An Afternoon at Bear Creek Park

 After a cool,  wet spring, the sun graced us with a blazing, though short-lived, appearance a few weeks ago.

In celebration, my son and I spent the day at Bear Creek Park, one of the many green sites that earn Surrey its title,  'City of Parks'.

 While I dislike having my photo taken, Jules was only too happy to pause and offer a smile as we wound our way to the Chapel In The Woods, a quietly reverent spot. 

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I'm told weddings are actually held here,  though I've not managed to be there at  the right time.

            Flowers and foliage were vibrant in their new growth, the warm sun urging them to preen and proudly  show off their fresh beauty.

In the Japanese Garden, I took into my soul this wonderful poem penned by Korean-Canadian writer/theologian, Rev.  Byung Sub Van, and carved onto stone. It is both simple and                        profound.

 As usual, I was captivated by water and the ever-changing ripples caused by a light wind.

             
           

                 

                 

             

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Of all the gardens, I most enjoyed the West Coast Native Walk, as the varied hosta and lacy fern are more beautiful to me than the most exotic of orchids.

 

 It was fitting to sit a while at this serene                      pavilion with its crystal-clear pond 
    and letter-inscribed glass roof.

 A few final shots, a miniature train ride and a visit to the Art Gallery completed the afternoon beautifully. My one regret was that the only wildlife we encountered were these metal fellows in the

playground.

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Of such simple pleasures are memorable afternoons made.....

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Magpie Tales: No. 73

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Reach out your hand...pull

me near that I might not

lose sight of all I love.

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This painting speaks to me of the disconnect we sometimes feel in our lives...in our families and our passions. Too often, doing what's expected of us has little to do with what makes us feel gloriously alive....

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Today, I feel infused with life as I've learned about a poet with whom I was not familiar, and a painter.

The piece above is titled "People of Chilmark', painted in 1920 by American artist and muralist Thomas Hart Benton. His lush, earthy work highlights everyday scenes of life in the U.S. As an admirer of Diego Rivera, I recognized some of the same elements in Benton's work.

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This is my first time to join Magpie Tales. For more tales based on this photo, do stop by the link below...

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http://magpietales.blogspot.com/

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Additionally, my friend Debra left a comment on my page referencing the English poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins, whose striking and unique approach to language enlivened the strict poetic forms of the time. Thanks D.,for brightening my day! 

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My Shadowy Self

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If truth be told, I often feel like a shadow of myself.

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I believe the real me to be bold, fearless and self-assured.

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Shadowy me is never quite sure if she’s good enough.. clever enough…so she hesitates, procrastinates and makes excuses.

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The real me trusts her talent and is able to produce work that is meaningful, be it a poem, a photograph or a small piece of art.

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Shadowy me vacillates and creates nothing she considers unique or worthwhile.
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There are those wonderful days when the two of me meld seamlessly into one. Together we become strong, connected and inspired…able to utilize the skills and knowledge gained from years of experience. The sense of living up to potential is surely one of life's greatest rewards.

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It is true that such days do not occur as frequently as I might like, seeming serendipitous in their random appearances. But I treasure them when they're here, and they have come more often this year, bolstered by the support of the creative, blogging community that has accepted me as one of their own.

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I will always be grateful for the large, generous and inclusive hearts that have helped me move out of the shadows and into the light...

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Many thanks to 'Hey, Harriet' for hosting this Sunday event! To see more, do drop by her page at...

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http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

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My inspiration for these shots comes from the amazing Angela Cartwright. My photos are a mere shadow, (pardon the pun!) of her wonderful work. I advise a nice long visit to her site for a lovely dose of art and photography!

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http://acartwrightstudio.blogspot.com/

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