Heavenly Glow

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven ..."  interpretation from Ecclesiastes

   

On cloudless days, sometimes the sun is positioned just right to give the steeple a heavenly glow.

   

The humble Holy Cross Catholic Church in Crescent Beach, built by parishioners in 1946 in Carpenter Gothic style, was recently sold with the blessings of Rome. Sitting on valuable property just steps away from the beach, its sale will likely help finance future Catholic endeavors in nearby White Rock. Serving various functions over the years, the church had been rented to the All Saints Anglican community which hoped to purchase the building, in part, through fundraising. However, I'm not clear if they are the new owners at this writing. In contrast to much more elaborate places of worship, the church's construct might be considered one of elegant efficiency.

The Poets and Storytellers United prompt “elegant sufficiency” is a centuries-old term, perhaps meant tongue-in-cheek, when lack of wealth necessitates simplicity in a world filled with gluttony and excess. So we take heart in knowing that bigger and more are not always better and take pleasure when nice, but time-worn, things are restored.

The Sunflower Cafe nearby is another cozy gathering place. The original former owner started the business in 1999, focusing on nourishing local foods that have the taste of home cooking, similarly on the menu today. A new mural (above) is currently being painted onto the building's modest exterior wall by local artist Carla Maskall.

The functional relatively short pier at Crescent Beach is a marvel of simplicity adorned only by walkers. First erected in 1912, planks are replaced as needed. Posts and beams are regularly maintained and/or repainted.

Most recently, paint was dabbed onto a fresh face. The rock radiated its own special glow even as the clouds rolled in. The stony heart wore its unbroken smile despite a sudden teary shower.

What could be more elegant or sufficient ... no gem could ever hold, nor photo show, the iridescent glow of a single lovely raindrop.

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

British Mysteries & Things I Can't Explain

It was four in the morning when I woke to a sound and peeked out the window. When rain isn't extreme but taps gently on roofs and windows like a friend begging you to skip down lamp lit puddles, it's tempting. There was something about the rain in London that felt terribly cozy like being in an Agatha Christie mystery novel.

I could easily imagine Sherlock Holmes skulking around the shadowy corners to solve crimes. British writers have a talent for creating unusual detectives that make fictional murder oddly friendly. Although we hate murder, we do love a good mystery.

Authors must be inspired by the eerie dark dampness of night settling into cracks where heritage buildings line streets and small shops with strange treasures snuggle amid sprawling castles, elaborate churches, ancient bridges and grand clocks.

Sometimes mysteries overlap.

How the Rosetta Stone, originating in Egypt, took a wayward turn to the British Museum is a story you can read about HERE. By chance, I discovered author Linda Stratmann merged the ancient stone with murder in her book, "Sherlock Holmes and the Rosetta Stone Mystery". Her tales about young Sherlock sound intriguing. 

From hieroglyphics to modern alphabets, we've long communicated through scribbles.

Words continue to be etched in stone. Above is the resting place of English singer and songwriter George Michael. Below is a man seemingly taking a nap by a monument.

If an experiment to test the kindness of strangers, we failed. Why no one said a word is as mystifying as the man lying there. Holly Village (below), a private residence with an air of mystery, would be an ideal place to ponder his story and our inaction. 

St. Margaret's Church (below) adorned in gorgeous architecture stood silent but must creak from centuries of worshipers and the simply curious who have stepped inside.

With some 942,560 street cameras in London, there was a vague sense everywhere ...

that when someone is looking in, someone else is almost certainly looking out.

I conclude this post with a song by the late George Michael. His voice lives on ... 

Explore more at SKYWATCH and Mosaic Monday. 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

Do Something That Scares You

The beach umbrella reminded me of a rocket ship so I gave it the "star" treatment. I'd obviously never make it to Mars because even the prospect of a long flight overseas scared me a bit. It was over a decade ago since I last visited Europe. Now, amid Covid concerns, we soared through space in an elaborate "tin can", praying for safe landings. Relying on competent pilots and maintenance crews, my London trip with a friend did thankfully unfold well. Having not set foot in England before, it was still familiar. The queen, now king, is Canada's constitutional monarch, albeit playing no political role.

Leaving Vancouver, we could not imagine Queen Elizabeth would die the week we were there. The historic event swayed our plans and drew focus from much of the world. The sudden urge to flock together was intense. Thousands gathered near palace gates. My friend and I lingered with the crowds as well. Chatting with locals, it was clear that the love and respect for the Queen was real. I wondered if Elizabeth was scared when first getting the job she did so well. For seventy years she was stability in a changing world.

Along the way and throughout various lineups, there was gentle crowd control.

The weather, too, was familiar. Clouds, rain, and sun alternated hour by hour.

London is a vibrant sophisticated hub where cultural diversity abounds. Amid Victorian homes and fairytale palaces, cozy pubs and elegant restaurants, we found marvelous ways to get around, including the underground, thanks to the Tube, one of the oldest metro systems in the world that is ofttimes written about by blogger Fun 60. Here's one of numerous entrances below. It helps to be fit when hopping on and off.

Wherever one wanders, there's no escaping the monarchy woven into the British fabric. Street names and more reflect the royal past to outlast the poor and the regal.

St. Margaret's Church was not only for prayer. It stood alone as an opulant work of art.

Whether notable like Karl Marx, (headstone above), or unnoticed, there is limited time.

This was made poignantly clear at Highgate Cemetery in grand and beautiful disrepair. Those who once cared for the resting places of family died. Trees seeded themselves.

I was easily lost in the British Museum. The enticing maze of confusing locations held artifacts (below) from around the globe. I was drawn to Buddha sculptures and more.

But this post is not about death and ancient things. It is about taking occasional risks, stepping away from comfort zones and remembering to be alive on our circling ride.

Life is short and sometimes long but even a Queen is destined to give up her crown.

So I'm glad I took the trip and lots and lots of pictures to share in future posts ...

hesitantly adventurous until the most mysterious journey departs for stardust.

Explore more at SKYWATCH and Mosaic Monday. Also, 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

Rosy Creations At The Crescent Beach Artisan Fair

The urge to create is vast ... people are busily gluing, nailing, moulding, shaping or painting physically and/or virtually, diving deeply into their imaginations that often stay hidden from public view until a fair comes along. Crescent Beach businesses, in conjunction with Bayview Arts, said good-bye to Halloween and hello to the Christmas season by hosting an outdoor artisan event. It was a chilly Saturday but spring was in the air with my rosy umbrella and particularly the floral prints and wearable art (pictured below) by Caroline Baasch with whom I shared a spot along Beecher Street. 

A few remnants of the Halloween spirit could still be seen in the community.  

Autumn leaves cushioned the cold ground. 

 My umbrella was a calling card. 

Although it didn’t rain during the event, there were some large puddles and, in other areas of British Columbia, major flooding due to an atmospheric river weather system.

I showcased prints of some of my favorite photographs. The children's book, handcrafted greeting cards as well as prints of Penelope paintings were also on hand. 

Caroline's work (below) made beautiful bouquets at her table. 

Her floral depictions were a breath of fresh air amid the creeping wintry chill.

Each scarf, covering and tea towel was a retreat into a warm welcoming spring garden.

Explore more at Mosaic Monday and OUR WORLD.

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.

Reaching Heavenward & To Rome

THE SKY was hazy and empty of clouds early morning when I looked way up at the steeple where someone was tacking new roof tiles onto a Crescent Beach church being refreshed and repaired. The fate of Holy Cross Church is in the hands of the Vatican no less. There's been talk for a while of selling the property to fund other church projects. As far as I know at this writing, the future of Sunday services at this local building, some 5500 miles away from Rome and the pope, still seems up in the air.

Holy Cross Church, Crescent Beach, Surrey, BC, Photo by Maria Pavlik

See more horizons from around the world at Skywatch Friday.

Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle and Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride for more West Coast scenes.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms