RAIN POURED down relentlessly in Vancouver when I went there to the Eye Care Centre. Reports say that the current soggy weather is due to what is euphemistically called the
Pineapple Express, a stream of moisture traveling (as if from a sprinkler hose) to the West Coast of BC from faraway Hawaiian shores. While waiting for an appointment I took some blurred photos of people quickly passing by. Umbrellas were popping up everywhere.
Two Canadian geese on an umbrella shaped roof got a bird's eye view of the scene. Water rolled down their feathery backs but they didn't seem to get wet. I envied their perspective because the sights I wanted to capture were a fair distance away across a busy street filled with obstacles.
This woman dashing to a car didn't have an umbrella but most did.
Umbrellas hovered over slick streets like discs from outer space.
They spun, swayed and bobbed amid the traffic ...
and splashed blue skies onto the gray day.
Some sprang up like wildflowers.
Others looked like spiraling gates with bars to keep the rain out.
Many were faded black while others flew open in a burst of color.
Some floated behind hedges in a dreamy display.
A few were broken.
Some showed how green it can get in BC thanks to the rain.
Umbrellas were most often held loosely over shoulders and heads ...
some lined up in military fashion along watery roads.
Several people huddled in hooded jackets with no umbrella in hand.
This umbrella brushed a rainbow across some glass when it passed.
Once inside I saw umbrellas folded, flopped down and squeezed into corners like discarded mops. I admit rain can ruin a nice hairdo and get your clothes sopping wet. But isn't it odd that no one was running about with childish glee saying yippee to the drops? Nobody was stomping in puddles or feeling carefree about getting soaked in what was a relatively warm shower for this time of year. Everyone was in a hurry to get somewhere they were not. As for me, I worried my camera would get damaged by the dampness and lamented that I was missing out on dozens of good shots keeping it out of harm's way.
I agree with the words expressed in an old television series
Leave It To Beaver,
"You're never too old to do goofy stuff." And although I didn't jump up and down in the rain, I was ridiculously excited to see this fleet of umbrellas break through the clouds that gloomy day and put on a show as if just for me.
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
.jpg)
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
THE UMBRELLA AND RAINBOW PURSE were inseparable. The pair belong to my friend Kay from An Unfittie's Guide To Adventurous Travel who visited the West Coast recently. I couldn't help notice that the inanimate objects at her side had vivid personalities all their own. They looked as comfortable together as salt and pepper and peaches and cream and reminded me of a happily married couple.
The umbrella hovered over the purse handling it with care. "Keep searching," it seemed to say.
"I am sure your keys are in there somewhere, dear."
Wherever the adorable pair stopped, the purse beamed as brightly as a pot of gold. And the Monet inspired umbrella leaned into a hug as if to say to the people nearby, "We missed you and think we will stay for a while."
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.
Amanda lived an active optimistic lifestyle despite the illness and bouts in the hospital. She passed away at age 24 leaving a huge imprint in our lives. In fact, the original printing of With My Umbrella, I Can … The Magical Journey of Penelope Puddle was dedicated to Amanda and her energetic spirit.
Management of the disease has improved significantly since CF was officially recognized in the 1930s. Hope for a cure refuses to fade for the surprisingly common genetic illness that affects mainly the lungs. Although life expectancy has increased, there is a great deal more to do. That's why some 500 people, sharing the same goal, worked their legs at the annual fundraiser.
Although the event last May was held at a different family friendly location, a great choice this year was Queen's Park. I haven't visited in quite a while and had forgotten how the mature trees reminded me of giant leafy umbrellas.
The weather was warm and the forest was the perfect setting not only to walk but to play. There were places to slide, swing and climb.
There was a craft table where children explored their artistic sides.
I realized nothing could top nature's art ...
when I saw the proud peacock nearby.
Its pretty feathers were eye-popping to say the least.
School children also entertained outdoors with plays, dance and song.
A pet with lovely long lashes (click photo for detail) dressed for the occasion.
This fellow was not at all sheepish about being touched.
The Petting Zoo included a pair of adorable piglets.
The sun glinted on the ripples the ducks made in the pond at the park.
It was fun to cool off in the water ...
especially when running through the blast of sprinklers.
The Rainbow Playland theme fit the fundraising mood ...
where a real pot of gold would be to find the cure for Cystic Fibrosis.