The Raccoon Climbing Brigade

"The climb might be tough and challenging,but the view is worth it." Victoria Arlen

DO YOU see them? It wasn't easy for me to spot this youthful brigade of five raccoon brothers and sisters clawing way up a ragged maple tree that has seen better days. They camouflaged nicely amid the grayish/brown bark, leafy shadows and flashes of sunlight.

Although said to be nocturnal, these neighborhood critters remain active around the clock. Seeing five means there are likely 500 nearby. Their movements are sometimes comical and destinations repetitive similar to that of humans who routinely trek the same trails every day. Raccoons are trained to be great climbers almost from birth. Watch as one scales a 25-story building HERE.

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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.

The Fantastical Inner World & Artistic Expressions Of Margot Thomson

Painted images on canvas settled comfortably like ornaments on the grassy lawn at the Crescent Beach home of artist Margot Thomson who passed away this year from a brief illness. Her author husband, Ben Nuttall-Smith, put her vivid and extraordinary imagination on display, offering dozens of her paintings to the public for donations to Hospice. I wonder if you can guess which painting I took home.

See OUR WORLD to explore 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 Perfect Day

Stresses blind us to the beauty and mystery of existence. That is why a Van Gogh painting, a great film, stirring photography, poetry or song hold such meaning. Artistic creations flood our consciousness and carry us like a sparkling stream away from ourselves for a brief time. New perspectives seep into dusty deep corners of the mind where sleepy realization of life’s wonders reside. In a world of turmoil mostly human caused, I don’t want to bury my head in the sand but at the same time I don’t want to miss the awesomeness I tried to capture during a recent walk with my niece through Darts Hill Garden Park. The Darts family donated to the City of Surrey what began as a humble garden and grew into a grand collection of foliage over a 70-year period. Come walk with me through the garden, accompanied by a song you can link to at the bottom.

Hear Perfect Day written for "The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends" by Colin Towns. The actress is Niamh Cusack, the singer is Miriam Stockley and we are the wonderstruck listeners and seers.

See OUR WORLD to explore 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.