Bernini’s stumpy little elephant won its way into my heart not for its beauty but because it was so irresistibly endearing. I am a sucker for things that make your heart skip a beat and fill you with good will. Here are a few more endearing encounters that have made me smile. First up, a memorial to a well-loved dog with a crooked jaw named Dirty Biter.
Life in the Big Apple can get pretty hectic and sometimes a stroll through Central Park is just what the doctor ordered. On my way from the Upper East to Upper West Side I cut through the park for an escape from the city and look who popped out to say hello and follow me around for about 20 minutes. Needless to say, I forgot all about where I was going and settled for a little bit of raccoon watching instead.
I love seeing a community come out to play; you can tell so much about a neighbourhood by the types of events they embrace. When I visited Seattle’s Georgetown it was love at first sight – how can you not adore a group of people who hold onto their worn out electrical appliances and repurpose them to take part in their annual Power Tool Drag Races?
Are you ready to charm, delight and captivate? If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Endearing
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS!
xxx Ailsa
It is not beauty that endears, it’s love that makes us see beauty. – Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
The universe is but one great city, full of beloved ones divine and human, by nature endeared to each other. – Epictetus
Where's my backpack? 
I love that statue of Dirty Biter- and meeting a raccoon in Central Park is really something! Love all 3 photos- they are certainly endearing. 🙂
That little raccoon was fascinating, obviously well versed in charming passersby. 🙂
This is a great theme! 🙂
Great, glad you like it, Mani, have fun with your post! 🙂
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That raccoon is so cute, Ailsa! 🙂
Here’s what I came up with this time: http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/travel-theme-endearing/
Love that little raccoon! I’m off to hunt something out..,
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Here’s Mine! https://dailymusing57.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/travel-theme-endearing/
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Lovely!
Ahh you’ve made me laugh 🙂
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Here is my post: http://closetoeighty.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/travel-theme-endearing/
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Hi Ailsa, That little raccoon is very endearing.
Here’s my entry for this week. Thanks.
http://almostitalian.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/pandas-of-chengdu-travel-themeendearing/
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Very cute pics. Thanks Ailsa. Here’s mine. http://jennysotherstuff.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/travel-theme-endearing-dancing-queen/
agh that racoon is so cute!!
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Mother love is so endearing. http://memoriesaremadeofthisblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/travel-theme-endearing
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Guaranteed to bring a smile even when smelly – please have a look at
http://acrossthebored.com/2014/08/09/travel-theme-endearing/
I have some animal photos which I think are endearing: http://chava61.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/travel-theme-endearing/
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Hi, everybody. Here is another try: http://closetoeighty.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/travel-theme-endearing-2/. Best wishes to all of you!
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A different sort of theme, Ailsa, but I knew what to post as soon as I read it – http://lynneayersbeyondthebrush.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/the-seal-of-mordreuc/
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The raccoon is my favorite. Here is my entry
http://shaanthz.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/travel-theme-endearing/
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Great theme and great pics, actually very cute.
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cool pics, ailsa … and great theme! Here’s my first submission in quite some time:
http://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/ailsas-travel-theme-endearing/
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Love the photos and the Travel Theme-Endearing concept. Will definitely look for an opportunity to jump on board!
Re: the raccoons ~
My dad owned and operated a sawmill for fifty years and is part of the inspiration for my own blog A Sawyer’s Daughter. From time to time Dad would bring home baby animals that became orphaned after he’d cut down some trees from a grove he was clearing. My five sisters and I had pet squirrels (Charley and Charlotta!) and more than once baby raccoons. Smiling at the memory which your post helped jog for me. Thank you for that!
Looking forward to more travel theme posts especially as my husband and I gear up for more travel as we approach retirement (and prior to that as well — no reason to wait a few years to explore the world!)
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Simply Charming. Turkeys are taking over our neighborhood so your turkey gets my vote.
I used the prompt to post and update about our backyard kitty http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/enduring-kitties-fill-my-backyard-and-my-heart/
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What a fun theme, Ailsa! Your photos are wonderful and that raccoon is a real charmer! Here’s what’s endearing me: http://shootngo.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/travel-theme-endearing/
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Lovely! Here’s mine http://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/weekly-travel-theme-endearing/
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I’ve added two: A)http://beijingcityphoto.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/travel-theme-endearing/ and B) https://jinancitydailyphoto.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/travel-theme-endearing/