West Coast Scenes by Maria Pavlik aka Penelope

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A Minute To Reflect

- October 19, 2019

I have only just a minute,
Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it.
But it’s up to me
to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it.
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute,
but eternity is in it.

The recent unfortunate passing of a much-loved and admired American politician, Elijah Cummings, reminded us of the poem by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays that Cummings so gallantly once read on the Congress floor.

The words resonate more than ever. Time can be relative. And even when some minutes feel long, the unstoppable hours and years slip through our fingers quickly like sand. While most days consist of pretending we're not mere flecks dancing on a speck in a universe vast beyond understanding, we've been granted a few empty minutes to do with as we please. I have great respect for these "little" minutes, although I'm not sure I fill them wisely. If you fill each one well and pile enough of them together, sandcastles are built, insurmountable odds overcome and boundaries brightened.

The fence was painted only with sunflowers until Jessica came along using her minutes to bring in more beautiful blooms. I doubt Cummings was big on fences but he probably would have loved the diversity of the flowers.

See OUR WORLD to explore more sights from around the globe.

Still the kid I used to be

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle and Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride to view more West Coast scenes.

Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

A Special Plank At The Rebuilt White Rock Pier

- September 22, 2019

Saturday's official ribbon cutting and opening was ahead of schedule nine months after last year's storm that I wrote about HERE.

There is more work to do and millions of dollars more to spend to finish the job but pedestrians are glad to access the historic pier that's been through a lot and is adored by the community. For many an early morning stroll over the watery shore is a ritual that was sorely missed.

Although reconstructed, you can see where part of the pier (below) had split by the span where there are no arches with lantern-style lighting.

The City of White Rock, with its iconic boulder namesake, welcomed the patter of feet back on its pier as it had done for over a century. Along the way, the seaside city was delighted to learn the pier was likely the longest of its kind in Canada at 470 meters.

There were speeches made and, due to enormous support, many organizations and people to thank. Government and fundraisers of all sorts sped up rebuilding. Some donor concrete-reinforced planks were priced at $1,000 a piece.

Dignitaries and princesses were in attendance. While some listened intently, others played on the nearby rock.

The painted white 486-ton chunk of granite on the beach is a magnet for mini mountain climbers causing some to fear that the human traffic will eventually diminish its size. This glacial erratic inspired a romantic legend you can read about HERE.

Neither boulder nor beach can be reached by land without crossing the increasingly busy railway track that was uncharacteristically silent during the event. It's the same line that so often blocks access to nearby Crescent Beach.

Suddenly a mournful sound wailed.

Crowds followed the bagpiper to the pier.

The ribbon was cut and people flowed in.

I was glad to see new fire extinguishers were part of the repair.

Houses on the hill and apartments hovered over the scene upon return to shore.

There were games to play on the lawns by the beach.

Talented musicians added their festive flair.

A lone boat bobbed in the bay seemingly unmoved by events and a starfish clung to its watery realm below, oblivious to the activities above yet impacted by them.

See OUR WORLD to explore more sights from around the globe.

Still the kid I used to be