The real life Vera.

I didn’t know that Vera existed.
I have no idea where she came from,
but all of a sudden, there she was.
First as a figure that was clearly missing from a painting.
Then as an expressive creature in her own universe.
Next thing I knew, she was in a shop window.
I simply had to adopt her.

Here she is meditating in the ferry queue – which can be quite necessary during summer traffic.

Eventually, she had to go outside for some fresh air.

She arrived in a floor-length skirt – which isn’t all that long in penguin terms.
She even wears glitter lipstick – on her beak, of course.
Here she enjoys the sea breeze because she missed the ferry.

Breathing exercises were required to remind herself that life is not in a hurry.
The sun is shining, the waves are gently splashing, and there are far too many campervan tourists.

She breathes through her belly.

Many times.

Ohmmmm.

She was pleased with her new home in the countryside.
It was quiet, it was green – and she could see the sea.
She stood very still and thought:

"This might be a good place for thinking.
Or for not thinking at all."

But she realised something important:
If she was going to stay out in the sun all day,
she would definitely need a straw hat.
With flowers. Obviously.

She didn’t have one.
She really, really wanted one.
So she stayed in the shade,
looked up at the sky,
and politely prayed for a hat to appear.
Just a small one.
With a ribbon.
And maybe a daisy or two.

Vera, The Slightly Mad Penguin knows how to relax, think big thoughts about small things, and find her way back.