This photographic journal is by Maria Pavlik, co-creator of With My Umbrella, I Can: The Magical Journey of Penelope Puddle, in B.C., CANADA. (Header shot is by NASA.) “Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” - Yousuf Karsh
Pawns Wait & Isolate; Hearts & Stones Move Us
-
An anonymous person once said, “Chess isn’t always about winning. Sometimes, it is simply about learning and so is life.” What I am learning is that the pandemic is a big test of human perseverance and creativity to eventually vanquish this global threat.
Scientists and leaders ponder what to do next while housebound pawns, kings and queens do their part by staying in safe spaces as much as possible. During a solitary walk near home, I came upon giant chess pieces standing stiff as sentinels on the cemented squares of a driveway ... a little like us waiting to be moved.
Less surprising was heart art for essential workers on whom we rely.
These displays were everywhere.
Some were quite crafty.
Some dangled on branches ... others had notes written on them.
Not only hearts expressed appreciation. Rocks had something to say, too.
For a blissful feeling, link to inspirational rock art created by folks in the Langley area. These painted expressions tucked alongside pathways wait to be discovered like gifts. After watching the video and seeing chess pieces earlier, I was inspired to play a game with my husband. I can't guarantee this will happen to you, at least not with my husband, but your pursuit of some long forgotten goal could be renewed.
Hello, I love all the pretty hearts. I am very thankful for all those workers who are essential. The rock art is amazing, very creative and pretty. It is fun just finding a painted rock. Take care, enjoy your day and week ahead.
That's a wonderful analogy about the chess pieces, Penelope. I've never known a Penelope, do people call you, "Pen" or "Penny?" There's a social media protest to protest the big open-up rally this Friday, which is going to be a nice day for moving around and exposing each other in a rally without masks. We'll see how that goes. The heart art makes me happy and sad and want to cry all at the same time. I think emotions are raw or close to. I saw a few hearts in trees at a park by my mom's yesterday and thought it was part of a holiday theme since I saw a shamrock too, but it was probably an expression.
Hello Jeanna, Thank you so much for the comment and question. Penelope is my blogger name borrowed from the imaginative little character my daughter and I created years ago. It fit in nicely with her last name, which is Puddle. She is called Penny for short. :)
It's a long time since I played chess, but I am sure I would get right back into it if I took it up again. Great game, organizes your mind and makes you plan ahead. As for recognizing the contribution of all who work so that we may eat and remain safe, we have banged pots and pans, tied blue ribbons around trees, but most significantly of all perhaps, is that I make it a point to thank the checkout clerk at the supermarket for coming in to work. This morning I shopped early and the young woman at the checkout was a Syrian refugee, who was cheerful, friendly, obliging and glad to have a job. It was my pleasure to thank her. Thank goodness that as a society we have had the wisdom to welcome these new Canadians into out midst. We are all the richer for it.
Funny you should say that, David. I did my weekly morning grocery shopping and the woman in front of me thanked the cheerful cashier which reminded me to do the same.
There are rainbows everywhere here as they have become a way of expressing thanks to our key workers especially those on the front line who are risking their lives to save others.
A very apt metaphor for the current situation. In my time as a human resources professional, I taught classes on Transition, and one of the most important lessons was that a time of ambiguity can yield remarkable creativity. We all have the opportunity to benefit from this, as business owners, governments, and of course, as people.
I used to play chess when I was a teenager, later as a mother I didn't have the time and patience anymore. Now as we still can't move the days are always the same. I have to look on the calender to know what day we are !
This is an excellent post regarding the pandemic and how people are so creatively coping with it ~ The chess set is awesome ~ great analogy to life always and the heart creations and the video of painted rocks is wonderful ~
Be Well, A ShutterBug Explores, aka (A Creative Harbour)
Beautiful writing Loved the analogy of the chess pieces. Perseverance is tested indeed. People here have been good but they now start to get restless and there are more cars on the streets. I love the heart art as a beautiful appreciation for the essential workers.
The heart art everywhere is very special and so important. Chess is beyond me, but nevertheless I appreciate the analogy ... and I wait along with everybody else, learning to let go when things are not in my control.
I like the idea of posting a thank you for the workers we now recognize as essential. As with so many things, I took them for granted. But the grocery clerks and mailmen and UPS workers and truck drivers and warehouse workers are keeping us going and deserve recognition. Hats off to them, and to you! Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/04/loving-springtime.html
"On the Web we all become small-town visitors lost in the big city." - Alison Gopnik President Joe Biden's inauguration was bursting with inspirational speeches and events. Heaven knows many who now breathe a sigh of relief also needed a good laugh. That's when Bernie stepped in with his cool attitude and awesome mittens. I couldn't resist joining so many others who included him in various ways in different spaces. I think he looks super cute and cozy on a sofa designed for the cover art of my Couch & Company story. Hope you enjoy it and explore more of the artistic side of life at Paint Party Friday . 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 .
