Surprise!

Because the road to the freeway access closest to my house will be under construction for a year, I've been taking lots of different routes across town.  It's always fun to stumble across interesting things in one's own back yard and for a few days now I've passed this house.  I had some extra time one day and decided to park and explore this unusual place.

This house is a work in progress and, while I think it's very interesting, I shudder to think of having to repaint every few years.  On the other hand, perhaps the process rather than the product is the point here in the same way as many of us garden to garden rather than to own a garden.

 Quite a few interesting surprises, like this sign, awaited me as I wandered on the sidewalk.

While this cuts down on natural light in the front hall, It surely increases security. 

A Peace Pole, part of an international project, is "a hand crafted pole inscribed with the message "May Peace Prevail On Earth" on  four sides.  These poles act as constant reminders to visualize and pray for world peace." 

 

Fortunately, there are public spaces on  all sides of the house so passersby can easily explore the murals without trespassing. 

 Different interpretations of cranes grace this side of the house.

Another view. 

 Very clever the way the tree in the alley blends with the branch in the mural. 

But wait, there's more!  Behind the house is a lovely garden.

At the back of the garden is a mosaic installation.

I love the way the moss is such an integral part of this work.

 These shots were all taken from the house side.  Because the garden was open, this is all visible from the neighboring parking lot. 

On the alley side of the structure we see what I'm imagining will be another peace pole.

Across the alley there is another house with  large mural

And a peace pole.  Is this passing the peace or simply peacing up with the Jonses?

 Lovely wood sculpture.  Man made or natural?

 

The neighbors also had these lovely ladies who were very friendly and seemed to be quite well fed.

 We chatted for quite a while, these silly gals and I.  There were a few of them but these two seemed more interested in the camera than the others.

Did I mention that this all exists  across from this? 

 

Life in an urban area is full of surprises.  May your day be equally full of delight.

Meanwhile, Back in the Frozen North

After hearing about the holiday gathering of one of my friends, I described my Thanksgiving as something like driving through Currier and Ives to arrive at Norman Rockwell.  It was a special treat to cook a small part of the meal with my eldest sister, Dirce, who did most of the work and to be with part of my family that I don't get to see often enough.

 My family gets along so well that the only fowl language was in Alison's chicken coop.

Notice the ice crystals on the door to the outside.  Brrr.

Chickens are such silly and fun birds.

What the heck are these things doing in a chicken coop?  You may remember my post about little Ollie here. Ollie and her pal Igor are all grown up now.

Ducks like water, right?

So what do ducks do when their pond looks like this and they can't fly south?

 

The answer is that Alison and Peter take Ollie and Igor inside for their first swim in the bathtub.    This was a first for me but it was a great deal of fun watching this particular bird bath.  The bathroom floor had towels spread over it which were quite moist by the time the ducks were finished splashing around.  We then took the ducks upstairs to allow them to preen themselves on our toweled  laps.  Much more fun than watching football, don't you think?

 

Late breaking news - Alison is thinking of getting goats.  I love goats and think she should add a barn and get several.  What do you think?