Gems At The Bottom Of My World

STARS THAT GLITTER in the night sky and birds that swoop and glide as they fly have their glitzy glamour but gems can also be found further down.

Looking at the ground has its advantages. The tiny mosaics I recently captured tucked into a corner of a walkway can easily be missed.

The artist arrangement of colorful stones bordering the sidewalk (at right) are on the Surrey side of the street. The City of White Rock (where the apartment building is pictured) is on the opposite side. The much smaller community of White Rock is surrounded by South Surrey on three sides. The Semiahmoo Bay and First Nations Reserve bordering the US are on the other. The community of some 20,000 people rejected invites to join Surrey, the second largest city in British Columbia that wants to grow bigger.

As appealing as Surrey can be with its over 6,000 acres of parkland, White Rock takes pride in its independent status. This gardener does fine work tidying the tulips in the uphill portion of the city.

Upper and lower White Rock have a bevy of hills and grassy slopes from where to enjoy pretty seaside views. The railway winding along the lower portion (photo taken in winter of 2010) is in Canada. But perhaps due to a lack of foresight on behalf of Canada decades ago, the American BNSF Railway gained ownership of waterfront areas so White Rock must lease this land from the company for various purposes such as parking along Marine Drive.

Being nudged on all sides, it can't be easy to maintain a separate identity for this small city that nowadays has no industry other than tourism. But when something is worth keeping such as this natural geographical treasure, how can you not stay strong and stand your ground to remain autonomous.

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

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Piecing Together A Vision At Kwomais Park

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 Glover.

The fluidity and interconnectedness of the work was compelling. I was drawn to the "no beginning or end" aspects of its intricate design. It adorned the park like a beautiful bauble attached to a grand necklace.

There were circles within circles ...

and familiar creatures roamed the tiles.

Land, air, fire and sea were all represented.


Details captured the water's edge environment perfectly,

paying homage to the wildlife that nests yearly above in the trees ...

and that swims magnificently in the bay below.

Taking several pictures of the work, I regretted not photographing a large prayer circle of simple stones removed months ago during reconstruction of the park that was once a church camp for children. Thanks to the directions on this mosaic I can say that the former circle was on the western side.

It wasn't easy tearing myself away from the spell of the patterns.

Heading home along the forest path I saw more natural connections.

Worn out shrubbery, evergreens and leafless trees wove a messy tapestry.

The circle of life was visible all around me as I stepped through the dissolving unkempt litter of fallen leaves.

I was glad to have had those solitary moments with the mosaic and plan to visit it regularly before the official reveal at a grand opening next spring.

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

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

What Drives Fame In Our World?

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 though they were family or good friends. Many had an impact on society or became icons of cultural shifts.

Since the vehicles obstructing the mural could not be hung out of the way like the ones I saw at a mall recently, I suggest visiting Lynette at Imagination Lane to enjoy her photographs of the art minus the cars. Meanwhile, the wheels blocking my view made me wonder ... what drives fame.

I noticed a Canadian hero from BC on a corner of the wall. Terry Fox lost his leg and eventually his life to cancer in 1981 at the age of 22. His Marathon Of Hope raises funds for research to this day. Terry's unfinished journey across country with an artificial leg, his bravery, charisma and willingness to share frustrations captured our imagination. He wished for health, not fame, but gained respect and recognition due to his reaction to a tragic situation.

Some people blow us away with their seemingly god-given gifts, incredible talents or extreme acts of selflessness and ability to inspire.

Others travel beyond ordinary dreams and touch the stars or create life-changing gateways for mankind. Explorers, innovators and inventors of memorable commentary or captivating art earn our appreciation through dedication and hard work. Some (like Walt Disney in the cowboy hat) seem to play all day and get known for making characters like Donald Duck famous.

Donald seems completely unruffled by the fact that millions of children on the planet know his name. Undoubtedly some individuals get more than fifteen minutes of fame simply because they are cute or squawk a lot.

From athletes and artists to humanitarians and politicians, some achieve long lasting celebrity because they touched the human heart or showed vulnerabilities amid the sway of their powerful personalities.

We are moved and encouraged by people who refuse to be ignored or put down and fight relentlessly through obstacles to meet challenges. While some gain fame through fate others desperately seek and (on rare occasions) find it.

We can't help but marvel at those who rise from a sea of anonymity as we go about our daily humdrum lives. The fellow with a cap (pictured above) is also portrayed on the building. He appears to be carving a totem. I was told his name is Simon Charles, a respected artist that passed away in 2005 and was a friend to Keith Scott, the founder of Beachcomber Hot Tubs who commissioned the mural in 2000. I am reminded that few faces gain fame without less recognizable folk bringing the people they admire to the top.

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

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Wintry Hug In The Summer

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 street side of the building. Each time I drive by and glance at the collage of Olympic history, it brings back warm reminders of when there was considerable heat in the host city of Vancouver.

There were excruciating but mostly golden moments during the games when, ironically, south coastal BC was enjoying one of the mildest winters on record. We were wishing for lots of flakes on the mountains so sporting events could take place. Snow had to be trucked in at one point.

At lower elevations the weather was balmy and thousands of supporters and spectators of goodwill were outdoors enjoying peaceful celebrations. There was competition, of course, but friendly people from all over the world seemed to share one colossal group hug. We were closely connected back then like the multi-panels of winter images attached to the school wall this summer.

Explorers can find more sites from around the globe at My World.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Happy Wanderin' At Crescent Beach

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, uncovering the minute details of creatures normally undetected beneath the surface of daily life.

Her signature sandals seemed unscathed as we made our way to investigate the rocky and soggy shore during low tide at Boundary Bay.

There were mysteries to unravel beneath the slippery seaweed tangled along the spongy beach floor.

We sidestepped puddles and pools along our way trying not to trip.

This teeny sea creature at the palm of the hand has a technical name that Susannah would know. But to me (click on photo for detail) it looked like a miniature baby seal coming out of the shell.

Blue skies and cloud reflections played where the water gathered.

We spied a bridge over a moat to a sandcastle abandoned by children.

This monster cat was positioned to pounce.

A giant crab was overseeing rows of clam shells.

The scene reminded me of an army about to defend its kingdom.

With sand digging into our heels and photographs to ponder later, we took a new path in search of refreshment.

Clouds spilled on the wall of one local restaurant.

Along the side of another building ...

big "dinosaur" tree branches crept over the painted cement wall.

We stopped at Sunflower Cafe to find it was about to close for the day.

I peeked in to see Canuck t-shirts were for sale. Little did I know a riot would ensue that evening in Vancouver after the Stanley Cup hockey game.

My greeting cards for sale on the shelf were a little disheveled. It was nice to see they were being looked at now and again amid the jams and teapots.

We went to Esquires Coffee House down the road for tea and treats and chatted about our passions as bloggers and photographers. Thanks to the curious minds and joyful energy of the "Wanderin' Weeta" duo, it was an enriching experience "puddling" on a breezy afternoon at Crescent Beach.

Explorers can find more sites from around the globe at My World.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms