Saturday, March 12, 2011

Blown Away By Double Rainbows

HOW DOES ONE CAPTURE THE WIND in a photograph? Scattering leaves when the breeze whips through trees or an inverted umbrella rolling down the street provide visuals of its unseen power. Recently, my windsock captured the wind that briskly blew over Surrey. In fact, I discovered two windsocks thanks to the reflection of the original on my patio glass door. My double rainbow reminded me of the well-known video that went viral.

I wasn't quite as excited as the man in the video. But it was fun to watch my windsock being flung about in the breeze.

I stepped outside to record its many movements.

The simple windsock conveyed a mood for every motion as it swam the sky.

Sometimes it looked as if it had legs and would run away.

When it couldn't find freedom or get unstrung it got frazzled.

Mostly, however, it performed a buoyant dance with its mirror image.

My worn out windsock eventually escaped from its partner in the glass. Peering down from the roof above, it seemed to say, aha free to rest at last!

See more weekend reflections from around the world here.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Feast For Body & Soul In Whalley

MY WORLD included a recent trip into the Whalley community of North Surrey, BC, for an appointment. I noticed a pretty church there and could not resist taking its picture. The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary stands alone alongside an empty lot. A highrise looks down at it from a distance. This relatively small church has an aura of historical charm.

The design of steeples and domes give it a European flair. It looks like a gem amid its more contemporary surroundings. But in contrast to the early church structures of Europe, it is far from ancient.

Although the land it stands on was purchased in 1947, the church was constructed several years later and did not open its doors until 1964. It was registered as a heritage site in 1998.

I have not yet stepped inside this charming church. But online research shows its membership is very active in the community. Not only does the parish provide a feast for the soul, it also provides food for the body. Traditional Ukrainian dinners are available to the public at the adjacent hall (pictured at the link) the last Friday of most months. Perogies, borscht and cabbage rolls are currently sold Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm, whetting the appetite for entering the hall doors.

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

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms