My Dad The Unsung Hero

MY DAD was an unsung hero like so many immigrants. He never built me a dollhouse or taught me how to swim but he tried his utmost to provide for his family in an unfamiliar land. He died when I was fourteen and was seriously ill for many years prior. A university professor, philosopher, insatiable reader, musician, religious scholar and certified accountant in Europe, he was an educated man unable to apply his non-English degrees and skills in Canada. The farm he operated in Quebec failed so he labored at other jobs under harsh conditions. Falling deathly ill in the process, his earlier riches seemed like a faraway dream. Perhaps he lost his pride and sense of personal worth along with his health. Now all these years later I understand his bravery and the bravery of those currently seeking freedom from political unrest and tyranny of all kinds. I was born in Canada but the challenging early history of my parents has made me empathetic to the plight of immigrants everywhere.

To explore sights from around the globe, visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

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Busy Bees On Both Sides Of The Fence

"What's this?" the curious little boy asked running up to the fence.

The signage gave a clue as did the buzzing and humming sounds.

Over the fence we saw bees hard at work pollinating and making honey in two colonies at the Ocean Park Orchard in Surrey. The insects were participating unwittingly in a project to increase their numbers. It is said that some species of bees are in danger of extinction due to insecticides, parasites, loss of habitat, climate change and more. You can learn about bee life and care HERE.

Looks like Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Surrey had a hand in this joint venture. The project is in its early stages as the City of Surrey expects to construct 10 new community bee gardens containing two colonies every year up to 100 colonies. All proceeds of honey sales will go to the local Food Bank.

Just a few yards away on the other side of the fence there was work of a different kind. The cob house is an ancient type of building new to the orchard.

The artistic re-purposing of mostly cedar made great bones for the unfinished structure and the twists and turns of the tree branches created a grand entrance.

I stepped in to get a feel of the house. Hmmm ... where would the couch go? It was quite roomy but the atmosphere was sure to change once all the walls were up. I didn't take my shoes off but took pictures of others at work. (Luckily, I could see clearly wearing my sunglasses after an earlier encounter with a ladybug.)

Bare feet needed to adjust to the squishy mucky mixture.

It definitely looked like fun boot-stomping in the clay, sand and hay to concoct a cement-like wall.

Feet weren't the only tools.

Pails came in handy ...

and wheel barrels as well.

Picks and shovels were on scene to show young and old what bees instinctively know ... keeping busy and being involved makes the world a better place ...

and when you give bees a chance, healthier happier plants will grow.

To explore sights from around the globe, visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

This post is linked to signs, signs.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

The Lady Is A Bug

Plunk ... something landed near my face, a small roundish dark blotch to mar the view through what I soon discovered were my remarkably grimy sunglasses.

It could have been a he but I felt it was a she. The ladybug stuck to the glasses even when I took them off and continued my walk, holding them in one hand and taking pictures with the other. Not camera shy, she seemed to enjoy the ride.

The ladybug made lovely reflections on the glassy surface. Even with my untrained eye, I knew she was one of a kind and no other ladybug anywhere had her exact markings because nature's creativity is boundless that way.

She briefly investigated my finger.

She crept along the rim from one lens to another ...

peeking over the edges.

Perhaps she was snacking on something microscopic in the lint and grime.

It was a smorgasborg of goodies no doubt, a grand feast for a hungry bug.

I wondered about her wings since she wasn't eager to fly away.

This bug preferred to walk for now. Her wings were folded neatly unseen beneath each half of her dotted outer shell.

She did a little vacuuming along the way and also took time to smell the flowers.

When I veered off the path towards my car she knew it was time to say goodbye. She jumped onto my sweater and looked at me intently with utmost courtesy I thought, although I couldn't read the expression in her eyes.

As soon as we parted, I got to work cleaning my sunglasses. The camera showed what the ladybug was too polite to tell me but, needless to say, her message came through in a very clear way.

To explore reflections from around the globe, link to Weekend Reflections.

To explore sights from around the globe, visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

Million Dollar Quartet

THE UNIVERSE conspired in its mysterious way to bring together four musical icons before they reached the height of their stardom. The old photograph (above) shown during the Million Dollar Quartet musical at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in Vancouver yesterday proved to me that Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley really did have a jamming session at Sun Studios in 1956. Sun Studios is now a heritage landmark and museum for all things Rock and Roll. Visit it HERE and listen to the fantastic sounds. I couldn't take pictures of the energetic and talented current performers who sang the old million-dollar songs but I got a shot of the stage for Our World and Signs, Signs.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION

TAKING PART in the Woman's March in Vancouver, BC, on a Saturday morning in January was a highlight in my life ... the sense of solidarity was empowering. I've been wondering what to do with the sign I held at that event. The words say Equality, Diversity, Inclusion. Perhaps framing it will keep the memory alive longer. Better still, if I don't hang it on a wall, I might have a chance to use it at a future rally against sexism and intolerance. Peaceful resistance is rarely a one-time deal. Meaningful impact requires persistence.

The weather had been cold but more or less kind with a gentle drizzle at the event. Diverse climate was in the cards, however, for Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver regions that got their equal share of snow this year. It's rare for southwest BC (where there's barely any, to no, snow in winter) to be included in March's snowfall weather reports. But here’s what I woke up to (below) this March 5th. The snow surprised the birds, the buds and me. Winter persists.

The grinning teddy bear fashioned by the clumpy snow (above) made me smile but I'm glad the rain and warming weather will soon melt us back into spring.

The top picture was linked to SIGNS, SIGNS and the subsequent unexpected wintry scenes to OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

RETURN OF THE SEASONAL BOUNCE AND SPARKLE

CHRISTMAS craft fairs are suddenly sprouting up around every corner. Not all were being bouncy about it so early in the season. One small deflated balloon hung over the signage while a bit of tinsel went virtually unnoticed behind the sign, its sparkle hidden in a shadow.

If ever there was a time the world needed a lift and some sparkle this would be it.

It's time to rejoice, the tinsel struck by a sunbeam seemed to say, ready or not! Are you ready to bounce back and come out of the shadows?

This post will be linked to SIGNS, SIGNS and also, (to heighten shadow awareness), Shadow Shot Sunday.

To explore sights from around the globe, visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

SCARIEST HALLOWEEN EVER!!!!

THERE IS much of importance going on. A lot of it is quietly good for the planet and for humankind but largely goes unnoticed. Amid the fireworks and noisy clatter of wars, earthquakes, innocent lives lost, misinformation and confusion that do make up the news, a real life boogieman and bombastic bully, viewed as orange-hued by some, gained quite a cult of followers. The decorative pumpkin (above) was a recent reminder of the "horror show" we've been watching.

The US election is one of the scariest things happening in our midst this 2016 Halloween season. I think a large portion of the world will be hiding under their bed covers this November afraid of the outcome.

If you're not frightened enough already check out Halloween costumes from a previous year HERE.

To explore sights from around the globe, visit OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

This post is also linked to Orange You Glad It's Friday.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

A BRUSH WITH AUTUMN COLOUR

SOMEONE HAD A BURST OF CREATIVITY and painted flowers on their car (below) while autumn continues to paint my world orange, red and gold.

Although pumpkins have mostly popped up on porches, I spotted one over a fence amid the decorative antlers pictured below.

This is my favorite season not only because of the vivid colours but because it is a cleansing, resting time of year. It seems as if all life needs to be refreshed so is cozying up for the long winter's nap ahead.

To explore sights from around the globe, link to OUR WORLD at the sidebar.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Paint ... But Do Not Hammer On Train Cars

YOU CAN paint graffiti on them ...

but (as the sign below says) hammering on train cars that carry hazardous materials is definitely a no, no.

Watching the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) methodically chug by,

we were reminded yet again that no person or vehicle will get in or out of Crescent Beach for about 15 minutes, including an ambulance or a fire truck.

The route of this overburdened and increasingly long freight train is a disaster-in-waiting.

The likelihood of the hillside along the tracks eroding and the possibility of coal train dust or toxic chemical spills harming the community is real.

Solutions have long been sought, from building a tunnel or a bridge to relocating the tracks.

Recently the idea of relocating the tracks has gained steam.

Local citizens urging politicians to study the matter see positive signs.

Now the BC government Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Surrey-White Rock Gordon Hogg, local mayors, federal Member of Parliament (MP) Ken Hardie and BC Transportation Minister Todd Stone are on board with the plan. This is only the start as financial considerations and negotiations with BNSF will no doubt run into stumbling blocks. Any new and most likely shorter route to destined ports would meet new environmental challenges.

If relocation of the tracks happens eventually, I will not miss the drifting art (vandalism to many) blocking a critical path several times a day.

Relocation will unlock larger portions of seascape to pedestrians. People will be able to freely walk and perhaps cycle from the City of White Rock to Crescent Beach in Surrey along one of the most scenic shorelines in BC.

What a privilege and a joy this would be not only for locals but for visitors from around the globe.

To explore more sights from around the globe, link to OUR WORLD .

This post will also be linked to SIGNS, SIGNS.

See more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms