Marvelous Minutes Amid Looming Troubling Interests

Perhaps you heard about a "Freedom Truck Convoy" in Canada blocking bridges and camping out by Parliament in Ottawa. Boisterous and intimidating, this group caused distress and opened eyes to ties with far right groups in the U.S. It was initially about mandates but this protest was/is about much more. These folks shamelessly blocked the freedoms of others for three weeks while yelling "freedom" and wrapping themselves up in the Canadian flag. The Canadian flag represents a country of freely elected leaders where, as the anthem says, "... we stand on guard for thee”. This includes selflessly guarding the collective good by encouraging vaccines, masks and mandates because public health and safety are rights we don't want to lose. My flag (above) and heart goes to officers who disbanded the occupation as peacefully as circumstances allowed. The bigger story of Canada in this pandemic is of sacrifice and unity. It is thanks to an avalanche of people protecting each other and "complying" that the light of hope exists after a long journey through a bleak tunnel. 

There are also more serious intimidation's as Russia threatens Ukraine, drawing in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Growing up hearing mom's Ukrainian songs, my heart is with the Ukraine, although I've never set foot on its lands. While horror looms, I walk closer to home in and around Crescent Beach where rising seas are an issue and seahorse images abound. Sightings of these magical creatures and other delights take my mind off the gloom for a while and inspire artistic interpretations of some photos. It's a puzzler why mankind cannot marvel more peacefully at our one shining moment on Earth. Perhaps it is a lack of astonishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years how man would marvel and stare." 

Explore more at SKYWATCH, OUR WORLD, Saturday's Critters & Weekend Reflections.

Still the kid I used to be

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C. 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.

Everyday Little Journeys Together

"I love to think that animals and humans and plants and fishes and trees and stars and the moon are all connected." - Gloria Vanderbilt

Crossing a busy city street is a challenge sometimes. Thank goodness for red, orange and green lights to guide us ... and a mother's steady hand.

A pair of geese made it safely across to a grassy edge bordering the sidewalk.

Earlier the days were misty, shrouding familiar scenes in mystery. Someone once said: Sometimes we need the fog to remind ourselves that all of life is not black and white.

I sprinkled the path with stardust because sometimes it does seem that magical.

The fog eventually lifted to reveal a clear picture of Crescent Beach's signature tree.

Trains were making their usual runs, blocking traffic for some thirty minutes or more.

The train situation is a thorny issue in the area. You can read about it HERE.

The eagle was above it all, a steely-eyed winged master of its own universe.

The grass was spongy wet at Elgin Park where willow leaves had not yet formed.

The duck floated as if not a care in the world, her concerns a murky mystery to me.

The raccoon waited for dark before taking to the roofs and streets on its regular route.

After a significant wait, the path cleared and people, too, continued on their journeys.

Explore at Saturday's Critters, Travel Photo Souvenirs, OUR WORLD and image-in-ing.

Still the kid I used to be

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C. 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.