tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62089592681363881912012-02-10T08:17:04.448-08:00Life, issues and creative expressions inspired by an imaginative West Coast kid.aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comBlogger2221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-12988883985735004262012-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:002012-02-07T12:50:31.915-08:00

THIS DRAPED PANEL of shimmering fabric fluttered in the breeze as it shaded a backyard patio in Sechelt last summer. My word for the letter “D” is drapery and all the descriptions that it brings to mind. This once discarded, deliciously orange, delightfully delicate, drifting piece of silky material got a second chance to make a splash. The dangling curtain dressed in ruffles prettily twirled,

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-84365186548187909112012-02-03T07:50:00.001-08:002012-02-08T06:23:32.125-08:00

SWEET SUNSETS ABOUND world over in their differing hues. But last night we gratefully watched the sun at Kwomais Point Park melt into the sea as effortlessly as a lump of sugar dissolving into a hot cup of tea.See more luscious skies from around the globe at Skywatch.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-55242799995559587332012-01-31T03:53:00.000-08:002012-02-01T04:14:04.673-08:00

WOULDN'T WE ALL like to camouflage at times the way this pet does on a beach at Davis Bay? Staying in the background can be comforting and feel safe when uninspired or simply tired and searching for a word that begins with the letter "C". As a teenager I certainly didn't want to be conspicuous and did my best to blend in with the rest.But a closer look reveals no stone is commonplace when the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-69075338476392366532012-01-30T06:06:00.000-08:002012-02-07T07:08:25.260-08:00

RAIN WASHED AWAY any lingering snow from the Kitsilano seawall where my daughter and I walked last weekend. At first glance the horizon was colorless as we strolled puddleless paths barely dampened by an earlier soaking.Although southwest BC can get dreary this time of year, the winter rain cleared the air and mellowed the beach scene at Kits Point overlooking English Bay.A soft silver hue dipped

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-25376081272528838832012-01-24T06:20:00.000-08:002012-01-27T04:04:39.494-08:00

MY SUMMER MEMORIES are a nice break from the winter chill and happen to contain several words beginning with the letter “B”. While driving to my brother's home in Sechelt last August, we saw various creative seating options at bus stops on the highway. The office chair is one of my favorites.Along the way we also saw a bed planted in the front yard of a Bed & Breakfast establishment.There was no

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-55416781157156036482012-01-19T04:42:00.000-08:002012-01-21T14:07:51.339-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-45873419932425891032012-01-16T04:18:00.000-08:002012-01-21T17:40:09.800-08:00

SNOWFALL TURNED INTO slush overnight before I could capture its pristine beauty. The light dusting of powder didn't last long in the rain. Although there wasn't enough wintry white to make a footprint (photo taken last winter), I was glad this first flurry of the new year melted fast. Driving on icy streets is a challenge. And I didn't want to bring out my cobweb-covered snow shovel.I imagined

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-34828058287384145722012-01-12T06:30:00.000-08:002012-01-22T03:10:49.038-08:00

IT WAS A HANG ONTO YOUR HAT blustery afternoon when I took a walk recently along the Crescent Beach shoreline to find the bay area was unusually animated.The wind whipped at my face as it surfed the soaked edge where I wandered. If the weather had been less chilly, I would have kicked off my shoes and dug my toes in the silky sand the water was softening.The sun cast a silver glow as bouncy waves

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-34358870720358888282012-01-11T04:36:00.000-08:002012-01-11T04:37:55.130-08:00

Linked to Wordless Wednesday.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-76134654358173055402012-01-10T03:40:00.000-08:002012-01-21T13:49:31.892-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-35308590318367752642012-01-09T06:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T05:40:09.117-08:00

WE READ THE WEATHER like tealeaves wanting to know what the future will hold. But the changing skies that hang over my personal pathways are seldom that clear as I peer into the gray and sometimes shimmering patterns.I like to peek into my tomorrows for hints of what I should wear when I venture outdoors … although boots and an umbrella are an easy guess this time of year. I also welcome the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-34348301625791197052012-01-08T18:37:00.000-08:002012-01-09T05:01:57.349-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-35919260026716154122012-01-02T03:33:00.000-08:002012-01-15T05:41:39.156-08:00

THIS FRESH START to a New Year got me thinking that vexing problems and challenging times can easily rob the joy out of life. There is wonderment to soak in at nearly every corner ... even if within the parameters of one's own mind. A mystic moment can be sparked by a deep inner knowing or a simple reflection of tree branches tangled in paper decor pasted on the window of a community hall.

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-73119313256763940742011-12-31T05:42:00.000-08:002012-01-01T01:32:15.372-08:00

BEST WISHES to all for a healthy and joyful 2012 brimming with bright outcomes. If 2011 left some feeling a little chilly or frayed, I hope this photo my daughter took of a much-hugged childhood toy will warm and cheer you!Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-58553108819952793862011-12-30T10:58:00.000-08:002011-12-31T10:57:15.752-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-65605521000749888682011-12-29T16:42:00.000-08:002011-12-30T10:45:38.150-08:00

See more skies from around the globe at Skywatch. This post is also linked to Weekend Reflections.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-14763466546712778172011-12-26T07:16:00.000-08:002011-12-27T06:21:40.434-08:00

'TWAS THE DAY before Christmas when I rushed to Crescent Beach in South Surrey for a last minute present. The few shops there were mostly closed and the only gift I found was the sun pouring out in the late afternoon after a morning wrapped in heavy rainfall.Looking up from the puddle strewn path I saw something appear like a moon out of reach. Instead of a nest, balloons were stuck in the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-48683880798536470952011-12-24T06:45:00.000-08:002011-12-31T06:22:25.678-08:00

THIS PHOTOGRAPH was snapped by my daughter several months ago at an art gallery event in Vancouver. Filling an entire room with balloons is kinder to the environment than sending them adrift in the air. But the image played in my mind as a metaphor for all the blocked creative potential, wishes and goals bursting to get loose and not yet real. Keeping dreams alive isn’t easy but sticking a pin in

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-50220465836908938382011-12-21T06:47:00.000-08:002011-12-21T09:21:11.719-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-12546466446375506042011-12-19T04:25:00.000-08:002011-12-20T08:30:48.698-08:00

THE ART AT MY FEET was a pleasant surprise at the end of a forested road to Kwomais Point Park in South Surrey. The mosaic circle was a meaningful touch added to the newly completed plaza by the community buildings.A little online research revealed that the creation, eight feet in diameter, was a very effective collaboration by visual artist Deborah Putman and ceramic artist and potter Connie

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-41404352378125834062011-12-12T04:45:00.000-08:002011-12-12T05:17:07.904-08:00

THE URGE TO FASHION handcrafted wonders or to capture a special moment with the click of a camera is unstoppable. With all this creativity spilling over it is a good thing there are chances to display the results this gift giving season. It was especially nice to see Lynette's work from Imagination Lane at the Elgin Hall Craft Fair where I dropped by on Saturday.I couldn't resist purchasing a few

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-30939272666099345252011-12-10T01:30:00.000-08:002011-12-10T07:49:47.646-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-4520296921777904492011-12-09T15:46:00.000-08:002011-12-10T00:51:23.819-08:00

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-15785521868880473932011-12-07T04:44:00.000-08:002011-12-07T08:49:04.655-08:00

This post is linked to ABC Wednesday to showcase the letter "U". It is also linked to Wordless Wednesday because its story is yet to be told.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-70318839025676622322011-12-05T05:45:00.000-08:002011-12-20T08:15:21.177-08:00

THE ORNAMENT I purchased in a gift shop during our 2010 visit to the Vatican in Rome is making its debut on our Christmas tree in BC this year. The season rolled around so quickly that I missed putting up a tree last year ... unusual in my world as I have always kept up the tradition.Unwrapping old decorations to put on artificial boughs, I realized many ornaments have special meaning (including

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-12915213196974463662011-11-29T04:45:00.000-08:002011-12-07T05:56:32.655-08:00

I SPOTTED A LITTLE GIRL with brightly colored toenails (click photo for detail) during a visit to Granville Island in Vancouver last August. She was enchanted by the rather large character making its way slowly and steadily away from the nearby pond along a littered walkway towards the vines.I noticed that the shade of the child’s nail polish somewhat resembled the pinkish-red strip on the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-45969520134622345472011-11-28T05:15:00.000-08:002012-01-23T07:21:01.016-08:00

MY DEPENDENCE ON ALL THINGS electrical became terribly clear when the lights went out in the wee hours of the morning last Tuesday. There were no hot cups of coffee to stir the day and combing my hair in the mirror amid candlelight shadows was spooky. It was a howling pitch-black night with all manner of debris being knocked about in the windstorm. I woke from a fitful sleep to find the lawn

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-68837521141529204762011-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:002011-12-07T05:57:14.846-08:00

IT SEEMED LIKE A TOY more than a plane when I discovered this lovely contraption on the floor of a South Surrey mall recently. It was transported there from the Canadian Museum of Flight located several miles away in Langley, BC, and was under the watchful eye of volunteer veterans.Possessing charm reminiscent of a vintage car, the Sopwith Camel seems too vulnerable to have soared in turbulent

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-20435416438913792892011-11-20T07:30:00.000-08:002011-12-07T06:01:04.969-08:00

I RECENTLY VISITED A FAMILIAR narrow strip of land wedged between multimillion dollar homes off Ocean Park Road in South Surrey, BC. Each time I go to Ben Stevenson Park I am grateful that a forward thinking pioneer donated this small portion of his subdivided acreage on a bluff to the city so that all who entered its gates could enjoy the gorgeous water views.The sun was out in the early

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-78012738528507890212011-11-17T05:10:00.000-08:002011-11-17T07:13:17.626-08:00

"We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.”- Carl SaganCopyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-84572397158711027712011-11-15T11:30:00.000-08:002011-12-07T05:59:12.594-08:00

This post is linked to ABC Wednesday to showcase the letter "R".Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-9255843531709057532011-11-14T04:30:00.000-08:002011-12-07T05:59:59.999-08:00

EVEN MARTIANS LIKE UMBRELLAS by the look of this front yard decor at a Kitsilano home in Vancouver, BC. The canopy could keep the cute alien dry in a rainstorm but it would have been useless had there been showers of debris from the asteroid that sped by the moon and Earth last Tuesday.There is nowhere to flee from heavenly debris and I might have cowered in a corner hearing news of this

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-33471804759814898832011-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:002011-12-07T06:00:00.007-08:00

THE ATTENTION GRABBING Legends of the Millennium by artist Paul Ygartua transports us into pivotal moments in history with larger-than-life famous faces painted on a wall at the Beachcomber Hot Tubs factory by a parking lot near a busy street in Surrey, BC.Most of the people depicted are known worldwide. They have planted themselves into our consciousness with their unforgettable stories as

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-43252206607801512242011-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:002011-12-07T05:59:12.597-08:00

NO NEED TO WAIT for the sun to come out to enjoy a walk in late fall or the coming winter in BC. Wet coastal weather is often a curious mix of sudden sunbeams pouring through clouds, gentle drizzles and heavy windswept showers ... sometimes all within minutes.It is no wonder my daughter was compelled to create drawings of a little girl with an umbrella. The illustrations of Penelope (

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-79789499673446513712011-10-31T06:27:00.000-07:002012-01-23T07:30:47.060-08:00

A GRASSY FIELD littered with brightly hued leaves is expected this time of year ...so is this cluster of ghostly white mushrooms buried amid the weeds.But this trash of plastics, glass bottles and tin cans was a complete surprise when I came by a grassy nook recently to take in the serene scene below.The picture perfect landscape with the Nicomekl River flowing by deserves more respect. Although

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-43181211291262165722011-10-27T12:30:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:38:55.706-08:00

TRAVELING OVER THE ALEX FRASER BRIDGE involves driving alongside a gigantic web of steel ropes. The 1,525 foot structure opened in 1986 and was (at the time) the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It was named after a local BC politician who happened to have the same surname as early explorer Simon Fraser for whom the river beneath the bridge is named.It sometimes seems as if you could

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-3126006478868993942011-10-24T05:30:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:41:37.703-08:00

SO MUCH TRUE TERROR exists in our paradoxically dangerous and nurturing world that I have difficulty understanding the fascination people have for the macabre and with violence.This is the season when horrific images abound. A company called Spirit Halloween that I visited with my husband recently set up shop in Langley, BC, selling costumes and images of torture, dismemberment and death.Press a

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-46303604611953989242011-10-20T08:08:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:40:10.179-08:00

WHEN IT ISN'T RAINING sunsets blaze a little brighter during autumn at Kwomais Point Park in South Surrey, BC, where I often visit.The area overlooking Boundary Bay is a compelling feature for people taking their evening stroll in the neighbourhood. A woman was there ahead of me with her camera trying to capture the magic of the rapidly changing hues.Soon more people gathered to soak in the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-83713847062011938282011-10-17T05:16:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:42:40.808-08:00

BLUSHINGLY BRIGHT images in their last gasp, such as this Virgina creeper, fill the nooks and crannies of the places I explore in my world.Birds chirp somewhat anxiously from within trees that soon will be bare. Although southwest BC has the mildest winters in Canada, some will be packing up and winging to warmer regions by the end of fall.Chimes swing as breezes build, casting soulful melodies

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-31799484930059174792011-10-10T05:35:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:43:18.029-08:00

FALL AND A PICTORIAL DIARY of my world reminded me of endings this holiday weekend. This adorable dog wearing shoes is well cared for despite its owner having possibly reached the end of his road in finding a lucrative job. By the look of the load on his bike, he now earns a living by cashing in discarded bottles. Perhaps he is content with a pet and the simple life.These forlorn shoes in the sky

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-29185348081475032842011-10-04T03:43:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:43:54.009-08:00

AS AN ELECTION SIGN BY THE ROAD showed, Jack Layton was leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Through sheer magnetism mixed with stubborn determination and a platform of family-friendly ideas, he became opposition leader to the Conservative Party after the last Canadian federal election in May, 2011. This was a huge milestone for the NDP.Sadly, upon winning the prize, Jack (known as a man of

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-91465025001486757132011-09-26T08:50:00.000-07:002011-12-20T08:28:03.651-08:00

THE BLUSTERY WEATHER this weekend put me in a mood to bring out my plastic Halloween pumpkin that hides a wickedness behind its carved out grin. Autumn has definitely hit its stride in southwest BC.The hardy chrysanthemums or mums unfurled from their summer's sleep.My windsock swam the windy waves, trying to escape its strings.The breeze ripped leaves from trees during my morning walk … some in

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-60548265427065273162011-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:45:26.463-08:00

