A Kurios End To A Curious Year

WE WERE in luck despite dire warnings from the weatherman. Not a single flake fell during our drive to Vancouver to cash in on our Christmas gift, prime seats at the Cirque du Soleil. The sun shone and excitement built as we waited to see what was inside the trademark blue and yellow striped tent.

The show succeeded in crafting a world of wonders. The costumed characters were sublime in a topsy-turvy dream-like atmosphere where life fell between the cracks of the imagination and was upside down at times. What would one find in a mechanical nautical world of a different era where talented people wearing strange makeup and odd masks performed improbable physical tasks? Although pictures were not allowed, the images will linger in my mind.

The show was a fittingly curious end to a curiously confusing year, particularly on the political scene where the world was turned upside down and inside out.

Since reality is, indeed, in some ways relative and perception plays a role, perhaps the chaotic past year will one day be seen as a death-defying circus act that in the end had a safety net to bounce reality into a better place. Wiser kinder actions in the world. Those are the feats I'll look for in the New Year.

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Painting A Brighter Future For The Planet

HOW CAN you not love this little guy? The endangered Western Painted Turtle was just one of the unique creatures featured during World Oceans Day celebrations at Blackie Spit Park in Crescent Beach.

The global initiative to promote a healthier planet came to local beaches this Sunday. Tents were set up and there were many displays by naturalists and environmentalists. We saw how eggs are nurtured and covered with wire to increase the chances of turtle survival.

Plush toy animals were for sale as fundraisers. I didn't check to see whether the markings on each toy was different from the next. Nature's creativity knows no bounds and, like fingerprints, each live painted turtle evolves with a different pattern on its underbelly.

The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society brought a falcon (above) to the event. The majestic bird had lost its eyesight while the monkey-faced barn owl (pictured below) permanently lost the use of its wing. The caring organization adopted the creatures in need.

It was early when my husband and I arrived. People were just starting to trickle into the event. The morning sun was already sizzling up the sea and sand and there was a party atmosphere.

Musicians and singers were warming up ... exercising their lungs and voices, filling the air with their jubilant sounds.

I snatched a few seconds of song from the folks below ...

and made a very "mini movie" out of it. Since I don't know the name of the group, I call them the Three Musical Musketeers.

On my best days I feel like Mr. Bean does in the inspiring comedic clip (below) from a movie. Check it out, it will surely make you smile:

The scene, enriched by the voice of French composer Charles Trenet, stars a gleeful Mr. Bean who is not at all desensitized to the wonders of the world that some people are so passionately trying to preserve.

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Winging To Vancouver's Gastown

THIS PIG WITH WINGS that my daughter gave me on 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 flies in the face of the can't-do crowd.

When pigs fly is an old expression that speaks to the near impossible odds of overcoming difficult situations and achieving challenging goals. In a world where dreams are often dashed and a meaningful life of longed-for achievements rarely seems realized, a can-do reminder is encouraging.

Heading to Gastown in Vancouver for Mother's Day dinner yesterday, I saw a sign that shows the high hopes of some are on a more global scale. Minimizing pollution is a great dream and a grand goal that many folk share.

The water taxi floating on False Creek and the surrounding apartments were reminders that toying with our natural world requires a balanced approach to the environment.

Trees clothed with blossoms softened the city streets. Fallen petals covered both grass and concrete.

As our car sped over the Cambie Street Bridge I saw that the Cirque du Soleil was in town. The acrobatic group in the white tents were sure to put on a spectacular show.

Ongoing construction included a new roof for BC Place, a huge stadium at the heart of the city.

Historic weaponry was exhibited along our way. Some might think when pigs fly when I suggest our current weapons and battles will be obsolete one day.

Finally we reached our destination. Gastown is a historic area of Vancouver that fell on hard times in the 1930s to be revitalized in more recent days.

An increasingly popular tourist hotspot, shops and restaurants merge with updated older heritage buildings and new office structures and residences.

Gastown is named after an entrepreneur known as Gassy Jack who opened a saloon in the 1800s as a retreat for nearby millworkers. It was a successful venture that expanded the Water Street area until the Great Depression when it disintegrated into a respite for the desperate and homeless.

Today the area has come full circle. There is a hubbub of activity and an atmosphere that is bright and airy ... rain or shine.

Since one never knows when showers will fall, cheery umbrellas are available for purchase as well as decoration.

This flowing fish fountain seemed appropriate in a nook along Water Street.

We arrived at The Old Spaghetti Factory. This restaurant chain across Canada has a decor that suits Gastown's historic theme perfectly.

Inside, a kaleidoscope of stained glass provided delicious eye candy.

The gorgeous colors were difficult to capture.

The lamps were dripping in bright hues.

The crowds were huge and there was a long waiting list. Eventually, we were seated in the indoor train portion of the restaurant.

More glass glittered when looking out from inside the train.

We were definitely hungry and you could say we truly enjoyed "pigging out" on the heaps of tasty spaghetti we ordered for dinner.

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Let Water Solutions Flow

THE WETTER THE BETTER! How can this site, inspired by a little character named Penelope Puddle who simply thrives on water, not be excited about a new venture by Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberté?

Working to save the planet one drop at a time, it is obvious Laliberté never lost his childlike wonder or extreme creative thinking. He recently launched One Drop Foundation that deals with clean water and poverty issues. AND he did it from space!

The Foundation is poised to break the dam that sustains world water woes. The goal is to raise funds and let knowledge and hands-on solutions flow to all parched corners of the globe.

Canada is one of the highest water users per capita in the world. Due largely to the luck of geography, we take long showers, clean drinking water and frequent hand washing for granted. It is perhaps fitting then that a high-profile and popular Canadian "clown" is determined to quench the thirst of families populating less fortunate parts of the globe.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms