Far Apart, Yet Far Too Near

Physical distancing got a temporary reprieve. Keeping apart kept COVID-19 down but recent protests crammed people shoulder-to-shoulder in many places of our world. (This will likely cause a spike in cases.) Inadequate masks slid down faces as people shouted outrage at the awful killing of a man. Vancouver had a large peaceful protest about what happened to George Floyd HERE. Meanwhile, two men went up in space. Such pioneering efforts in some faraway future will perhaps result in humans finding the distance they seem to require. Society's problems could be solved calmly and kindly. But for some, Earth is too small to accommodate the desires and needs of all.

Photos taken several years ago visiting Long Beach (Tofino) in Vancouver Island, B.C.

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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.

Earth's Palette Of Colours Amid The Greens

Green is synonymous with nature and distinguishes Earth from the other planets we've learned about in the universe like barren Mars. But there are a range of other colours, too, that bring glitz to the eye, especially this time of year when I go for my walks.

Wisteria and poppies are painted in bold shades. They are stars of the daylight.

Worlds within worlds exist in these blooms. They can take our breath away.

Yet few petals thrive without the green of leaves and stems to bind the palettes together. Spanish poet Pedro Calderon de la Barca said: "Green is the prime colour of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." Perhaps that is why the shade is associated not only with love of nature and harmony but also with envy.

Wherever I roam, greens are near, revived and nurtured by the West Coast rain.

I see multiple of its hues growing alongside the flowers ...

framing many of nature's patterns.

Greens are reflected in ponds and streams,

admired and appreciated where emerald canopies cover the pathways.

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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.

A New Day & Being Of Two Minds

"Once I make up my mind, I'm full of indecision." - Oscar Levant

When I awoke this morning it seemed the world had changed somewhat for the better in terms of air quality outside my window. I could hear the birds chirping in the backyard like a happy choir.

There were two Penelope's on the go because I couldn't decide which one I liked better and there were two me's. One was dead tired of the pandemic and its restrictions and the other was concerned about starting too soon towards normal.

The "new idea" in the news is that we will start lessening restrictions this weekend in B.C. We need to continue being careful individually but we have no control over the rest. It's a test for the health officials who set out the rules as we face the uncertainties of going in a direction that instills too much thought static to clearly see the path ahead. Victoria Day is a long weekend holiday and the weather is pleasant so people will be eager to escape their "prisons". It's a good time to stay in my own bubble at home creating more Puddle art or sorting a closet. (The following photos were taken during my Mother's Day excursion just last week.)

Flowers from my daughter and (below) a homemade flag at an apartment window ...

My earlier capture of a yard (below) predicted being anchored at home.

The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them is a helpful read as we take baby steps outdoors.

Explore more at OUR WORLD.

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.

More Puddles, Blossom Explosions & Mother's Day

Sometimes beaches feel too crowded so I take the less traveled route and I imagine Penelope does that too. Straying from sand and sea, she discovered new puddles at a farm where a butterfly with big colourful wings flew by. Meanwhile, petals fluttered and exploded like pink popcorn where I roamed. Short-lived beauties bloomed all around.

Penelope painted the floor (and I painted her) so we are never bored.

At left she is teaching her umbrella how to spin like a top. She stopped counting her days at home because an open umbrella indoors is no longer bad luck and tons of fun. She never runs out of things to do! Her creative imaginings have come to my aid often over the years as a rainy day therapeutic tool of sorts.

I wish I could declare the horrid virus gone with a poof of a magic wand but, of course, I can't. The best I can do is to take precautions to avoid getting sick or making others sick.

This is the first Mother's Day I will meet up with my daughter wearing a mask and NOT giving her a hug. I still look forward to it and on this special day in May, she, Penelope and I are giving virtual hugs to all the caretakers who fill in the gaps and keep us afloat with food, mail and medical care. A BIG thank you also to all who are distancing (but still social), not passing the pandemic along.

Explore more at OUR WORLD and  image-in-ing.

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.