Canadian citizen was one of the proudest happiest moments of her life.

Mom didn't live long enough to meet my daughter but I know she'd be especially proud to hear her sing "O Canada" a cappella with school friends years ago. I listen the song each Canada Day. Enjoy!

See more skies from around the globe at SKYWATCH.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle for more BC scenes.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Wishful Thinking

A LOCAL NURSERY'S sign read: "1 part soil, 2 parts water, 3 parts wishful thinking".

This "gardener's recipe" is a bit like life's recipe for turning desires into reality. But although things do seem to evolve by themselves, more watering and less wishful thinking might produce better results.

Wishful thinking is a comfort but we all know it's the digging, weeding and quenching of the soil that keeps growth lush. I've seen plants turn to dust in rainless summers when water restrictions come into play. The season seems to produce less showers and more forest fires nowadays in BC. So far, the southwest coastal corner where one expects more rain remains green with many roadside flowers to bury my nose into during my walks. I can't help wishing smell-o-vision was available for these recent shots.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

This post is for OUR WORLD and also SIGNS, SIGNS.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

When Life Gives You Mud, Make Movie Magic

WE PERCHED over the White Rock pier railing like seagulls, enchanted by the strange sights at the muddy beach floor. Along the boardwalk and below, thickly curled cables and other equipment were being expertly shuffled about by people playing a sometimes tedious but significant role in making a movie.

The box had to be positioned just right for the shoeless cameraman who set his sights on actors waiting to perform by a blue umbrella.

I learned the scene was a pilot project for a comedy television series called Better Things. Have you watched the very long list of credits scrolling down at the end of most film endeavors? I long ago realized that it takes a village to make a good show, hard work and perseverance and a desire to play and build imagination "sandcastles" in whatever awkward spaces needed for the plot.

Like life, a good movie makes us laugh, cry, feel awestruck and inspired. Getting bogged down in the small details that make the story "reel" can be less than exciting. But once all the technical, mundane and creative challenges are met, the big picture often seems surprisingly meaningful and grand.

Creative tools have become so portable now that anyone can get in the act of making a movie of their own lives from start to finish. After all is said and done, or not done, as Jim Henson of Muppet fame once wrote: "Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."

Emblazoned on a red painted rock by White Rock City Hall during the 2010 Winter Olympics, I dusted believe from my archives because this is the pinch of magic that adds clarity to life's muddy brew to help get things started.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

To see more sights from around the globe visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms