Shining A Spotlight On BC Fairies

FAIRIES HAVE CAPTURED the imagination of kids and grownups throughout the ages and I am no exception, particularly since it is time to find a word that begins with the letter "F" for ABC Wednesday. 

One rainy day I took another look at the fairies my daughter drew years ago. It's easy to become enchanted with the idea of tiny winged creatures mysteriously flitting about, barely seen, spreading goodwill and magic into the harsh realities of life. I developed my daughter's art further:

 

MAY YOUR DREAMS BLOOM!

In addition to Penelope Puddle drawings, my daughter created an abundance of fairy drawings which we copyrighted as BC Fairies. Some found their way into art cards. Some have names rooted in the fictional origins I created for them.
At a glance the fairies are easily mistaken for miniature birds, dragonflies or butterflies. They have flown from all parts of the globe, risking the ravages of weather and distance, to settle in the rainforests of coastal British Columbia. The little litterbugs love to scribble notes that they usually scatter outdoors. Some fairies have narrowly missed being seen inside the homes of unsuspecting humans in need of an uplifting message.

BC Fairies look small and frail but their traits make them largely invincible. The names, interpretations and origins of nine fairies are: Elsa, Noble, Germany; Muriel, Shining Sea, Ireland; Abril, Open, France; Halla, Unexpected Gift, South Africa; Alegria, Cheerful, Spain; Tori, Bird, Japan; Zola, Peace On Earth, Italy; Raya, Sweetly Scented, Saudi Arabia; Letitia, Joyful Leap, England.

Some dictionaries mention a goddess/fairy connection:

Main Entry: Fairy

Pronunciation: 'far-E, 'fer-

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural fair·ies

Etymology: from Latin Fata, goddess of fate

My brand of fairies have unique characteristics of their own. In addition to the name BC Fairies being suggestive of the large coastal transportation fleet known as BC Ferries, here are a few key points:

1 a : BC Fairies believe humans possess inner wings that when tapped into enable them to do surprising things of magical proportions b : notable BC Fairies are nine mystic creatures from different parts of the globe who settled in the enchanted West Coast rainforests of British Columbia c : each fairy has a unique characteristic that humans also possess d: the fairies scatter messages to awaken people to their own gifts and powers ready to be unfurled

BC Fairies don’t stay still for long and I confess I need to incorporate some of their motivation into my creative life. All rights are reserved for BC Fairies but future projects will fly only when my own wings, struggling, unfold.

BC Fairies All Rights Reserved

Fairies and ferries showcase the letter "F". If you think words are Fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.

Postscript: This post was originally published in February, 2012

BC Fairies images refreshed and updated in July, 2025

Copyright by Maria Pavlik

Runaway Rainbows In My Room

THEY ARE IMPOSSIBLE to grasp as they flit about the room dancing on walls and snuggling in corners from ceiling to floor. It only takes a speck of sunshine to seep through the crystal at my window for the show to begin.

The ornament refracts light similarly to a raindrop. Dozens of wee rainbows flutter like butterflies in a wink of an eye. Red, yellow and green-blue wisps run around the house as if escaping from magic lanterns. When thinking of words that begin with "R", dreamy rainbows easily come to mind. The illusive creation has charmed mankind throughout the ages and inspired hope for better outcomes in weather as well as in life. It is no wonder that when Penelope Puddle waves her umbrella, a rainbow bursts out.

The rainbow is a popular symbol for numerous causes and objectives. This coming together of differing hues has been used to illustrate harmony in diversity. It is also said that a rainbow has a treasure at its end. But whether this myth represents an unattainable goal or a reward at the end of a difficult road, it is only part of the attraction.

As someone wisely once said: “Don't miss all the beautiful colors of the rainbow looking for that pot of gold.”



Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

This post showcases the letter "R" for rainbow, room and runaway. If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.

The Quid Rocks!

THE QUID are a cool rock band that gained success during the Garage Band era in Winnipeg. My husband, Bill, is the very young lead guitar player seen standing in the middle of the photo holding his Gretseh electric guitar. A careful look shows an imitation shrunken head hanging over the drum to suggest edginess in their music. The band went through several stages as it evolved. My husband composed the instrumental Mersyside that can be heard here inspired by the British/American music invasion of the 60's.

Other members of The Quid (as seen sitting in the photo) are drummer Lenny Fidkalo on the left, bass player Morley Nichols on the right and guitarist Colin Palmer in the middle who remains my husband's lifelong friend.

Sadly, Ron Rene the lead singer standing next to my husband passed away suddenly a few years ago. Ron's voice can be heard singing Crazy Things here. Ironically, when Ron took a break from the music scene in his prime, the famed Guess Who, also from Winnipeg, wrote a song titled Friends of Mine that with hindsight might have foreshadowed Ron's too early passing with the line: " ... and fade away like Ron Rene."

Information about the Quid can be found at the Manitoba Music Museum.

Most recently, band members were surprised to discover their timeless Quid tunes were included in a compilation album of early garage rock.

When looking for a word beginning with "Q" for ABC Wednesday, The Quid came to mind as the quintessential rock group of a bygone era.

Penelope Puddle Meets A Rainbow

PENELOPE PUDDLE is an imaginary character my daughter began painting when she was small. She might have been inspired by the stories I used to tell about a little girl named Penny and her favorite teddy bear. Merging those adventures with the rainy West Coast weather, the drawings depict a little girl with unruly hair who wears a raincoat and a cap pulled over her head. With rare exceptions, the teddy bear is not there and Penelope explores the outdoors with her treasured sidekick umbrella.

Over the years I preserved these bits of drawings and paintings gifted to me on special occasions. I developed the concept further and adapted the art into handcrafted greeting cards, calendars and booklets. Brimming with ideas for the future I have had endless hours of fun with the character.

You could say Penelope Puddle is the imaginary friend I never had as a child. I am hooked on this little girl who is a creative outlet for me as well as a therapeutic tool to help weather life's storms.

When thinking of a word starting with “P”, a painting of Penelope holding her teddy bear instead of the umbrella comes to mind. I took a picture of it one day when a crystal ornament at my window caught a sunbeam and washed a rainbow over the painting hanging on a nearby wall.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

This post showcases the letter "P" for Penelope Puddle and painting. If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.

Opportunities & The Outdoors In My World

OUR WORLD AND THE OUTINGS we take come to mind as April flows to its conclusion. I went on several outings throughout the month gathering images that caused me to pause, reflect and simply enjoy. Among the fragments, it was not unusual to see windless sailboats grounded at low tide on overcast days at Elgin Heritage Park in Surrey. The potential to sail was there but like life sometimes depended on the right conditions and opportunities.

I often walked past this inviting seat encircled by branches of a willow tree. I have yet to sit on that bench but I envision my husband and I having a picnic lunch there one day as the weather gets warmer.

I watched birds hungrily dip into feeders meant for smaller birds ...

and wondered what caused yellowish blotches to invade these birch trees.

I smiled at this sign of love for a special dad ...


and hoped the brunette Barbie doll would find the child who left it behind.

It was odd how shadows from branches cast ink-blue reflections in the water.

During a brief visit to False Creek in Vancouver, I saw one boat ready to float but in need of someone to paddle.

From a distance I could see the rotating restaurant that looks like a UFO. There are also business offices in this unique building where my husband used to work. Fond memories of those fleeting years flooded back.

Back in Surrey at Elgin Park I heard geese squabbling. One had just finished chasing a third goose away. I couldn't distinguish between them and it was impossible to tell if the best bird won this fight.

Further down the Nicomekl River it was still too cold to dip my toes in the delicate ripples carved by a passing speedboat.

In Ocean Park I spied a work crew beyond some brambles buttressing a crumbling cliff near where a home is perched by the 1001 Steps.

Greenery was springing up everywhere as I headed down the stairs. There is a train track at the bottom of steps that gives a sense of adventure. I love the sound of a train whistle and the rumbling of wheels on the tracks.

Ironically, although the railway is in Canada, the property is owned by the American BNSF (formerly Great Northern) Railway. BNSF also has ownership of the waterfront property in the nearby Canadian border town of White Rock as well as below the 1001 Steps to the Mud Bay area in Surrey. I found no clear explanation as to how this came about. It is rumored that decades ago the Crown leased and/or possibly eventually gave the land to the US company.

Consequently, a portion of the former train station in White Rock (now a museum), its promenade and parking lots are all on land that is leased from (instead of by) BNSF at considerable cost to the little seaside community. It seems Canada fumbled the ball, White Rock is paying the price and the railway seized an opportunity in the early years.

When searching for words that begin with "O" for ABC Wednesday, I thought of my journey outdoors, opportunities taken and not, ownerships and oddities as well as the Our World Tuesday team that gives people a place and an opportunity to share their experiences and travels.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Nature & Its Magic Carpet Side

A STROLL THROUGH NATURE can feel like traveling through tapestries woven with fabulous fabrics and threads pulled from fringes of the environment.

Casting its spell at every corner, nature as art comes to mind when searching for a word that begins with "N". Swirling patterns snake through muted browns dabbed with green. Creatures (can anyone spot a real snake in the picture above?) blend into the scenery ...

and plantlife, like this caterpillar look-alike, model animal forms.

From floating charcoal grays to sunset bolds, every angle, shape and color takes us on a different magic carpet ride. The photo above of a September sky over Kwomais Point Park reminds me of a fingerpainting.

Whether gazing up at clouds or down at the art plastered to a road ...

nature leaves us starstruck with its range of colors and fleeting patterns.

Contrasting this carefully arranged collection of lovely shells glued on a car with the scattered shells below shows ...

brushing color onto canvas or molding sculptures out of clay rarely achieves the effortless symmetry of nature's random designs.

Whether viewed from near or far, nature's brushstrokes are messy, fluid and never contrived.

The haphazard compositions are appealing despite the clashes of textures and conflicting splashes of warm and cold palettes. Not surprisingly, the natural world beyond art is also a masterpiece of contradictions. As poet Horace expressed in ancient Roman times, "Nature is harmony in discord."

Artists throughout time have tried to replicate and also interpret nature with their own styles to convey their enchantment. American artist Milton Avery once said: "Nature is my springboard. From her I get my initial impetus. I have tried to relate the visible drama of mountains, trees, and bleached fields with the fantasy of wind blowing and changing colors and forms."

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

This post showcases the letter "N" for nature. If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.

The Mountains We Climb

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to appreciate the magnitude of a mountain at a distance. The coastal mountain ranges in BC as seen from Elgin Heritage Park are often veiled in a soft gray-blue haze and obscured by the cloudy weather.

It is only a few hours drive to reach some peaks available year-round for recreation. What looks harmless from afar has challenges when up close. Snow slides have occurred and each new turn can present a problem.

Mountain as a metaphor for the peaks and valleys that we all climb in life came to mind when searching for a word that begins with "M". Mental mountains are overcome daily in heroic fashion and valleys of tears have been shed. Sometimes we hit rock bottom and sometimes we reach the top.

Over the years I have had lofty dreams and ideals. Although I have not been much of a climber, I have soared over mountaintops in British Columbia and sailed the clouds in faraway Switzerland.

Along with the thrills, I have also made mountains out of molehills and can appreciate the sentiments expressed by writer Robert Service who famously said: "Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe." - Robert Service



Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

This post showcases the letter "M". If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.