Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride: June 2013

Sunday, June 16, 2013

A Rose By Any Other Name ...

A ROSE by any other name would be just as sweet, according to Shakespeare, but this seemed particularly true when my daughter transformed the fragrant flower into a lovely little umbrella getting splattered by luscious raindrops. She also turned the petals into rosy ruffles for a tiny tutu worn by a ballerina fairy that she sketched.

I considered how the umbrella and ballerina might one day fit into my BC Fairies collection.

I am always a happy recipient of my daughter's creative endeavors but this recent combining of real, artistic and imaginary put my mind in a whirl.

Suddenly I had the urge to wade into the backyard garden where snippets of fluttering lavender appeared.

That is when I knew I had found the perfect fairy wings for some fanciful future project in my world.

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

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Focusing On A Positive Picture Of Life

PEOPLE undergoing a CT scan at the new Jim Pattison Outpatient Care Centre in Surrey are treated to an imitation sky that can produce some genuine optimism. Up there the sun is always shining and there is never a dark or gloomy day.

The calming scene over my husband’s head when he had a scan there recently was a pleasant surprise that gave him feelings of contentment … so much so that he was inspired to call me in to take a photograph of the magical ceiling.

What images and thoughts have been swirling through your mind lately? Bomb blasts at community events, a meteorite (large enough to have its own moon) hurling too close to the earth, tornadoes, killer diseases, and all sorts of heart-wrenching personal stories start each news day. This steady diet of disaster told through visuals can drain the joy right out of life.

I don’t want to bury my head in the sand but, on the other hand, there is something to be said for taking time to soak in the scenes that are serene in our world … whether by getting immersed in the tranquil skies at a medical facility or at Crescent Beach where my husband and I later enjoyed a walk.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to see more BC scenes.

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Drawings kids make for us are priceless and in rare cases escape refrigerator doors

MY WEST COAST daughter, Holly, was small when she painted Penelope (Penny) Puddle and her sidekick umbrella as a gift to me, a writer who evolved the character. Penelope is an original creation that represents the youthful can-do spirit in us all. She loves the BC outdoors where she can travel from sandy beach to snowy mountaintop in a day. Penelope thrives in the rainy season when her imagination grows best. She inspired a kid's book, greeting cards and this site which allows me to explore, create and participate in the broader universe of ideas.

Spellbound by books early

LEARNING TO READ was not easy but once I found meaning in the letters, a gateway to books and fantastic realms opened. Now I have fun creating my own stories for kids and grownups. Childhood art and stories instill the power of possibilities. As Albert Einstein once said: "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions." He also said: "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." I prefer the latter.

COUCH AND COMPANY

SNUGGLE into this spellbinding tale about a little girl named Rue who tumbles down the crevice of a second-hand couch to find buttons, coins and dust balls surprisingly animated and in fear of a hot-tempered bully. The highly descriptive prose could draw out some unexpected theatrical skills from parents when dramatizing the story aloud to children. The tiny town under siege inside the sofa and its remarkable residents offer an entertaining read with a quirky lesson. It will take teamwork and creative thinking to overcome the grouch hidden in the bouncy lettuce-green couch. (Short story, no illustrations.)