All In A Flutter At Camp Alexandra

COMMUNITY volunteers devoted several days to rejuvenating Camp Alexandra buildings and grounds for a popular festival on May 25th at Crescent Beach. Beneath the fluttering flags and amid the paint, spit and polish and freshly mowed lawns, there will be celebratory music, creative corners and lots of family fun.

The 39th annual event brought back memories of when my daughter was small and the giggly excitement we shared at the fair.

I had a chance to drop in at the event after starting this post. The mood this year was as lively as ever.

The sun broke through the rainy start to the day and beamed on the colorful artistic and cultural displays.

These dancers wearing ornate costumes were preparing to go on stage.

Whiffs of different foods mingled with the clatter of music.

Vendors were everywhere and for the most part their items for sale were displayed neatly. However, I think it is safe to say that this community party and break from routine created a heap of chaotic fun for everyone.

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Pondering The Improbable Sky

HIGH UP on a tree branch at Kwomais Point Park an eagle watched the pre-sunset sky.

Clouds rolled lazily over the darkening sea. I wondered if the bird was as spellbound as I was by the grandeur before us.

The horizon was just beginning to turn a rosy hue and infinity stretched out far beyond our view. I thought of the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield who until recently gazed at earth's sky from his perch in a spacecraft. His fascinating journey increased the wonder most of us share when we stare at the sky.

As science fiction author Ray Bradbury once said, "We are an impossibility in an impossible universe.”

It seems marvelous yet unbelievable to me that random specks of improbable life can not only witness, ponder and explore but also inwardly soar when awestruck by what it sees.

See more impossible horizons from around the globe at Skywatch.

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Surprising Discoveries Down The Rabbit Hole

THIS COLOURFUL painter's palette by the side of the road caught my eye when I was running errands in Ocean Park one Saturday afternoon.

Although I didn't plan to take in an art show, something compelled me to step inside the community hall where creative members from A Breath Of Fresh Art happened to be showing their work.

The first person I noticed was a local artist and friend. I hadn't chatted with Carolynn Doan for quite some time so it was a nice surprise to see her there and to catch up on the news. Turns out she's not only a terrific artist but a prolific thought-provoking writer. I learned about her blog The Tao In Art and looked forward to visiting it soon.

After exploring the work of others and snapping a final picture of a basket filled with Carolynn's bird drawings, I set off for my next destination.

I did not expect to see another bird later that day when I took a spontaneous walk through the forest at Kwomais Point Park.

I have heard this owl hoot for many months if not years without ever actually seeing it. What a pleasure it was to find it perched in the branches. The thick greenery of the forest surrounding the bird gave it an emerald glow.

Soon after, I stumbled onto another sign. I followed its trail to discover a wedding underway at the bluff area of the park. I learned the theme of the wedding was "down the rabbit hole" from the Alice In Wonderland stories by Lewis Carroll. Although I did not know them personally, it was clear to me that the couple about to get married were imaginative and playful.

The white rows of chairs carefully positioned in the open air would soon be filled with people anticipating the arrival of the bride and groom.

I kept a respectful distance but was able to spot the Mad Hatter who (in keeping with the Alice theme) stood out significantly while sitting in his chair.

The wedding unfolded beautifully like the composition of a well conceived painting. The bride entered the scene in traditional white. There was no breeze to flutter her veil or cloud to keep the sun from her face.

The attendants looked lovely in their finery. Splashes of brilliant red sashes or shawls made the dresses of the bridesmaids come alive.

Casual strollers in the neighborhood, and even their pets, seemed enthralled by the unforeseen yet joyful event unfolding in their midst.

Penelope Puddle Meets A Rabbit

Although my day got off its intended path and I did not accomplish all I had planned, the impromptu moments of the afternoon lifted my spirits. As creator of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories A.A. Milne once said: “One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.”

To view more sights from around the globe visit Our World.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms