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#spotted

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George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>An entire family wearing woolly hats is cheering and giving the thumbs up to a car leaving a busy car park. Lucky first time! They roar "Thank you!" <br>The departing driver winds down his window and gives them a laughing wave back.</p><p>A barefoot man (20s?) in a stripey green towel gingerly runs across a road from the beach to a nearby cafe. It's breakfast time and his friends are already waiting for him, steaming coffees in front of them. A swim and good company on a rainy day. </p><p>Two women (20s?) are playing barefoot soccer on the beach at low tide. It's starting to sprinkle but they don't care, not when there's an important goal to score! A border collie plays referee at their heels. SO MANY yellow cards to hand out. If only these humans would behave!</p><p>Four young humans (11?) are gamboling down the footpath talking excitedly. Every now and then the one on the far left does a happy hop-skip-jump to keep up. It's school holidays and he's having fun.</p><p>In a rain-soaked paddock two horses have their heads down against a deluge, but not a grey Arabian pony who is prancing along the fence line, throwing around his handsome head and swishing about his tail. Prancing Pony is magnificent rain beast and wants everyone to know it!</p><p>Any typos spotted in this post are Prancing Spacers. If spotted, please don't mind their tendency to drift off into hopping, skipping and daydreaming, but maybe suggest they have a hot breakfast afterwards.</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> at an Easter Fair in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A small human (4?) is clutching a shark plushie like a talisman as she looks around her with a thoughtful expression. She's not sure about this market business, but she's got her shark, so everything's gonna be okay.</p><p>A woman (60s?) with long silver hair is walking in the rain. She's sheltered by a red umbrella and is rocking a vivid red coat, a red beret and sparkly red boots. A passing car honks and she gives them a wave and a grin.</p><p>A tiny human (2?) is wielding a gnarled wand covered in purple and glitter. He has spells to cast and he's not sure how. Maybe poking people on the bottom is somehow involved. But wait! Grandma does not condone Bottom Magic, so now he's back to square one!</p><p>A man (30s?) wearing a camouflage hunting jacket is holding his tiny human (1?) as they watch a Zumba class perform. Dad might not be dressed in a brightly coloured sarong but he can dance. Jiggling tiny human up and down with chuckles and chortles sounding around them. </p><p>A woman (40s?) wearing no-nonsense running gear is briskly walking along a footpath with a huge sheathed longsword tucked under her arm. A passing small human (5?) holding his mum's hand looks at her with huge eyes. Who is this mighty warrior woman? </p><p>Any typos spotted in this post are Colon Poking Wizards. If spotted, please don't mind their magic wand, and maybe give them a shark plushie to hug if their spell isn't successful. Magic is difficult business.</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> on a Very Rainy Easter Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A young human (8?) is dancing down a quiet street. Grinning, his eyes closed, he does a twirl here. He does a hop-skip there. He stretches his arms out and does a little tap on the spot. Unfettered joy, ignoring the rain.</p><p>A dapper man (80s?) in flat cap and neatly ironed shirt and trousers is given a cappuccino with a love heart in the centre. Smiling softly to himself, he turns the cup and saucer around a few times to view it from all angles as if to remember it properly. An unexpected, tiny happiness. </p><p>A woman (70s?) parks in a very busy car park and gets out. It's starting to rain and a passing woman (30s?) asks: "Do you want my umbrella? You can keep it. It's not expensive and I can see you don't have one." They part, one with a new umbrella, the other cheerfully walking to her car.</p><p>In a cafe: A tall, bustling woman is complimented on her shirt. She grins and says: "It's the yellow. It just looks right. On a day like this. Yellow!" Outside it's pelting with rain. Inside there's a walking ray of sunshine. </p><p>Two women (60s?) in bright raincoats are sitting kitty-corner to each other in an a manically busy cafe. Their heads are bowed together in conversation and every now and then, one cheekily offers the other a forkful of cake, laughing at the crumbs. A tiny oasis of romantic fun.</p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A man (50s?) wearing a suit, suspenders, with an impressively curled moustache is explaining to junior colleagues (20s) how the game Space Invaders worked. Suddenly they're on a mission to the old-school gaming arcade around the corner to play!</p><p>A tiny human (2?) has decided that the very big shaggy dog sleeping next to her parents' table is the perfect combination of snuggling and snoozing spot.<br>Big Shaggy Dog isn't moving. Instead she's wagging her tail against the ground to tell her humans that everything's fine.</p><p>A woman in a fluffy red jumper is sipping white wine and chatting to a friend. She says: "I don't mind shopping as long as I don't have to buy anything. Who wants to shop if they HAVE to get something? Not me!" </p><p>A man (50s?) in a leather jacket and work boots is walking down the street and suddenly pauses to Dad Sneeze with tremendous gusto. Numerous people nearby laugh and say "Bless You". Meanwhile his partner is facepalming as he says: "What?! What's the problem?"</p><p>A couple (20s?) are sitting at a bench table in front of a kebab shop. Their tiny new human (months?) is sleeping in a carrier they've set on the table. And as they eat their food, they're quietly talking, resting their heads against each other sleepily. The vibe is a sweet contentment. </p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A man (70s?) and a small human (3?) are walking down a hilly street after a windy night, righting all the rubbish bins that have blown over. Small human is sternly supervising. He'll not rest until Grandad has everything back in its right place!</p><p>At a free brooch making workshop: A small human (4?) is very hard at work on an orange masterpiece. Mum suggests he could use another colour and he carefully sets down his scissors and gives her a long, studied look. She holds up her hands and laughingly concedes. The artist knows what's best.</p><p>Two teens wander out of a dairy* wearing hoodies and plaid pajama bottoms. They're laughing and goofing around, hip bumping each other and sharing the a huge packet of chips between them. It's the school holidays and this is what chilly mornings should be about.</p><p>At a riverbend water hole, three teens are skimming rocks, while a studious border collie supervises. Rock Skimming Supervisor Dog is evaluating technique, distance and most importantly, whether or not they are going to throw the stick he dropped at their feet minutes ago. </p><p>A woman (40s?) walks into a craft store with a teen (16?). She stops in the doorway and causally hands over an envelope, saying: "Happy Birthday Soph. Take as long as you want. That should be enough to get you started." Teen looks into envelope, squeals, hugs mum, drags her to the wool section. </p><p>(Continued Below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A teen (14?) is telling her dad about her worries about the chaos in the world. Her dad listens calmly, nodding and sipping his coffee. Finally, he says with absolute Dad certainty. "Well, love...I reakon some people just need to calm down."</p><p>A small human (6?) is helping Gran buy some paint. While they're waiting at checkout he is industriously reading every label he can spot. He is the Word Master and knows ALL the words and will READ THEM ALL! </p><p>A tall woman (80s?) wearing a purple silk dress and a huge straw hat covered in giant purple flowers is strolling through a shopping centre. She stops here and there to look in windows, smiling regally whenever someone pauses to compliment her.</p><p>A woman (30s?) is sitting across from a teen (16?) in a cafe. She says earnestly, "I don't know where you're at, or what you're planning on doing, but if you decide to go to uni, I've got you covered. I'm here for you."</p><p>A woman (30s?) in a dark green coat bustles into a bookshop with a bulging paper bag. She places it on the counter and says: "Anyone want some feijoas?! I've got loads!" Free fruit is placed on the counter for customers to take as many as they like.</p><p>Any typos spotted in this post are Regal Strolling Spellers. If typos spotted, please don't mind if they read all the books in your bookshop... and all your paint labels. And... Do you have any cereal boxes? They'll read those too.</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>Two men (20s?) are strolling through the centre of town. One's strumming a guitar and is singing snatches of song. The other's armed with notebook and pen and is suggesting phrases and words, scribbling furiously. Lyrics and melodies on the go.</p><p>A small human (4?) has abandoned his bike on the footpath and is glaring at it belligerently. His arms crossed, scowl fierce. Dad asks what the problem is. He says: "It wont go FAST ENOUGH!"<br>A passing man (40s?) wearing bike leathers laughs and says: "My bike too little bro. My bike too."</p><p>A man (60s?) is on his phone, getting visibly exasperated. A woman (60s?) walks up and asks what's wrong. He says grumpily: "You won't pick up your phone!" He pauses and grins sheepishly "Ah... because you're already here?"<br>She playfully bats him on the head. "I am already here. Idiot."</p><p>A small human (5?) struts from a barber shop. He says: "Dad? Dad? I'm better lookin' than you."<br>His dad raises his brows: "Why'd you think that?"<br>Small Human rolls his eyes. "Cos I AM! I've got HAIR."<br>This is obviously a profound truth, but for some reason Dad's now belly laughing.</p><p>A woman (40s?) holds a door open for another woman (40s?), wearing a spectacular brooch. <br>Brooch Woman nods: "Thank you kindly, maiden. You are ever so fair."<br>The other replies. "My greatest honour your majesty. Shall we sojourn to yon cafe?"<br>Cackling gleefully, they walk off arm in arm.</p><p>(Continued Below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A young human (12?) is cycling, beaming as he dinks a friend on the handlebars. She's wearing a lei of red flowers and is laughing at something he's just said, her hands up in the air. A snatched moment of happiness, feet whirring on the pedals. </p><p>At a small Easter Craft Fair numerous stall owners are genteelly hawking their crochet and knitted wares. Meanwhile a teen (14?) is earnestly belting out James Brown's hit, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World". This is wonderful, unironic serendipity. </p><p>In a mechanic's workshop after hours, the lights are throwing a warm glow into the night street as two men (late teens) practice their skateboarding moves. Beats cranking, laughing at each other's mistakes. </p><p>Three women (60s to 80s?) are sitting on a sunny bus stop bench, howling with laughter as they search through the middle one's massive mustard yellow handbag. They pull first one thing out, then another, wiping tears from their eyes. One says: "You've got an entire continent in here Annie!" </p><p>At a fruit and vege market: A teen (13?) runs through a picnic area towards a public piano, takes a seat and is soon playing Bach, Mozart and maybe a snatch of Handel? Moments later her brother appears with an ice cream and the music stops. This is FAR more important.</p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A burly bald man (60s?) is sitting at his stall with a tiny new human (3 months?) laying on his lap. With a huge grin he says: "Where's a smile for Poppa? Where's that smile?!" Suddenly he lets out a booming, delighted laugh. Poppa got his smile.</p><p>Two young humans (4 &amp; 5?) are playfighting around Dad's legs while he orders hot dogs. Suddenly, one small human flails wildly only to connect with Dad's plums. Dad valiantly finishes ordering, takes a deep breath, then delivers a very calm lecture about playfighting rules of engagement.</p><p>A young human (7?) is standing on a corner with his mum, holding out flyers for an upcoming performance of Grease the Musical. Young Human is on the spot dancing. Young Human is singing. Young Human is SELLING the heck out of this show. The people WILL come and it WILL be fabulous.</p><p>A woman (40s?) is standing in a sunbeam near a chai stall. She's wearing a sequinned pink jacket that's catching the light with disco ball flair every time she moves. A passing tiny human (2?) in a Minnie Mouse T-shirt stares, enraptured at this sparkly wondrousness.</p><p>A small human (4?) in a fairy skirt and sensible yellow gumboots is stomping along. She looks over her shoulder and commands: "HURRY UP! We have to get home so I can do my WORK!" Small Industrious Fairy stomps on. Fairy work waits for NO ONE! </p><p>(Continued Below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> at a Gallery Opening in Aotearoa New Zealand</p><p>A barefoot woman (50s?) in a tweed jacket, with a cool curly faux-hawk, is admiring an upside down sculpture of a woman doing the splits. She smiles slightly, swinging the jandals* in her hand against her leg, lost in her own thoughts.</p><p>A proud husband (50s?) with dripping wet hair from a rain shower is taking pictures of people looking at his artist-wife's work while every now and then glancing over at the star of the show with a soft smile. The love is there.</p><p>A man (20s?) is looking at the breezeblocks that have been artistically set out to showcase a series of bronzes. He says to the artist in a chill tone. "You know, if you need to move those after the show, I can help. I'm a natural born lugger." <br>She laughs: "I might take you up on that!"</p><p>The star of the show is asked if a bronze sculpture of a swimming shark is about her husband, Bruce.** Grinning she says, "No! It's about being overwhelmed! Bruce isn't my overwhelm. He's my underwhelm. No! He's my whelm! Yeah..." She looks at him again. "Yeah. He's my whelm."</p><p>A man (20s?) with shoulder length blond hair that's naturally forming ringlets in the humidity is examining a sculpture of a flying bird human. He tilts his head to one side, then the other, then nods emphatically. He's worked it out.</p><p>*Jandals are flip flops or thongs</p><p>** Bruce is a reference to Bruce the Shark from the movie Jaws... Or Finding Nemo come to think of it!</p><p>(Continued Below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> in While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A tiny human (2?) is given a lollypop. He licks it once and with Shakespearean levels of drama roars: "Yucky!"<br>Mum shrugs: "Okay give it here. I'll have it."