Oh this old man winter – always playing jokes. Instead of finally packing up and calling it a wrap, he thought he’d give us another dose of shoveling and snowball making opportunities.
So what’s there to do except meet it all with a laugh, get another round of hot chocolate ready, and maybe think some about penguins.
Earlier this week I saw a rather widely spread FB story about the New Zealand Wild Life Clinic who put out a call for knitters to knit tiny sweaters for penguins who had been rescued following toxic oil exposure. Turns out the story is a few years old and the clinic is no longer in need of knitted donations; but it’s a heart-warming story in response to a heart-breaking situation. You might want to take a peek at pictures of some of the rescued penguins in their fancy duds. Or given that penguins normally dress so formally, perhaps this is the equivalent of working-in-your-jammies for them.
I have a pair of formally dressed penguins hanging out in my kitchen – one dressed as a waiter and the other holding a lovely rose. They’re about forty years old and they’re actually whistles. And they make me smile each time I pass them.
Whistles aren’t the only musical association I have with penguins. Some time ago I was researching a musical instrument I hadn’t heard of before – a harmonium. And the search turned up a reference to a musical composition created and performed by Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Although that particular composition isn’t one my favorites, here’s one they did that I like better called Perpetuum Mobile. Perpetuum mobile is actually a musical term, but I’ve always thought it should have been Alexander Calder’s theme song. How cool would that be?
Since my mind seems to be waddling all over the land of penguins, I’m pretty sure we need to give a tip of the hat to one of Batman’s archenemies, Penguin. I totally give him credit for my long-standing desire to have a wardrobe of trick umbrellas.
But lest we end up with less than flattering thoughts about penguin, let’s return to honoring our well-dressed friends with a peek at their totem medicine. Wildspeak.com is an on-line resource that can be a helpful starting point when you’re beginning to investigate animal symbolism. Here’s some info on Penguin.
Now your turn. Has winter left the building in your part of the universe? Would you be happier in fancy formal wear or a wardrobe of sweaters? Have a theme song? A favorite comic villain? Own a trick umbrella? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I do believe winter is on it’s way out here and I couldn’t be happier. Temps are slowly warming up and the sun is shining bright. Trails are drying and I’d be out on my bike if it had fenders for the puddles that remain. I can’t wait to get out there again and this spring and summer is just going to be the best!
Yay for the returning warm and future bike rides!
Oh man once again = very timely. Was getting pictures from my daughter all day yesterday of her snowstorm. She also phoned me and reported that she was very tired of it all. It was so windy the snow was blowing horizontally. Meanwhile … back here in western Canada the sun was shining and the crocusses were popping up everywhere. We have a repeat performance today. Off to walk the dog.
Before I go though – love penguins. My oldest one was given to me in grade 1 when the teacher dropped the china one I’d brought in for show and tell. Oops.
Kelly, your BC weather matches my Oregon weather! Isn’t it glorious? 🙂
I’d be happy if you both directed a bit more this way please. 🙂
Oh how lovely to have proof of Spring popping out of the ground! Oops indeed about your broken penguin, but how fun to have received a replacement. And to still have it.
Winter has vamoosed here, and spring is sprouting up all over the place! Yesterday was the first day of barefoot season for me. In other words, I could stand outside barefoot in a sunbeam for upwards of sixty seconds before I started to shiver. 😉 As for penguins, they have long been one of my favorite animals ever. When I was five, I wrote my first story — all about penguins. I still have it. It was written in a notebook with penguins on the cover. 🙂
OH, Harmony. That is so precious – a story about penguins in a notebook with penguins. Love it.
Ditto!
LOL – I get the 60 seconds bare feet rule. Spring has certainly arrived when you can achieve that! And how wonderful about your first story – that makes me smile in delight.
I learned so much about penguins! so interesting. The Harmonium, kind of like an accordion in my world. Both are instruments I’ve always wants to learn to play (I do play the piano – maybe that’s why). I thought spring was here – it was in the 70’s this past weekend, but today it is windy and COLD!!! At least it is sunny. It will be spring soon – the forsythia is blooming, as are the daffodils!
Oh how lovely your forsythia is blooming! Yes, I suppose Spring is on its way. Hope you get a chance to learn to play the accordion and/or harmonium.
It’s nicely warm here with poppies springing up alongside roadways. As for penguins, they just make me giggle. I could never dress formally, not even for a moment. A friend once said that if she couldn’t wear her Birkies, well, then, she didn’t need to go there. Add in Tevas and well-worn running shoes (not from running), and I’d agree. Of course, I also must have good jewelry, preferably handmade or ethnic. As for a theme song? I hear the soundtrack to Star Trek, TNG, in my head a lot. I think it’s my alter ego.
Oh goodness Linda – roadside poppies. Now you really have me wishing. I love your friend’s criteria, and totally adhere to Gilda Radner’s admonition which was “I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” And I’m totally with you on the need for glorious jewelry. I love that StarTrek TNG soundtrack is your theme song – makes me smile in delight.
Oh – I’m so hoping that this is winter’s last gasp!! And – I just love the idea of knitting sweaters for penguins. So sweet!
LOL – that’s a wonderful way to think about it Marcie – a last gasp.