There it was ... a bright dollop of sunshine in a tangle of forest greens, browns and silvery grays. The yellow door snuggled against a tree said Fairy Hall and, in tiny faint lettering beneath, No Trolls . Oh, how I'd love to know what goes on inside Fairy Hall. I wanted to tap on the door but, a giant by comparison, I didn't want to cause a scare. I often take the Sandy Trail with its gravelly path, woodsy stumps, well-trod stairs, rabbits, birds and squirrels. I know every twist and rustling sound. But I hadn't noticed the small door before. This unexpected bit of whimsy magic tucked into the forest floor made me curious about what else was in the mysterious thicket I'd yet to explore. When I continued on my way, the trees leaned in ... as if they had something to say. Later, I found another fairy door (below), welcoming but only to a select few. See OUR WORLD to explore more sights from around the globe and SIGNS, SIGNS . Still the kid I used to be
Rain puddles vanished and a blast of scorching heat settled over B.C. recently, including in my region which reached 105 ° F at one point. Records were broken. (About 145 miles northeast in Lytton it was over 120 degrees; the entire village caught fire.) The air outside felt like a thick wall of hot steel. All fans were on duty indoors. The weather foretold of the wasteland that will arrive sooner rather than later if carbon emissions are not majorly reduced. Dozens of mostly elderly didn't survive the wake up call. At this writing, the heat is far less intense, thankfully. A sweet sense of normalcy has returned and the slight morning chill sits on my shoulders like a delicate shawl. In my neighbourhood, the birds are singing again and searching for treats. A different kind of wave also hit us all. I was relieved to get my second shot "to knockout Covid" on Canada Day . It was a perfect way to celebrate July 1st. Explore more at OUR WORLD . Still the kid I used
Hello, I love all the pretty hearts. I am very thankful for all those workers who are essential. The rock art is amazing, very creative and pretty. It is fun just finding a painted rock. Take care, enjoy your day and week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful analogy about the chess pieces, Penelope. I've never known a Penelope, do people call you, "Pen" or "Penny?"
ReplyDeleteThere's a social media protest to protest the big open-up rally this Friday, which is going to be a nice day for moving around and exposing each other in a rally without masks. We'll see how that goes.
The heart art makes me happy and sad and want to cry all at the same time. I think emotions are raw or close to.
I saw a few hearts in trees at a park by my mom's yesterday and thought it was part of a holiday theme since I saw a shamrock too, but it was probably an expression.
Hello Jeanna, Thank you so much for the comment and question. Penelope is my blogger name borrowed from the imaginative little character my daughter and I created years ago. It fit in nicely with her last name, which is Puddle. She is called Penny for short. :)
DeleteIt's a long time since I played chess, but I am sure I would get right back into it if I took it up again. Great game, organizes your mind and makes you plan ahead. As for recognizing the contribution of all who work so that we may eat and remain safe, we have banged pots and pans, tied blue ribbons around trees, but most significantly of all perhaps, is that I make it a point to thank the checkout clerk at the supermarket for coming in to work. This morning I shopped early and the young woman at the checkout was a Syrian refugee, who was cheerful, friendly, obliging and glad to have a job. It was my pleasure to thank her. Thank goodness that as a society we have had the wisdom to welcome these new Canadians into out midst. We are all the richer for it.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should say that, David. I did my weekly morning grocery shopping and the woman in front of me thanked the cheerful cashier which reminded me to do the same.
DeleteWithout these folk we wouldn't be eating.
There are rainbows everywhere here as they have become a way of expressing thanks to our key workers especially those on the front line who are risking their lives to save others.
ReplyDeleteAll symbols of hope, beautiful Penelope. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA very apt metaphor for the current situation. In my time as a human resources professional, I taught classes on Transition, and one of the most important lessons was that a time of ambiguity can yield remarkable creativity. We all have the opportunity to benefit from this, as business owners, governments, and of course, as people.
ReplyDeleteLove the analogy about the chess pieces. And how true!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!
I love the latest rock photos ... creative, unique and portrayed lovingly.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Indonesia
I used to play chess when I was a teenager, later as a mother I didn't have the time and patience anymore. Now as we still can't move the days are always the same. I have to look on the calender to know what day we are !
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent post regarding the pandemic and how people are so creatively coping with it ~ The chess set is awesome ~ great analogy to life always and the heart creations and the video of painted rocks is wonderful ~
ReplyDeleteBe Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbour)
Beautiful writing Loved the analogy of the chess pieces. Perseverance is tested indeed. People here have been good but they now start to get restless and there are more cars on the streets. I love the heart art as a beautiful appreciation for the essential workers.
ReplyDeleteThe heart art everywhere is very special and so important. Chess is beyond me, but nevertheless I appreciate the analogy ... and I wait along with everybody else, learning to let go when things are not in my control.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful variety of hearts. I heart hearts :)
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
I like the idea of posting a thank you for the workers we now recognize as essential. As with so many things, I took them for granted. But the grocery clerks and mailmen and UPS workers and truck drivers and warehouse workers are keeping us going and deserve recognition. Hats off to them, and to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/04/loving-springtime.html
I have been finding painted rocks all over my little town. They always make me so happy!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely and heartwarming!
ReplyDelete