Signs, Signs: Beachcomber Mural

My neighbourhood is enriched by this colourful wraparound mural decorating  the outside of a manufacturing plant just minutes from my home.

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Painted by international artist and muralist, Paul Ygartua, it is the largest such work done entirely by hand.  

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Ygartua was commissioned to do this work in 2000 by Keith Scott, founder of Beachcomber Hot Tubs. Titled 'Legends of the Millennium', it recently underwent a touch up by the artist and once more bursts with life.

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 Mr. Scott's vision has provided a piece that belongs  in, and to, the community. As good art should, it gives pleasure, elicits reflection and is accessible for all to enjoy.

The walls celebrate  those who impacted our lives in the last century. Religious leaders, sports heroes and film stars are but a few of those represented in the 31 figures the mural portrays. I wonder how many you can name on sight...I admit that a couple of them still give me pause.

It is stunning to remember in what extraordinary ways these exceptional individuals have enriched the quality of our lives, and more importantly, how they've served to remind us that absolutely nothing is impossible if we back up our dreams with hard work and relentless determination.
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Being a great fan of basketball, I end with Michael Jordan, whose unwavering focus has always filled me with awe... 

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I'm linking this post to Lesley's wonderful 'Signs, Signs' meme. For more signs from around the world, do drop in for a visit!

 http://signs2.blogspot.com/

I would also like to dedicate this post to Klaus Peter, an astonishing wildlife photographer and naturalist. Klaus was founder of That's My World, and owner-administrator of Skywatch.  He will be missed by the many of us who've come to love his work, and the generosity with which he shared his knowledge and his spirit.
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You won't be forgotten, Klaus...
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 http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/
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http://skyley.blogspot.com/
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Four Mêmes in One

On Saturday morning, we drove my sister downtown to catch her flight to Vancouver Island.

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As she’d booked a floatplane, we made our way to the waterfront terminal just down from the Trade and Convention Centre.

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Though the day

hesitated between

cloudy and clear, I

happily grabbed my

camera to record the

early busyness as we

waited

for boarding time.

 Boats of all sorts dotted Coal Harbour...everything from sleek, compact skulls to a massive cruise ship docked at the Convention Centre.

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Coal Harbour: North Vancouver Sulpher Works in the background and a marine gas station just off Stanley park.

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Once we'd seen Nikki off, we climbed up to the overview of the Olympic Cauldron, immediately reminding us of 2010's wonderful  Winter Olympic Games.

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This calm, clear morning little resembled the rainy, hectic evening we'd lined up to see the glow of our Olympic torch lighting up the  night sky.

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Promenade to the convention centre with cruise ship in background.

 I wil be linking my post to four wonderful mêmes this week. If you get a chance, do check them out...

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My World Tuesday http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/

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Watery Wednesday http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

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Skywatch Friday
 http://skyley.blogspot/.

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 Weekend Reflections

 http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/

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Book Blurb Friday: No Haven Found

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No Haven Found

"With studied insouciance, Molly glanced causally over her left shoulder, then over her right. The coast was clear! Grinning widely, she shed her yellow Wellingtons and traipsed happily barefoot along the sodden path. The explosive blast of a gunshot nearby quickly stopped her in her tracks."

This is our introduction to private investigator Molly Malone, a free spirit whose fey ways lead every new client to question her ability. But make no mistake...on the job, this tenacious girl is a bulldog fighting for every bone of evidence she can dig up.

Third in the Molly Malone Mystery series, this tale of murder, mayhem and mistaken identity plays out at a yoga retreat. In the midst of serenity, a killer is loose. Can Molly stop him before anyone else dies, or will this be her last case?

Hang on tight and expect anything to happen on this riotous and rambunctious ride!

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(150 words)

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I'm linking this to Lisa's wonderful BBF, wherein she supplies a potential book cover and invites us to compose a blurb (150 words or less) so intriguing that potential readers would immediately buy the book. Check out the fun entries at this link...

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http://www.writinginthebuff.net/

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Many thanks to Kathy Mathews for supplying this week's photo!

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http://oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com/

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Thursday Think Tank: Market Day

Photo supplied by Poets United

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Cool to the touch,

succulent flesh

yields grudgingly

to hands that

reach out and

grasp in need.
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Fingers stroke
soft, lush skin...

imagining how
lips might also

trail across this

naked pleasure.
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Were you mine

my tongue would

taste your juice,

would savour

each fragrant drop

of sweetness.

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Come to me…

my eager mouth

will not rest

‘til I am sated

on the repast

of your love.

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I’m amused to watch the care with which discerning shoppers choose their fruit. They sniff, peer, probe and stroke…no detail is overlooked by those who seek the very best. I find myself wondering if their loved ones are afforded the same intense level of consideration that the dewy peach takes as its due!
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When I saw that Poets United Thursday Think Tank prompt was, "Market Day", this piece came to mind. For more takes on the theme, check out the link below...
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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
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