IMAGES OF STEAMING hot cups of tea, a crackling wood fire and sweetly scented baked apples came to mind when visiting the Stewart Farmhouse in South Surrey, BC, last week. The heritage home is the perfect escape on a cold blustery day in my world.Old lace decorating the windows is reminiscent of the curtains our great grandmothers might have crocheted. From furniture to cutlery, the 1890 - 1920

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-18710673000646044262011-09-12T05:30:00.000-07:002012-01-24T06:16:52.335-08:00

ENTHRALLED BY THE SCENERY, my husband was enjoying the view while I took photographs from the BC Ferry windows.We were leaving Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to visit family in Sechelt this past August.The sun gave sparkle to the Howe Sound and Georgia Strait waters. Sky reflections painted the sea a deep blue.Patterns formed around rugged and evergreen rich islands.A winding path trailed behind

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-87818601806723151842011-09-08T06:22:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:46:03.803-08:00

THE EVENING was mostly a blank sheet of blue sky shared by the moon and setting sun recently over Kwomais Point Park.As the sun descended on the horizon, a colorful palette emerged as though a celestial fingerpainter swept golden hues and charcoal grays over the scene.The picture darkened ...and swirling clouds were sent adrift as if by an artist's hand.Copyright by Penelope PuddlismsThere are

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-12865800379640176282011-09-05T06:31:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:46:49.604-08:00

IT WAS A SPECIAL occasion hanging out with Stephanie from Comox, BC. We normally communicate only on our blogs. But when she came into Vancouver for a holiday this past August, it gave us a chance to finally meet in person.I arrived at the designated Granville Island restaurant early. So I passed the time by taking a few pictures in and around the nearby pond.There was quite a crowd gathering.It

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-87020379209020761492011-08-29T07:19:00.000-07:002011-12-20T04:15:59.619-08:00

SOMETHING UNUSUAL caught my eye as I headed to Kwomais Point Park at dusk to watch the sunset last Saturday.To my surprise an umbrella was there as well as a row of candles and a cake.The normally quiet setting was filled with laughter and chatter. A young woman was celebrating her birthday with friends. They didn't mind me taking pictures of their outdoor decorations.The conversation made me

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-73799185418272132762011-08-25T13:15:00.000-07:002012-01-14T13:12:31.685-08:00

THESE GHOSTLY CLOUDS followed us down the road as we sped home after seeing the Rise of the Planet of the Apes movie when it opened in Langley, BC, earlier this month. Big and billowing, the floating army chased us all the way into Surrey without seeming to change its shape. I recognized similar "snout" formations on the conjoined clouds over Jericho Beach in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver when

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-81227171522859267492011-08-24T09:50:00.000-07:002012-01-14T13:12:00.715-08:00

SWIMMING FROM PIER TO pillar was a blast for these kids but nerve racking for onlookers who saw the dangers. Although such activities are known to cause accidents, these haphazard dives into Davis Bay looked like pure fun.We watched youngsters leap in the air without a care during a recent trip to visit family in Sechelt that started with a BC Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-62878794783262649162011-08-23T06:20:00.000-07:002011-12-08T14:00:50.262-08:00

Sometimes Fun Fun Park is empty of children and playful sounds ... and sometimes ... it's not. Summer was slow to come to Ocean Park, BC. But as the face on this drawing shows, little ones have enjoyed the playground, especially in July and August. According to the chalk art, one group would soon say farewell to summer fun. Bordering the swings and seesaw is a forest where people love to

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-68944707189542187102011-08-22T08:00:00.000-07:002011-09-03T08:09:12.166-07:00

PEOPLE LOVE TO LAZE on sandy beaches when the rays are warm and the weather is refreshingly breezy. Jericho Beach in Vancouver's West End is a hub for water sports and relaxation. It is easy to see why people gravitate to the tan colored shore by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Beyond the eye-catching pattern of the umbrella, it is also clear that the popular spot overlooking Burrard Inlet and

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-24700117784608932912011-08-15T06:25:00.000-07:002011-12-02T06:44:21.385-08:00

A CAREFUL LOOK SHOWS two people are reflected in the Freezing Water #7 stainless steel sculpture by Chinese artist Jun Ren, temporarily in Vancouver, BC. The spectacular work also mirrors the blue sky, puffs of clouds and dry grass. Frozen yet visually fluid, the shape reminds me of a whale leaping out of the water or gigantic gull wings rippled by sea breezes.The exhibit at Vanier Park attracted

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-7597273178108650542011-08-08T06:40:00.000-07:002011-12-04T09:10:01.156-08:00

CHAIRS, ROCK SOLID COUCHES and benches bloomed at Art Knapp’s Nurseries. I was at the South Surrey location looking for plants. But I found much more at the store chain formerly operated by Bill Vander Zalm who was also Premier of BC from 1986 to 1991. Vander Zalm came out of retirement recently to fight the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in the Province. Some of his family still run the garden

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-44392087692647563262011-08-01T06:55:00.000-07:002011-12-08T14:02:54.532-08:00

IT WAS THE LAST day of the Mom’s The Word: Remixed play in my world. My husband and I went to Granville Island in Vancouver to see the comedy about professional women adjusting as stay-at-home "amateur" moms.We got there with an hour to spare so had time to soak in the atmosphere on a rare sunny day last weekend in southwest BC. As I write this a week later on BC Day (a statutory holiday that

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-72568168213263633832011-07-25T07:27:00.000-07:002011-12-18T10:09:44.013-08:00

THIS BIG FOOT was hard to miss when I revisited Water Street in Gastown, Vancouver, recently. The dishes on the counter (top right) gives a sense of its size. I’ve not yet stepped inside the Boffi store but have been intrigued by its unique furniture and decor.Since they don’t sell shoes I wondered why the foot was there other than to get the attention of passersby. I soon realized it was a side

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-58209765929609804112011-07-18T06:15:00.000-07:002011-12-20T03:10:59.256-08:00

IS LIFE A GAME with parameters set by the limits of our thinking? My neighbor’s pet wanted to move on but I stopped to ponder the possibilities on a recent walk. As a child playing hopscotch, it was vital to stay inside the lines and there was a sense of pride when I got to the end without jumping outside the designated area. But chalk fades over time and the joy of getting from here to there

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-27422744150688211602011-07-11T06:40:00.000-07:002011-08-18T11:11:13.726-07:00

ONE NEVER KNOWS what will be found at the side of the road in my world. I recently spotted this parked car covered in a sea of shells. There was barely a spot that didn’t have a starfish, clamshell or some other abandoned home of a crustacean. The collection was exquisite, varied and mostly familiar. I wondered if all these pieces were found on BC beaches. Was the collection a mix of shells from

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-49062951334027054112011-07-07T07:10:00.000-07:002011-11-26T08:34:09.854-08:00

RAIN HELD ITS DRIZZLE and the sun occasionally peeked through as we watched the sky from a front row seat at Kwomais Point Park in Surrey, BC.My friend Kay from An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel was visiting last week and we were having a picnic. The Monet inspired umbrella over Kay’s head came in handy to protect her from both rain and shine.We scanned the horizon as if it were a huge

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-30035829459650571332011-07-04T06:30:00.000-07:002011-12-20T03:19:31.724-08:00

ILLUSTRATIONS OF 2010 Winter Olympic memories submitted by some 200 children from Ray Shepherd Elementary were captured on an eight-panel mural. The drawings were recreated for the South Surrey school wall by local BC artist Elizabeth Hollick. The work was unveiled June of this year.Skiing, skating snowboarding, mascots, musical events and hockey are just some scenes featured on the southern

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-74986588593775885482011-06-30T03:30:00.000-07:002011-07-01T18:26:29.005-07:00

A FAMILIAR RHYME came to mind when I revisited the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary in Whalley, BC. Looking up at the sky, the words rang in my head: Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people.I didn’t open the church doors, however. And the only person I saw was me taking a picture of the steeple under a cloud-filled pale blue sky reflected in the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-33961045983117675522011-06-28T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-29T10:22:10.523-07:00

THE AFTERMATH of the Stanley Cup game in Vancouver when the Canucks lost to Boston wasn’t pretty. Damage to property and reputation caused by crazed vandals was a costly and huge embarrassment to the city. The Apology Wall on Robson Street was a spontaneous reaction from those who watched the events unfold with horror.The destroyers of the world are often followed by rebuilders and doers. While

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-30225910814461917122011-06-27T06:10:00.000-07:002011-06-30T03:49:11.693-07:00

THERE WAS A DEFINITE DRIZZLE and downright downpour at times on Saturday, June 18, in South Surrey, BC. The festival at Kwomais Point Park coupled with the annual Ocean Park Day celebrations at the nearby Village Center seemed to bring on the inclement weather. Life amid the drops is typical in my world so we were not detoured from having a good time.The rain-washed forest gathered people from

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-69731543333256806302011-06-21T07:15:00.000-07:002011-12-09T12:34:17.221-08:00

This post will link to Wordless Wednesday and Watery Wednesday.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-56264313193347419662011-06-20T06:45:00.000-07:002011-12-26T07:21:45.049-08:00

MY HEAD TENDS TO be in the clouds when I explore local areas such as Crescent Beach in Surrey, BC. But that is not often the case for one blogger I met for the first time in person last Wednesday. Susannah from Wanderin' Weeta (With Waterfowl and Weeds), with her constant companion, Laurie, usually keeps her focus closer to the ground.Susannah is the Sherlock Holmes of the natural world,

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-14564483492166179422011-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:002011-06-18T08:48:13.022-07:00

THEY HAD ALL THE SUPPORT a hockey team could dream of. Flags, t-shirts and other paraphernalia were flying off the shelves. Expectations were sky high so the disappointment at the Vancouver Canuck’s losing the Stanley Cup game last night to Boston was crushingly low. But the disgusting behavior of people on the streets was a much more monumental disappointment.Who are the people who acted like

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-72790125235726716492011-06-14T05:20:00.000-07:002011-12-04T08:35:43.420-08:00

THERE ARE SIGNS OF POLITICAL shenanigans in my world. It is taxing to keep up with BC Liberal Government maneuverings when it comes to the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) put into effect on July 1, 2010, without public consultation. Premier Gordon Campbell, during his election campaign, clearly stated he would not implement the combined tax of 7% Provincial (PST) and 5% Federal (GST) that taxes goods

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-26741426071257275622011-06-13T06:15:00.000-07:002011-06-30T04:05:22.411-07:00

I NOTICED BLACKBERRY blossoms attracted hungry visitors on my recent walk through Ocean Park in Surrey, BC. This pollen seeking insect hovered at the heart of each small flower for its meal.By its lean and not too fuzzy body, I assumed it was a wasp, not a bee.There was not a single bug to bother the showy red poppy, or the pink.Its thin petals fluttered like crepe paper in the light spring

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-74079214093145490372011-06-09T05:40:00.000-07:002011-12-09T12:35:38.010-08:00

I BREEZED BY my favorite spot in Ocean Park called Kwomais Point Park in Surrey, BC, last week. A thin strip of rolling clouds in the distance looked like a snowy mountain range. The clouds in the forefront hung perfectly still.I rested a bit expecting the lovely sky scene to change. Normally, puffs of white and blue-gray on the horizon are constantly reshaping.I waited ...and waited a bit longer

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-30205989946290401572011-06-07T04:05:00.000-07:002011-06-26T08:36:54.089-07:00

WEE LILY OF THE VALLEY clusters hung their heads more heavily in my garden after a morning rainfall last week. In a thick forest of leaves, only one leaf (click on photo for detail) retained a droplet of water.The delicate lily is often portrayed in fairy art. When the sun peeks through and shadow and light fall on the foliage, it is easy to imagine tiny winged creatures tilting these cups for

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-34687746908705662162011-06-06T06:05:00.000-07:002011-12-10T06:57:14.614-08:00

I VISITED ANTIQUE ALLEY in my world recently on Front Street in New Westminster, BC. The heritage waterfront area is in disrepair and sits tucked away in the shadows of an overpowering modern-day parkade.Across the street from the string of shops, a railway and cement structures block views of the Fraser River. This once important harbour area of the 1920s looks a little shabby nowadays.Some

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-85253509349778811722011-06-01T05:56:00.000-07:002011-12-20T03:21:54.585-08:00

THIS VINE COVERED HOUSE in the Kitsilano neighborhood of Vancouver, BC, caught my attention. It seems the ivy has been creeping over the outer walls for decades, burrowing into nooks and crannies of the wooden façade.It has wrapped its way around windows and a mysterious doorway that perhaps has not seen full sunlight in years. This captivating home that has allowed nature to have its way seems

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-33234156025696726542011-05-30T08:30:00.000-07:002011-12-17T09:15:36.067-08:00

THOUGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE dealing with a fatal disease followed us every step of the way during the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis at Queen’s Park in New Westminster, BC, on Sunday, May 29th.May is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) awareness month in my world. I was personally made aware of the condition several years ago when my daughter introduced me to a bright young gymnast and classmate named

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-2050419594350728702011-05-24T10:55:00.000-07:002011-12-09T12:36:38.053-08:00

WE HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF CATASTROPHES of biblical proportions recently. But some folk make waves and stir up worries unnecessarily. The recent doomsday predictions I mentioned in my previous post were all over the media but did not materialize. Although I didn't find their message credible, there is always a fleeting thought ... what if it IS true?Like the water's edge I captured in Burnaby, BC,

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-78561980798389109052011-05-23T07:30:00.000-07:002011-11-26T08:34:09.860-08:00

THE WEATHER FINALLY FELT like spring and the mood was carefree when I strolled the Ocean Park neighborhood in Surrey, BC, last week with a blogger many know in the virtual world. It was fun to branch out and meet face to face with Jen, the creator of Muddy Boot Dreams, a popular site for flower lovers and a gardener’s delight. Jen reveals interesting tidbits about local life and has an extensive

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-41992031027459377542011-05-16T06:15:00.000-07:002011-12-10T07:02:26.394-08:00

MY WORLD WAS SOPPING wet last Wednesday. I thought about grabbing my umbrella and going for a walk … but I didn’t. On this rainy day, I decided to spend some time indoors reading. That's when I stumbled on a May 4th post by a unique blogger. I say unique because Derek K. Miller is no longer alive. This was his last post before he died hours later at the age of 41 after a decade struggle with

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-41262062404984197102011-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:002011-05-16T10:23:31.871-07:00

THE LIGHT DUSTING OF PINK on the street is a sign that fresh green leaves will soon unfurl to replace this arch of blossoms in Kitsilano.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-54809939280476304352011-05-09T13:00:00.000-07:002011-12-09T09:09:07.281-08:00

THE PIG WITH WINGS that my daughter gave me this Mother’s Day is a gift she knew I would appreciate.The tiny glass ornament represents a theme that is somewhat similar to our own fictional character, Penelope Puddle. Penelope the Piggie also tends to fly in the face of the can't-do crowd.The phrase, “When pigs fly!” is an old expression that speaks to the near impossible odds of overcoming

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-79485069649100265982011-05-04T06:50:00.000-07:002011-12-10T07:05:06.268-08:00

Submitted to Wordless Wednesday.Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-2430203327715052832011-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-03T08:13:52.621-07:00

READY OR NOT it is time to vote in my world. Brochures from various political parties have fully landed on Canadian doorsteps. Voting is a right many take for granted. But recent struggles from around the globe, where people are literally dying to mark a ballot, renewed my appreciation of the privilege. The electorate seemed unenthusiastic at the start, particularly since the last federal

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-89213309703071799312011-04-25T06:55:00.000-07:002012-01-14T10:38:20.592-08:00

CLINGING TO A SPACE that yearns to be green, the foliage growing in a vertical garden at the Semiahmoo Library and RCMP Facility in South Surrey is off to a healthy start. The idea came to bloom in September of 2010.Said to be the largest of its kind in North America, the almost 3,000 square foot wall was planned to inhabit some 10,000 plants of over 100 species and includes ground covers,

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-54971572553825786242011-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:44:57.126-07:00

MY WORLD is also your world that we share and will officially celebrate on April 22nd. This yearly homage to the natural environment started in 1970 and has had a growing impact on our attitudes towards the globe. Earth Day is a sign we are learning more about the green jewel we call home and our vulnerabilities in it. We are awakening to recycling and preservation needs and paying more attention

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-71543140349501180582011-04-14T14:45:00.000-07:002011-04-28T07:27:04.247-07:00

SPRING PETALS have a powerful allure when the day is dull. But the shy pink and snowy white flakes are already on the wane. Dusting blankets of confetti beneath trees ... they land helter-skelter on the grass and pavement ... dissolving into puddles of April showers. Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-69248962211026693612011-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-28T07:27:19.552-07:00

NO STRINGS WERE ATTACHED to me during a recent brisk walk on a windy day in my world. It was uplifting being out in the fresh chilly air. And it wasn’t just the breeze that tousled the clouds, cords, foliage and trees. I also noticed manmade metal contortions were twisted and entwined. Bendable wire in the shape of a basket clung to an old bicycle in a front yard garden. Thin spokes were strung

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-50864090033803885412011-04-08T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-08T08:34:58.868-07:00

IT IS ELEVATING to go down 1001 Steps to the beach in Ocean Park, BC. Bird chatter, salty foam slapping the rocky shore below and a rustling of creatures beneath the canopy of bare trees are spellbinding sounds broken by the clatter of an occasional train coming down the track. Newborn leaves are slowly unfurling in the forest ... painting dusky browns and soulful grays ...a bright spring green.

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-44114365589234943472011-04-04T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-07T07:39:19.852-07:00

HOMEMADE ORIGINALS, not stamped out by the thousands, hold even more significance when the hands that create them belong to someone special. My mom enjoyed needlework and gathering threads to make one-of-a-kind items she hoped would be useful to her children in their future homes. Were she alive today, I think she would be pleased to see her efforts are not forgotten. I appreciate her handy-work

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-19117073480472460832011-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-01T10:17:00.656-07:00

IT IS NICE TO SIT DOWN and enjoy the view. This welcoming new bench at Kwomais Point Park in Ocean Park, Surrey, BC, replaced … the old bench that was fashioned out of wooden planks. I miss seeing the warm and woodsy character bench where I used to sit. Perhaps it is being used elsewhere and not demolished. Its disappearance is part of the ongoing reconstruction phase to make the park more

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-89103602865144676812011-03-28T06:17:00.000-07:002011-12-22T05:17:32.357-08:00

EASTER CELEBRATIONS will take place throughout the world this coming April. Surrey, BC, is no exception. Many families attend church during this religious time. Because the area attracts people from across the globe, it is a multicultural community with many denominations from which to choose.When I spotted this charming church a few weeks ago in the Whalley district of Surrey, I knew I would

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-34966306020709556922011-03-22T00:00:00.000-07:002011-03-29T10:22:49.464-07:00

IN SEARCH OF THE FULL MOON on Saturday, March 19th, my husband and I took an evening drive along Marine Drive in White Rock, BC. There was much talk about the “Super Moon” being its closest to the earth since 1993. According to experts, the full moon is normally about 238,000 miles from the planet. But on this day it would be some 221,567 miles from earth.We soon spotted the glowing orb among the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-66523567191441063652011-03-21T05:00:00.000-07:002011-03-29T10:24:19.379-07:00

THE DILAPIDATED BUILDING might be in any impoverished country of the world. Yet it sits by an alley in Whalley, a district of Surrey, southeast of Vancouver, BC, in Canada, a relatively wealthy part of the globe.Some might want to know how Whalley got in such a shabby state. I learned it started innocently enough in 1925 when a man named Arthur Whalley bought three acres of land in North Surrey.

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-89182586083642595332011-03-17T08:33:00.000-07:002011-12-10T07:08:43.404-08:00

THE TINY SUNSPOT ON THE PAVEMENT shows the sun did, indeed, break through yesterday for a few hours in a sudden burst of spring. After much wind and rain, people were drawn like magnets to the Semiahmoo Bay area at Kwomais Point Park in Ocean Park, BC.The horizon is never dull no matter what the weather or season. From minute to minute the sky movements and seashore hues change to reflect the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-19125458861828823012011-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:002011-03-17T09:07:37.283-07:00

A LONE MAN WALKS with his umbrella beneath the Skytrain track (pictured above) in North Surrey. The persistent rain, wind and unsettling weather conditions make us want to cover up in southwest BC. But no amount of umbrellas can cover up bad news days such as those coming from Japan in the aftermath of the March 11th quake. The mood is gray as natural disasters coupled with manmade errors are

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-63888747224160996332011-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:002011-03-14T06:32:26.333-07:00

THE ENTIRE WORLD MUST BE SHAKEN by the unfathomable destruction caused by the 8.9 magnitude quake in the coastal area of Japan and the subsequent tsunamis that swept away everything in its path. Houses and cars looked like toys in the grip of the monster wave that spread across the Pacific Ocean. My sympathy went to the victims as I watched the televised images in horror from faraway coastal BC.

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-89021248085812507252011-03-12T06:22:00.000-08:002011-09-03T08:19:40.147-07:00

HOW DOES ONE CAPTURE THE WIND in a photograph? Scattering leaves when the breeze whips through trees or an inverted umbrella rolling down the street provide visuals of its unseen power. Recently, my windsock captured the wind that briskly blew over Surrey. In fact, I discovered two windsocks thanks to the reflection of the original on my patio glass door. My double rainbow reminded me of the

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-4080606699484957702011-03-07T06:00:00.000-08:002011-12-06T05:50:28.466-08:00

MY WORLD included a recent trip into the Whalley community of North Surrey, BC, for an appointment. I noticed a pretty church there and could not resist taking its picture.The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary stands alone alongside an empty lot. A highrise looks down at it from a distance. This relatively small church has an aura of historical charm.The design of steeples and domes

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-21081764729897391662011-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:002011-12-20T03:28:43.468-08:00

MY WORLD is shivering from its coldest February in decades. Kitsilano like many areas in southwest BC was visited by snowfall last Saturday. Many streets in this quaint Vancouver community are lined with older homes. The fresh flakes added authenticity to a neighborhood known to keep Christmas and Valentine glitter alive year-round (click twice to see a heart in the photo).My husband and I were

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-23621104475592783142011-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:002011-03-04T05:35:30.793-08:00

MY WORLD often takes me to Kwomais Point Park in Ocean Park, BC. I am captivated by the subtle changes I find there. Sometimes the bay, sky and stretch of land on the horizon merge into one curtain of color. On this day a smudge of slate blue floated onto the scene.The brooding watercolor sky was in an uncertain mood. Its cover of cloud spit out a few bristly raindrops.Onlookers were a little on

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-27159860884846741902011-02-19T08:43:00.000-08:002011-02-28T07:25:12.365-08:00

THEY SAY THERE IS NO POINT in crying over spilt milk but how about spilled pickled beets? As I prepared dinner last night, I admit wanting to shed a tear or two when I lost my grip and caused blood-red beet juice to splatter all over the kitchen cupboards and floor. What a mess! Luckily, the glass jar didn’t break. However, now there is a gash in the linoleum to remind me that it is not always

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-5070999344841914042011-02-15T07:40:00.000-08:002011-02-16T07:00:49.485-08:00

THE WHITE FURRY CRITTER that showed up in my backyard in Surrey, BC, the other day was totally unexpected. Squirrels of beige, black, brown and gray have scampered along the climbing ivy, swishing their tails. But this is my first sighting of the white variety. Apparently, they are more common in eastern Canada. As the video link shows, white squirrels even inspired a song and have become a

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-50171918996505443612011-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:002011-11-26T08:34:09.862-08:00

MY WORLD LAST WEEK included meeting two fellow bloggers for afternoon tea at a restaurant in White Rock, BC. After hugs and greetings, we sat down at a beautifully set table that reminded me of a picnic in an elegant spring garden. Chancy’s Tea Cozy was brimming with charm. The sandwiches and pastries we ordered were delicious and the tea choices were overflowing. The good food and cheerful

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208959268136388191.post-21026764723296700192011-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:002011-07-16T11:44:12.698-07:00

THERE WAS NO RAIN or snow … just the sun casting shadows and a pale glow. It was a cold and cloudless afternoon last week when I took a stroll around Ocean Park in Surrey, BC. In the distance, I could see a wintry cap of white on Mt. Baker. The volcanic mountain in the United States was visible from the Canadian border region of Surrey where I stopped to take a picture.I was glad there was no

aka Penelopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965692242969563279noreply@blogger.com14