Seashells, Stars, Froth & Bubbles

"Life is mostly froth and bubble … two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble and courage in your own." – Princess Diana

   

Various events were happening simultaneously so not all beach goers paid rapt attention to the touch of Hawaiian (or was it Polynesian) culture that recently graced our Crescent Beach shores in southwest British Columbia.

A blow into a seashell and the dancers started to sway.

Young women twirled effortlessly to the music, their bare feet sinking into the sand.

There was symbolism in every move. You can learn more about the hula dance HERE.

The up and coming littlest performer looked on. Soon it would be her turn.

It takes a bit of courage to dance like no one is watching and perhaps even more so when attention is desired and/or anticipated.

The beach, like life, is a stage of "frothy bubbles" where one never knows what to expect. Sometimes gifts of kindness catch us by surprise in these cruel historic times and sometimes, when we turn our gaze from things distant, treasures await nearby.

 

In one of my daughter's B.C. Fairies drawings that I recently refreshed for fun, Muriel didn't find the shell she might have wished for but she did discover what appeared to be a very good omen in the form of a beached star, inspiring my few words below:

I sought a seashell once of many hues

to hear sounds of angels in the hollow

but roar of rancor echoed out that lair,

as sweetly and discreetly, by my hand

for easy grasp, a star from heaven fell. 

Explore more at Poets and Storytellers United, SKYWATCH, and Saturday's Critters.

Check out my sites: Postcards from Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C. You can link to my B.C. Fairies page HERE.

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.

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1001 Steps Upgraded

I've never counted them but the decades-old stairs named 1001 Steps in the Ocean Park area were recently upgraded from wooden to metal.

   

Over the years I've walked down and back up, many times puffing for breath.

At the bottom there is a narrow path alongside a railway that leads to a small graffiti laden tunnel beneath the track to the rocky beach.

The stones make walking along the shore a bit unstable and it's more fun to just sit on one of the larger rocks and soak in the seaside atmosphere and muse about life.

The original signage and steps inspired a Penelope art card that says, "You can if you think you can." Whether challenged by steps or stones, a belief in one's own capabilities helps achieve success.  

The photo of me (below) was taken several years ago at the same location. Like the stairs, I could probably use an upgrade.

Wish I could say I am as agile as I was then ... but I guess I am, if I think I am?

Explore more at SKYWATCH and check out my sites: Postcards from Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C.

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.

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Sight Unseen

"There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception." - Aldous Huxley

   

Where did they come from? Where were they going? The starlings arrived by the thousands it seemed, flitting at warp speed through the shrubs and trees in my yard.

They flew in a blur, perhaps feasting on berries and bugs. I was too excited to fully capture their visit or songs. When they were gone, it seemed they were never there.

From birds, to insects, to humans, species perceive the world differently. However, I suspect curiosity about the origin of existence does not occupy the minds of beasts or birds the way it does me, inspiring the poem below for Poets and Storytellers United.

Less existential are the conversations happening constantly about the weather. We talk a lot about it, the minute to minute changes and the extremes. It has been hot and dry lately and fires have popped up throughout western provinces and the prairies.

Beach-goers love the cooling breezes and sunny days at Crescent Beach in southwest B.C. As for me, I look forward to and am happiest when I know rain clouds are coming.

Explore more at Poets and Storytellers United, SKYWATCH and Saturday's Critters.

Check out my sites: Postcards from Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C.

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.

HOLD ONTO THE LIGHT

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Thoughts On The Run

Thoughts that persist, whether wanted or not, are sometimes compared to online algorithms where whatever is most focused on invites more of the same as well as distortions and exaggerations. My inner voice always has lots to say as I go about my day and take in the surroundings. Ofttimes these are contradicting conversations vying for attention, inspiring me to pick and choose from my own recent thoughts and images in and around Crescent Beach where I frequently walk.

I wish I could fly but it's only my musings that take wing.

Drawn to a bush with pretty yellow flowers, my thoughts flew to the algorithms in the human brain for Poets and Storytellers United and What's Going On.

I imagined how wonderful it would feel to soar with the ease of a bird into the clouds.

The chair was inviting but this was no time to sit.

Just one blow would send dandelion seeds scattering. I resisted.

A showy buttery-yellow and rain-dotted flower caught my attention ...

as well as the slender robin in search of a good meal.

Wildflowers were in full bloom. Did their conversations happen quietly petal to petal?

Flowers formed artsy patterns.

All that remained of the spent silver dollars were their outer rings.

A discarded shed was left in shameful disrepair.

Did the crows, having no words, ponder the scuba diver in their midst?

It was this seagull's moment to watch over the seascape.

Was this the builder or destroyer of a sandcastle?

Why fly when you have webbed feet with which to explore the beach?

A car was parked by the bench. 

It was a big boy's miniature toy.

Creature creations with wings were neatly arranged on a fence somewhat similarly, I thought, to how I try to sort the muddle of words that stream in my head unrestrained.

   

Explore more at Poets and Storytellers United, SKYWATCH, Saturday's Critters and What's Going On.

Check out my sites: Postcards from Penelope Puddle and Musings of A Puddlist In B.C.

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.

HOLD ONTO THE LIGHT

Read more