<br>Tiny Dramatic Food Critic is horrified at this heinous plot twist: "NO! It's MINE!"</p><p>In a fabric shop, the owner fits a custom-made floral cushion into the seat of a walker.<br>Her customer (80s?) asks: "How much do I owe you?"<br>Shop owner says briskly: "No charge. On me."<br>Customer, visibly chuffed: "I'm going to knit you some socks instead then."<br>Shop owner smiles: "Done."</p><p>A woman (60s?) is in line for coffee. The woman behind her (50s?) says: "Please don't take this the wrong way, but you look so sad. Everything okay?"<br>She gets a no in reply and moments later, they're having a softly spoken conversation. Tissues being retrieved from a comfortingly big handbag.</p><p>A group of small humans (5?) in yellow high-vis vests are being herded across a road. One's clowning for his friends. One's holding Teacher's hand with a dreamy smile, and one's stomping along with a fierce expression, ordering everyone else to behave. Little ducks off for a exciting adventure.</p><p>A woman (60s?) in a straw hat is forking mulch on a garden while another woman plants shrubs.<br>Straw Hat woman says: "An' I says to him, Gord, if you like me just tell me, you idiot."<br>Her friend laughs: "And?"<br>She grins triumphantly. "Dinner next Tuesday."</p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa <a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/newzealand" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>newzealand</span></a> </p><p>In a library, a bubbly woman (20s) holds up a novel for her friend. She says: "You've GOT to read this. IT'S SO GOOD! It's SO smutty. But it's good smut. And the ending is EXCELLENT. You TOTALLY won't regret it!"<br>The book is emphatically borrowed.</p><p>At a Kate Bush tribute act, Running Up That Hill kicks in and suddenly a theatre kid (15?) is earnestly cry-singing the words. Five seats over, a woman (30s?) is wiping away tears. Two rows in front of her, a man (50s?) is hugging his partner as they sing to each other. Everyone in their moment.</p><p>A very noble looking big dog is waiting for his human to order a coffee at a hole in the wall joint. Big dog is sighing. Big dog is looking woeful. Big dog is whuffing, but for some reason his human is insisting on having a conversation. It's a dog's life sometimes. (He got SO many pats.)</p><p>A small human (5?) says to her mum: "I heard Nan say a rude word today in the car."<br>Her mum says: "Really? And what was this word?"<br>Small human whispers it and Mum bursts into laughter: "Yeah, Nan's very naughty. better not repeat that one at school, eh." </p><p>A bear of a man with bouffant hair and a bushy big beard is cosied up at a corner table in a cafe. He's reading a sci-fi novel and is showing all signs of enjoying it very much. Every few moments he takes a bite of his pie or drinks a sip of his cappuccino without taking his eyes off the page.</p><p>(Continued Below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A teen in school uniform (15?) leaves a veterinarians. A big ginger cat is in her arms, his front legs wrapped around her neck, his head buried under her chin as he howls a tale of woe. Speaking softly, she says, "I know baby. You'll be okay."</p><p>A couple (40s?) in hiking gear, are leaning towards the menu posted outside a restaurant. It's only nine in the morning, but they're already thinking of the scrumptious meal they'll have after their walk today. It looks like French food is on the cards!</p><p>A man with grey stubble, in worn work clothes is talking on the phone in a supermarket. He says: "Hi love, I just knocked off work early. Wanna come inta town so I can buy ya a coffee and a cheesecake?" He grins when he gets a reply and ends the call, walking off with a spring in his step. </p><p>A woman (60s?) is walking a little black dog that looks like its coat has been attacked with rogue pinking shears. An approaching man (70s?) exclaims: "Barb, what've you done to your dog?"<br>She smile-grimaces: "I gave him a... haircut?"<br>Her friend laughs as Scruffy Dog cheerfully wags his tail. </p><p>An exhausted looking woman (20s?) is sitting in a cafe holding a very new human. A friend (40s?) walks up and says: "You're buggered, love. You got spare bottles in there?" She nods to a bag. When she gets a yes she says, "Give him here. Go home. Get sleep. I'll bring him to you in three hours."</p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming In Aotearoa <a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/newzealand" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>newzealand</span></a> </p><p>At a vege market a small human (4?) has decided that his dad has NO idea how to pick a cucumber and has taken over. Each cucumber is now being tested for sword-like swishiness, leg pokiness and head boppingness with absolute rigour and seriousness.</p><p>On a rainy evening, a car of P platers in a faded 90s Corolla have cranked up some scorching metal. They stop at the lights and began an epic headbanging session. Guitar licks curling from their open windows, long hair flying. Two nearby drivers doing cheerful devil horns. Grins all round.</p><p>At a music gig, a woman (80s?) walks past a line of women (20s to 40s?) buying the artist's debut solo LP. She gives them all a stoic nod, saying "Good gig." and with that, strolls off into the night. There's no age limit on cool.</p><p>At a ridiculously cool music gig in the ground floor of a local artists industrial workspace/home, people (all ages makes and models) are chilling on the floor. A small human (5?) at the front is wrapped up in her dad's arms, smiling sleepily, soaking up the vibes. </p><p>Two men (30s?) in gym gear are pushing prams containing tiny new humans on a sunny morning. One suddenly stops, picks up one of the many nearby fallen feijoa and pegs it at his friend. Suddenly the world's quietest feijoa fight is on! Tiny humans go on sleeping, fruit flying behind their prams.*</p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> on Market Day in a Small City in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A tiny human (1?) is being held aloft by Dad in the air. But wait! He's not a tiny human at all! He's an aeroplane! Zooming through the air. Strafing Mum! Strafing big sister! Gleeful chortles accompanying deft aeronautical feats!</p><p>A woman (20s?) is standing at a traffic light, reading a paperback copy of E. E. Cummings's Is 5. After looking up to check the road, she keeps walking and reading at a chill pace, a sunbeam lighting up her bright green jacket.</p><p>A small human (5?) is waiting in line for a sausage in a bun and says to her mum: "Mum, can I have a hug. The one you gave me earlier wasn't big enough." Her mum picks her up for a monkey grip hug, smiling into small human's hair. </p><p>A small wire haired terrier is perfecting the ancient art of mind control. His humans WILL give him a piece of apple cake. His ears perk up as a piece of cake is set aside. It's working... it's working. YES! Cake! Now for a bite of those pancakes.</p><p>A frazzled looking woman (50s?) bumps into another woman wearing a pink dress and pink glasses. She apologises and then says in a quick rush: "You're very pink! That's a lot of pink! Don't get me wrong. I like pink!" <br>Pink Woman laughs. "I do! It makes me happy." </p><p>Any typos spotted in this post are Poetry Reading Monkey Grip Huggers. If spotted, please don't mind if they strafe your apple cake and please compliment them on their colour choices.</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: </p><p>In an Italian restaurant, a small human (4?) is studiously colouring in a picture of a unicorn with her dad. She has a green pencil, he has a blue one. Their newly arrived pizza's sitting on the table untouched. Their concentration is everything.</p><p>A woman (50s?) is sitting with a friend at the cinema, waiting for a movie to start. She sips her wine and says: "Hey, can you invite me to something at your house tomorrow night and then cancel it at the last minute? I want that sweet sweet thrill of not going anywhere."</p><p>At an art exhibition. A woman (30s?) is looking at a series of bronzes, explaining the intricate and detailed work involved. Her partner shrugs and says with a grin: "I just think they look fuckin' rad but I totally get why you love them too."</p><p>An elderly white dog (dalmatian cross?) is walking in the rain next to his human. Old Dog spots a woman (40s?) alighting from her car down the way and picks up speed. It might be raining but pats and "good boy" words from a friend aren't to be missed. </p><p>A teen (14?) is walking along a street with a buggy full of newspapers. Her friend is keeping her company and their hands are animatedly moving in the air, snort-laughs echoing through nearby gardens.</p><p>Any typos spotted in this post don't know Art but they know what they like. They like stuff that's rad, that involves unicorns. If typos spotted, please invite them over and cancel at the last minute.</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A man bearing a striking resemblance to Karl Marx in a red hoodie is pensively drinking an espresso. Meanwhile his proletariat beagle is at his feet snurfling and scruffling industriously at its unmentionables. People walking by stifling smiles.</p><p>A small human (4?) is seeing how much croissant he can fit into his mouth. Junior Food Efficiency Scientist has hypothesised that he can get it all in. Mum has other opinions. Junior Scientist is now STRENUOUSLY arguing his experiment's merit. Crumbs spraying everywhere. Mum trying not to laugh. </p><p>Two men (40s?) are leaning into each other, quietly discussing politics, philosophy and maybe a smattering of religion at a corner table while sharing a date scone with great slabs of butter. The vibe is mutual respect with delicious baking.</p><p>A woman (70s?) wearing a pretty bee brooch on her t-shirt is stopped in the street by another woman (20s?) in bright green tights. Green Tights woman cheerfully says: "I love your brooch!" Bee Brooch woman says: "I love your tights!" Cheerful fashion conversation ensues. </p><p>An extraordinarily dapper man (80s?) wearing a three piece tweed suit, a bow tie and brogues is sitting in front of an art gallery with a friend. They're both drinking coffee from large mugs, Dapper Man topping his up from a hip flask with a wink and a cheeky grin.</p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>In a park: A tiny human (2?) waddle-flails over to a rosemary bush. He scrunches his eyes tightly shut and carefully moves his face towards a clump of new leaves, inhaling deeply and exhaling with an "AHHH" before turning and grinning at his mum.</p><p>An elderly black dog has decided that the sunniest spot in an entire beer garden is in front of the door to the loos. He looks balefully up at anyone who approaches and groans with the air of a disgruntled creaking door when people step over him. His expression epically judgemental. </p><p>In the window of a restaurant. A couple (60s?) in best jeans and crisply ironed t-shirts are arranging a checkers set on a table. Their body language is animated as they place the pieces on the board. They might be on a fancy dinner date, but they're going to do things their way. </p><p>An extended family are alighting from a car. A teen (13?) is holding a homemade chocolate cake decorated in sprinkles. Mum and Dad are looking at a phone, bickering over where the restaurant is. Grandad is brandishing a bottle of Italian red wine, cheerfully waving at people he knows in town.</p><p>In a park: A small human (3?) most definitely does not want to go home to bed. Mum is telling him that he has to come help pack up his toys but NOPE, he has important business to see to, including some scratchy tree bark to inspect. He's NOT tired. NOT. TIRED. AT. ALL. (He is SO very tired.) </p><p>(Continued below)</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:</p><p>A woman (20s?) is walking along a quiet street just after sunset. Her yellow T-shirt vivid in the light of the street lamps. A sleek tabby cat loping amiably at her side. Crickets chirping in the night air.</p><p>In a cafe: A woman (30s?) is teaching two small humans (3 and 5?) how to play chess. Patiently, she sets the board and explains the rules, talking of Powerful Queens! Noble Kings! Brave Soldiers and Big Castles. And best of all, The Big Horse!</p><p>A table of 3 women (Granddaughter, Mum, Gran?) are enjoying a coffee, cake and raucous conversation. Every few minutes they burst into gusts of near-identical gloriously cronish cackles. People at nearby tables pausing to grin. This kind of unmitigated glee is catching.</p><p>A man (80s?) arrives at a riverbank with his elderly staffy. He says: "I think the water's a bit too nippy for a swim today Tank." Tank wanders down to the water anyway to form his own opinion, then returns for a pat on the head. They continue on a gentle meander home.</p><p>A small human (3?) is sitting at a table with his gran. A very large brownie arrives. He inspects the brownie and says with adorable pomposity. "That brownie is ugly. You should let me eat it for you." Inexplicably, Gran finds this very sensible reasoning hilarious. </p><p>Any typos spotted in this post DEFINITELY want to be the Big Horse in their next game of chess. If spotted, please laugh if they try and use the power of logic to gobble your brownie.</p>
George Penney<p><a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/Spotted" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Spotted</span></a> While Roaming in Aotearoa <a href="https://sunny.garden/tags/newzealand" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>newzealand</span></a> </p><p>A woman (40s?) is mountain biking by a river. She gets to the top of a big hill and whistles, laughing when a wet and muddy spaniel bursts from the water, belts up the bank and down the hill at her side. Pure doggy joy. Paws pounding the dirt. </p><p>A small human (5?) wearing a serious expression is crouched next to a large spiderweb. She's armed with a Special Scientific Investigation Stick but she's not quite sure what to do with it. So she pokes her younger brother instead. Yes. This type of science is far more satisfying.</p><p>A woman (20s?) in a blue felt hat is walking through a flea market with a spring in her step. She's brandishing two padded coat hangers decorated in lace and ribbons in one hand, waving at friends with the other. Her wardrobe's gonna live it large today! </p><p>A tiny human (1?) has lost her nose! (Oh no!) Dad's holding it between two of his fingers. She stares wide eyed at him, shocked at this anatomical feat, only to chortle with delight when he puts it back, holding up his splayed hand up as evidence.</p><p>A woman (80s?) is sitting on a bench overlooking a park and mountains just on sunset. She's got a sketchpad in her lap, a wooden box of pastels at her side and is hard at work capturing the colours. Her gruntling and snortling bulldog rubbing his face on the grass nearby.</p><p>Any typos spotted in this post are a breed of Exclamation Point Wagging Qwerties. If spotted, please throw an em-dash for them to chase.</p>