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Showing posts from 2019

Sunrise Gift-Wraps White Rock High Rise In New Day

- December 28, 2019

Golden Tower, Uptown White Rock, BC, Photo by Maria Pavlik

The rising sun crept through the low lying fog enveloping a skyscraper in the upper portion of the small City of White Rock. Its golden hue was a bit grimy due to the pollution that commonly hovers over where there is a high volume of traffic.

The stores were still closed and the parking lot was empty when I stopped to take a picture. The haze clung to the building like a fuzzy thought that lingers in the mind just before waking. From afar, it looked like a giant jar of sticky honey.

Its luminosity coupled with a lack of clarity signaled the beginning of an unknowable day where, despite planned certainties, something unforeseen, even wonderful, could happen. The New Year, like a new day, will have a towering range of possibilities in it. Anticipating the best for 2020, I borrow words from an anonymous poet who wrote, "Each new day, a gift to be opened, sunrise slowly unties it's ribbon of hope."

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.

Santa Is In The House & So Are We To Wish You A Merry Christmas

- December 14, 2019

You would think he was Elvis with all the excitement and attention Santa Claus was stirring when he entered the Historic Stewart Farmhouse in Surrey.

The event was designed to give folks the flavour of an old-fashioned Christmas but although the furnishings were of a different era the awe and joyful spirit was the same many still feel during this holiday season.

Amid sounds of Santa's booming laughter, there were treats of pudding and cookies to eat in the dimly lit cozy kitchen.

Sparkling lights outdoors guided folks into the authentically renovated heritage home.

There are several buildings on the property. The main house on what originally was a large working farm maintains a sense of elegant charm.

You can read its history HERE as well as see my earlier post about it HERE.

Tiny tots were especially enthralled not only by Santa but by harpist Leanne Page accompanied by her son on flute and guitar. The musical duo warmed the room with their magical interpretations of timeless seasonal classics.

Gathering later in another building to make crafts,

my niece and I glued bits and pieces of paper and shapes onto glass jars.

Once satisfied with our designs, a tea candle was lit and placed inside.

With glowing jars in hand, a group of us walked towards the heritage "barn" singing Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Santa was there, having left the first building, graciously available for a photo-op with two kids at heart.

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

Still the kid I used to be

Last Rose Of Summer

- December 07, 2019

A single rose in my garden survived this uncharitable season for flowers. I grasped its stem for a photograph. Later, searching for accompanying material, Safe In my Garden came into view. Written by John Phillips and recorded by his group, the famed Mamas and Papas of the sixties, the song still resonates. At that time, the Vietnam War caused political strife in America. It was the era of flower children but the tune will always be timely. There is a never-ending juxtaposition of calm and chaos in our world, destruction and re-mending. To me, the words symbolize the profound beauty and refuge that blooms when we make room in our hearts and minds for our own inner gardens. Listen to the brilliantly contrasting lyrics and harmonies HERE and below.

The lyrical first words of the song are as follows:

Written by John Phillips
(no copyright infringement is intended)

Safe in my garden
An ancient flower blooms
And the scent from its nature
Slowly squares my room
And its perfume being such
That it's causing me to swoon

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

Still the kid I used to be

Wrapped In & Enraptured By Nature

- November 25, 2019

There are times when I stand alone trying to convey how cozy the world can feel.

Yet now, when so many of the old leaves have disappeared, the autumn chill had me thinking of knitted wear and quilts as I walked along Sandy Trail in Crescent Beach.

Looking up, down and all around there were plenty of patterns and colours perfect for woolly sweaters and afghans to keep me warm. The foliage provided the fabric and a photo art's program provided "needles" and textures.

Berry red and crisp green shades could make a cheery blanket on a couch.

Sprigs of yellow delicate leaves could cover a pillow to cuddle.

Broad green leaves might work as a large bedspread ...

and who wouldn't want to sleep in a cloud?

Fluffs of white (above) would feel marsh mellow soft for scarf and mittens.

Faded browns melting into ground could make comfortable socks and slippers.

Crimson would ward off the gray in a coat and the grassy tans (below) could weave a cozy winter cap. The natural elements that shed and grow under our feet provide for life's physical needs as well as inspire creative imaginings.

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

Also check out Mosaic Monday.

Still the kid I used to be

Spooky Owl, Brainy Birds & Cool Cats

- November 02, 2019

It was Hallows' Eve early morning when what likely was a barred owl sitting on the fence stared at my window. In the dim light across the yard it looked like a spooky cat or a ghostly mop. From the side (below) it reminded me of a gray haired lady with a shawl wrapped over her head. I feared if I opened the window it would fly away but it didn't ... it was setting its hopes on some mice perhaps. This bird, sometimes called hoot owl, is said to have caused a decline in the less competitive northern spotted owl, also native to British Columbia. Occasionally, the two species forget their differences and co-mingle which is nice. Since Greek mythology, wide-open owl-eyes with their earnest expressions have exuded wisdom. But sorry Mr. or Ms. Owl, other birds might be wiser like the parrot and chicken in my post HERE.

Later, a cool cat carving with pumpkin eyes wickedly smirked as I walked by.

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

Still the kid I used to be

A New Day & Second Chance For A Beleaguered Leader

- October 26, 2019

I saw this "heart art" through the window of one of the stores we passed by at the lineup for a Trudeau event in Cloverdale the day before voting. It rained and umbrellas were out much like at a previous election event that I wrote about HERE.

As it turned out, it was a new day but with the same Liberal government in Canada after the October 21st election. Justin Trudeau won but lost seats after a contentious campaign where opponents pummeled him with his misdeeds from the distant past and mistakes of the last four years. Enough people opened their hearts, however, to give him a second chance as Prime Minister.

Liberal candidate, MP Gordon Hogg, destined to lose to a Conservative in his local riding, is the fellow (above) under the blue umbrella who lagged behind and didn't get a second chance. At the time of the event, he was cautiously hopeful in a tight race.

After waiting two hours in the rain in part due to someone in the crowd suddenly needing emergency medical care and an ambulance, Trudeau finally arrived. Running late, he was whisked in and out in minutes to his next destination.

From the back of the crowd I had limited chances of getting a decent shot, let alone a selfie. Someone in front of me took the picture below on my behalf with my camera.

Trudeau was garnering lots of affection from the folks in the crowd who were very excited to see him. Someone shouted, "We love you, Justin!" Haha, no, it wasn't me.

Red is the Liberal colour in Canada. I am glad a centrist Liberal "red" still runs through the country, although not represented in the oil richest provinces. Trudeau's mettle will be tested with an opposition Conservative Party dedicated to seeing him fail. He will need to find a sweet spot among those wanting to ban all oil production and those who want some small amounts of oil production while transitioning to new energy, to those wanting to grow the oil industry and haven't accepted the urgency of climate change.

I wish him luck. The bloom is off the rose for Trudeau but the flowering is still there.

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

Still the kid I used to be

A Moment Of Respect & To Reflect On The Minute

- 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 the much-admired American politician, Elijah Cummings, reminded me of a poem (above) by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays that Cummings so passionately once read on the Congress floor.

Time is granted in empty minutes to do with as we please as the years slip through our fingers all too quickly like sand. I have a great respect for these "little" minutes, although I'm not sure that I fill them adequately.

If you fill each one well and pile enough of them together, sandcastles can be built, insurmountable odds beaten and all manner of barriers and borders brightened.

I remember the Crescent Beach fence painted mostly only with sunflowers until an artist named Jessica recently used her minutes to add more beautiful blooms.

I doubt Congressman Cummings was big on fencing but he probably would have loved the diversity of the flowers so this post is my bouquet to honour his memory and life.

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

Check out more fences HERE.

Still the kid I used to be

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