I love LA – Page 16 – No Idle hands here

In my own backyard

The San Fernando Valley, or as we call it THE VALLEY, gets a bad rap. It’s just boring suburbia with no historical value whatsoever.

True, it is suburbia, some of us like the ability to have a nice house and garden. Traffic and parking can be problematic, but nothing like over the hill in the actual city of Los Angeles.

But that part about not having any history, that is the case anywhere, if you aren’t willing to look. Right in the middle of Encino, literally on the busiest main thoroughfare, Ventura Blvd is Los Encinos State Historic park.Portions of the communities of Sherman Oaks and Encino were part of Rancho Encino – which btw, means oak in Spanish, Live Oaks dot the property and the valley. When the Mexicans took control of California from the Spanish, they dissolved the Mission system and created Rancheros – large tracts of farming land. The De La Ossa family built this traditional adobe hacienda in 1849. A series of room runs the length of the building, connected by the exterior covered walk- way. Today the rooms connect to one another and are filled with items from the families that once lived here.

Ask Encino residents about Amestoy estates, and they will point to a lovely neighborhood of large homes between Ventura Blvd. and the 101 freeway. Most won’t know that the Amestoy family owned the whole rancho for almost 50 years, until 1944, when they started selling off the land for those large homes as well as the post war housing tracts. From the time of the De La Ossa’s until 1889, the property changed hands many times. The two story limestone house was built by the Garnier brothers, Basques who tried sheep ranching here. The Amestoys were Basque as well, today we have forgotten about the Basque migration to California in the mid 19th century.

The Garniers also created a lake in the shape of a Spanish guitar. There is a natural spring that feeds this lake, they lined it with stone. The aerating fountains are a modern addition of course. Btw, for fiber lovers, they raised Merino sheep and had the finest wool in southern CA. Which is not saying much, the sheep venture didn’t succeed. The Amestoys followed the farmers in the eastern part of the valley and grew wheat and barley. Behind the trees you can see an office building on Ventura Blvd.People come to feed the ducks and geese. I was here the other day with my grandson, he made the mistake of feeding the pigeons, they surrounded him and then all flew up at the same time – giving him quite a fright. An old Arby’s was recently turned into Lakeside cafe, they did a lovely job. You can either eat inside looking out at the lake or under the oak tree in the yard. I haven’t eaten there yet, but definitely will do so soon.Agaves, prickly pear cactus, oaks and Pepper trees. This is the Flora of California before the Palm tree was brought in.Fruit of the Prickly Pear. One needs thick gloves to cut these open, and then there are many seeds inside, but it is a very sweet fruit. Btw, the cochineal bug grows on these plants. (not here in the park, in general). That is a source of a wonderful red/pink dye that most textile dyers are familiar with.These days the park is used as a park. Nannies with their charges, people feeding the ducks, others sitting and enjoying a respite from the busy street close by.The old sheepherders shed and paddock. To the left, an apartment building, right behind, a new fire station that blends right in with the large Encino homes next to it.

When the Amestoys were dividing and selling off the land, the original long adobe became a real estate office. A local woman, Mary Stewart was able to mobilize the community and even get the State involved in saving this one small parcel of what was once a large agricultural ranch. It usually takes one strong person to make a difference.

It’s not only the beautiful buildings downtown that tell the story of Los Angeles, it is places like this as well.

Leah

Another Los Angeles treasure, The William Andrews Clark Memorial Library

I keep on saying how much I love Los Angeles. Today was another example of why.View of the back. I didn’t bring my good camera and I forgot to take a picture of the front facade. One of the biggest rewards of volunteering is the interesting opportunities that come my way. A fellow LA conservancy docent had booked a visit here and since there was room, a group of us joined in the tour.I really need to spend more time exploring the neighborhood of West Adams. This is one of the first exclusive residential areas outside of downtown. Adams Blvd. was lined with incredible mansions. The library was built by William Clark Junior in honor of his father. His Craftsman mansion sat on what is now a parking lot. Here you can find a brief history of the family, there is so much more, it would fill a few books. The library is not very large, although the reading rooms and book storage are in the basement. When building the library William Clark Junior bequeathed it to the new Public University that would become UCLA. Although practically next door to USC, it is run and managed by UCLA. The interior is gorgeous! This is the ceiling in the entrance.Here we are in the great parlor, this was used in the past for performances and lectures. In the summer it is set up as a sitting room, during the year the furniture comes out, the rug is covered and it is used as a lecture hall.More ceiling Detail of the carved wood in the ceiling, no-one does this kind of workmanship any more.Looking out the windows at this expansive garden, right in the middle of the city. Chamber music and plays are performed here in the summer.This room looks like what a gentlemen’s library does in the movies. Aside from the books, I found the ceilings to be fascinating.A 17th c. globe with the island of California. This is probably accurate to how CA was viewed. Later of course explorers realized that Baja CA was a peninsula and the the north was firmly connected to North America. For many years map makers would still portray it as an island.The books on display are pieces of art, many miniatures such as this one. The slips of paper are the cataloging system, they do not want to mar the books by putting any kind of stickers on them. The opulent portion of the library can only be viewed by appointment or by coming to an event here.The reading room entrance is on the side of the building and down stairs. Btw, unlike other research libraries, all one needs to do here is make an appointment and show ID. No need for recommendations from a University or research center. So if you are interested in 17-18c British literature as well as the works of Oscar Wilde. Come on down.Setting up for a performance of Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, performed by Chalk Repertory Theatre, which will take place over the next two weekends. We saw the theater group getting organized and rehearsing.This wonderful folly is next to the library, literally abutting busy Adams Blvd. All you see from the street is a large brick wall.I call this a folly, because it is a very classic space but we just couldn’t figure out what it would be used for. Finally, the Ficus Tree.One of the oldest largest Ficus trees in southern CA. It was probably planted in the mid 19th Century. The deed of the library states that no building can be built within 100 feet. The brick building in the background are that far away. Most of the library is therefore under this expanse of lawn.As impressive and as old as the library. The trunk of the ficus as well as the canopy are a sight to behold. Parking was very easy, maybe during the school year it is busier. But even if you can’t get a tour inside, I highly recommend paying a visit to The William Andrews Clark memorial Library at 2024 Cimarron st. Los Angeles. I will probably head back with my good camera, since there are so many wonderful old houses in the area, it is a neighborhood worth exploring.

Once again proof that there is so much more to LA than just freeways and strip malls.

Leah

The Chocolate Shop

First of all thanks to my friend Becky for taking all these pictures.

A plug for LA Conservancy walking tours, specifically Downtown Renaissance and Broadway. It is on these tours that you can visit this treasure. It is not 100% guarantee, life happens, but you’re best bet is on one of these tours.

What is the Chocolate Shop? A real treasure in LA.

On an average day, walking on the north side of 6th St. from Spring to Broadway, you will see standard downtown businesses as well as some of those roll up metal doors. Behind one of those door is this treasure. For years it too was simply another electronic shop. Charles Aslan, a member of the family that owns the building, is the man with a smile who greets our tours and loves showing off the space.

Looking in from the street, can you see how the whole surface is covered in tiles. Not just any tiles, all are made by Ernest Batchelder.These tiles are very typical of his style – these are in the Art Nouvaux feel. What is very different is the finish on the tiles. They are very dark and somewhat shiny. One of Batchelder’s signatures was the matte finish on his tiles. He did seal them, but not with a shiny glaze. The owners of the shop wanted a brown tile, they probably wanted the shine because there are no windows and having the walls and ceiling reflect the light would be helpful. Unfortunately, they shellacked the whole space. With time the shellack aged, darkened and obscures many of the details of the tile. This is a problem art restorers see all the time.

As you enter the shop, you walk under this archway with the two Dutch children blowing bubbles – which are in fact lightbulbs.

In the early 20th The Chocolate Shop Corporation was hoping to be the Starbucks of it’s day. Of course they were going to sell chocolate and sweets. They commissioned Ernest Batchelder in 1914 to make all of these tiles – which he did. The Chain concept never really got off the ground. In 1922, C.C. Brown opened Brown’s Chocolate Shop here and sold his invention – the chocolate Sundae. Then in 1928 it became a vegetarian cafeteria and remained so until 1942. For more than 40 years, this was the location of Finney’s cafeteria. In 1986, after it closed, in went the drywall and the electronic store came in.

It was during the Finney period, in 1975 that the city of Los Angeles declared the interior a historical cultural monument.Part of the Batchelder commission was creating these murals with Dutch scenes. You can see that the tiles were colored, but that shellack is dulling everything.I must commend Becky for touching up the photos, in reality is hard to see this kind of detail, the space is very dark. Sometimes the camera can capture more than the naked eye can see.A shelf may have been affixed to the wall here, you can the that not only was the shellack removed but so was the original color. For all the problems with the shellack. There are a number of tiles where the shellack has been removed. I hope it stops there because all that remains is a dull fired tile. This is a problem all art conservators have – sometimes you can’t get back to the original intent – so better to stay with the added layers than lose everything.A wonderful close up of a windmill.Dutchman in the role of gargoyle, holding up the lintel about him.

The detail work is incredible. I just love the different ways of laying tile on the ceiling and the walls. Here you see the top of the pier with it’s many decorations. Also, this is the one picture I took, you can see the difference in quality.

Charles Aslan is fighting to get permission from the building at the rear of the shop to open up an additional exit. This would open up on the Spring/Broadway arcade. Different building, different owners. They are not interested. Charles cannot turn this into a viable coffee or chocolate shop without that additional exit. So it is not clear what will happen.

My advice is get on either the Broadway or Downtown Renaissance tours soon. This treasure may soon be hidden again behind the metal door. Being a cultural monument is very nice – but with the many players involved, it may be a hidden one.

Leah

Kimono as modern art

LACMA has the best exhibit space for Japanese Art in Southern CA. Usually these large display spaces house Japanese screens. It is so exciting to see these kimonos up close. They always have one kimono on display – so this is an extra treat.

This exhibit explores Kimonos from the 1930’s – 1950’s. Japan has an incredible tradition of all kinds of crafts. They are also known for adhering very strictly to the rules. Which is what makes this exhibit so exciting. Most of the kimonos are from the 1950’s and often the fabric used is Rayon, not silk. The prints are a very modern take on traditional designs, as well as a very strong influence of Western art and textile prints. Not to mention what great quilt some of these pattern would make.

Wonderful feathers, bold and graphic.Here is the wavy squiggle, going from almost traditional to free-hand graphic. The color choices are also a very bold statement. The dragonfly is a traditional motif, the colors and scale – are not.Look at these polka dots! I think this might be my favorite as far as breaking away from Japanese tradition. The colors, the size of the dots, the fine black border around each one. One bolt of 36″ fabric is used to make a kimono.In complete contrast, look at these fine stripes with what looks like a comb was dragged through them to create the staggering effect. I love how the stripes are precise, but the jagged offset isn’t.Mountains, trees and streams are all very traditional Japanese themes in art. This is a very modern take, the shapes aren’t realistic at all – they are stylized. The Colors are anything but natural – black and peach colored trees, red mountains, yellow river.

Two very different takes on graphics.

Final word, the Netsuke. Kimonos have no pockets, but people need to carry things. Of course the ingenious Japanese figured out how to hang little boxes from their obis. Counter balance! There is a large gallery with about 150 of these objects. LACMA has a very large collection and is often switching them out. So to end I give you this:Carved from Ivory, about 2″ high. A picture scroll of a samurai defeating a demon – coming to life!. The back is just as wonderful, another demon pushing back against the tip of the sword that is cutting through the scroll.

The kimono exhibit is up until Oct. 19. Don’t wait, run over to LACMA and see these beauties.

Leah

Art Center, Pasadena

Over 20 years ago, when we moved from Israel to Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to go to school to study some form of design. Someone told me about Art Center so I went and paid a visit. I met with an admissions counselor to see what was involved. As soon as he heard that I was the mother of three young children, he gently suggested I find some other way to satisfy my design needs. He was 100% correct, Art Center College of Design is a very demanding, time consuming school. I went to FIDM instead and studied Textile design.I have great respect for this college. I have since met people who did study here (younger, single- no children), this college produces some of the best designers around in many fields.

The location itself is breathtaking. The original campus is up in the Hills of Pasadena with this spectacular view.The original building is one very long rectangle that forms a bridge over the road.Very industrial looking facade. There is an additional campus in an adaptive reuse of a building in downtown Pasadena.

Automotive design. They are probably best known for being THE PLACE to study automotive design. Many of the cars or features on cars we see all around us come from here.

Illustration, product design – all are studied in depth here.

Here is my favorite student project on display.From the course, Packaging one. Karen Davison and Jibum Jung set out to create a Starter knitting kit for men. They note correctly that men have always knitted, but since WWII it had become a woman’s pastime. In order to reintroduce men to this wonderful craft, the kit resembles an old fashioned camping or fishing kit. Of course one finds yarn, needles and instructions, but to round it all out – accompany the tools with beer and an old fashioned bottle opener.

Unfortunately, no one has picked up on actually creating this company.Final note, a student car in the parking lot. License plate says it all.

Leah

Walk #16, Allesandro Loop, Echo Park

Have I mentioned that I love LA. Today we took a walk in Echo Park, climbing some steep hills and a lot of stairways. As we started our walk we met someone delivering for Amazon in the postoffice trucks, he was totally lost. Couldn’t figure out how to get through the maze of winding roads. We were heading up this staircase, before doing so I pulled out my phone and figured out the route for him. Sure enough, we met up at the top of the staircase. Both he and the package recipient were grateful. Then when I got home, Amazon delivered a package for me on a Sunday. That is service.This wooden staircase leads off the public stairs to a private home. Very creative engineering.This bucolic road is how the delivery man had to drive up. The freeway is right underneath us, yes smack dab in the middle of the city.This is Peru St., the sign for Elmoran st. is still standing although the street itself is blocked off and probably no longer on the map. Unless maybe that was part of the directions our poor delivery man was trying to follow.Some of the Flora we saw along the way. As well as a garden fountain built into a castle. Someone must have chopped the prickly pear down to this one enormous trunk. Nature at work, new paddles are growing.The crest of the hill afforded us amazing views. I can’t get enough of downtown from any angle.Or the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory.No, I wasn’t tilting my camera. We were up on N. Alvarado. The steep street is Baxter, The top image is facing east and the lower image – west. The cars were driving down very slowly, riding their brakes the whole way. The Hills don’t stop old roads, I have no doubt that no city engineer would approve any of the streets in Echo Park today.Two homes, one warning about a dog and the other celebrating both cats and Mickey Mouse.Oak Glen Stairway. One of the few remaining wooden stairs. Most were replaced in the 30’s with concrete, or simply abandoned. As shaky as these were, the next staircase was even more treacherous.First the sign and it’s own artwork. Unfortunately, someone did tag this fence.Here the wooden stairs simply end with a steep, poorly maintained path.There are the stairs behind me, with a big drop between them and the path.Shortly thereafter, very shallow concrete stairs resumed, with this cute house next to them.Looking back up at the shallow stairs.

As is our tradition after these walks, we found some good tacos for lunch.

Leah

Origami like you’ve never seen

Universities and colleges all have art galleries. Most are free and open to the public. They also tend to have very interesting exhibits that just don’t fit in with the Art museums. It’s easy to say, you live in LA, it’s an exciting city. This is true, but check out your own home towns, I think you will be surprised by what you find. Yesterday I went to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, to see this exhibit.We all know that origami is a Japanese form of paper folding. What you may not know is that in Japan it was mostly cranes, frogs and flowers. Once it was exported out into the world people started creating many more complex shapes. Robert J. Lang was a Laser Engineer, these days he is solely an origami artist, although one who combines mathematics and science – origami is about much more than art.This fellow was the first on to greet me when I entered the gallery. I LOVE owls. All of these creations are made from one piece of paper, no cuts only folds. The size of the paper ranged from 4″ – 18″ squares. Different types of paper were used.In this case, two pieces of paper, one for the moose and one for the base.Getting each individual scale on the snake is mind boggling.It’s not just animals, it’s bowls as well.On the walls were enlarged diagrams of how the folds create different shapes. I’m including this here, even though I don’t understand this in the least.No glue is used, it’s all fold and tuck. In this case the paper itself is part of the beauty of the objectHere is an example of a shape created out of many pieces of paper. Modular origami, the structures is held together by friction and tension. I like that not only did I capture the shadow, but also the reflection on the top of the glass case.Although this looks very complex to me, my guess it that it is easier to make than an animal – since all the folds are symmetrical.This tiling diagram explains the mathematics of how this all works. Of course to me these are great examples of quilting designs I need to try out.Not paper, copper mesh. Which makes this very hard to get those small tight folds.Print of a columbine flower, see all the fold lines? That is because this is what it looks like when completed.Proof that there isn’t a single cut in the paper – this flower comes from one piece of printed paper.This guy is small, made from a 4″ paper. He is probably slightly larger than the real thing.Based on Robert Lang’s work, a Japanese artist created this display of bugs. I don’t particularly like bugs in real life – but these are incredible in their realistic detail. I can’t figure out how he gets those legs and antennas without a single cut. Sometimes it is good simply to be amazed and not understand the answerHere the interest isn’t only in the folded paper – it’s also in the paper itself. Each fish is made from a unique handmade paper, the colors are natural elements included as the paper is being made. The resulting designs are unique to each fish, as a group – you really get the sense of looking a pond of real fish.Color diagram how folding sequence. I see this as a very cool modern quilt design.

So in closing, all I can say is – if you are in the LA area, go to Pasadena. Go see these creations with your own eyes and be amazed. Art Center itself is worthy of it’s own post, which I hope to get up soon.

Leah

Two ways to see Hollywood

Most people who come the Hollywood Blvd. at Highland come to see this.I’ve done this myself, I’ve been here with the grandkids taking pictures with this exact Minnie Mouse.

Last weekend I came here for a friend’s wedding shower. Of course my interest was different, it was to get a closer look at the buildings.The famous El Capitan theater. Thank you Disney for refurbishing this wonderful theater, most people go for the movies and live shows. Me, I’m interested right now in the exterior. Built for live theater by Stiles O. Clements in 1926. At the time, the main theater district was still downtown on Broadway. This was the largest legitimate theater in Hollywood – everything else was most probably burlesque. In 1941 it was converted to a movie theater. The interior is incredible as well, but I didn’t go inside. One thing to notice is that the fire escape is built into the building, except for the final balcony with a drop down ladder to the street.The exterior is covered in wonderful spanish inspired cast concrete. This is the same period when glazed terra-cotta tiles and decorations become a popular way of cladding a building. You can get a better view of the wonderful balcony at the end of the fire escape.Next door and predating the theater by 5 years in the Masonic Temple. The heading reads FREEMASONRY BUILDS IT’S TEMPLES AMONG THE NATIONS AND IN THE HEARTS OF MEN

Many Hollywood stars and moguls were Freemasons. Aside from their meeting hall they also had clubs and a ballroom. Apparently there was a tunnel connecting this building to Grauman’s Chinese Theater across the street. It was used to smuggle alcohol during prohibition. these days the subway runs under the street and the tunnel is no longer accessible. It is now owned by Disney and as you can see, Jimmy Kimmel broadcasts his show from him. It was up into the large open Mall, Hollywood and Highland. Here you can see people viewing the Hollywood sign from the center of this great arch. The interesting design is a recreation of the set for DW Griffith’s movie – Intolerance. This set remained in the Hollywood hills for 4 years after filming – only to be dismantled in 1919.

This is the Babylonian section. Clearly Griffith didn’t know much about Babylon, these winged figures are Assyrian, an even older culture. To see some original Assyrian Panels, with this exact figure – go over to LACMA.Elephants were also a big part of the set, not sure if they are any more accurate than the winged deities. Yes, I went up to that balcony and took the same picture that millions of others do. Sorry it’s somewhat blurry. I didn’t bring my good camera. Of course as someone who loves walking the old neighborhoods of LA I can tell you there are much better vista points for this iconic sign.

I always tell people, no matter where they are walking, no matter what city. Look up, stop for a moment and really take at the buildings around you, you will be surprised by what you see.

Leah

I love LA, Last Remaining Seats

In my daily life I don’t think much about LA as Hollywood. Most of us live very ordinary lives, even those who work in the business. Things are different in June. The Last Remaining Seats put on by the LA conservancy. For 28 years their biggest fundraiser has been a chance to view classic movies in the classic theaters along Broadway.

This year the old United Artist Theater is back in the game. Ace Hotels bought the theater and adjacent building a few years ago and created a wonderful boutique hotel. They continued the wonderful work of Dr. Gene Scott of the University Cathedral Church. They occupied the theater for 20 years. Churches don’t make changes to theaters when they own them, they have no problem with the raked floors and often are fine with the heavy ornamentation of these old movie palaces. Dr. Scott loved and cared for this theater. Ace hotels has done many necessary upgrades as well.

It was quite an honor that the debut of the Theater was the movie Back to the Future. We arrived early, to get in line, no reserved seats. This is what greeted us at the front door.A local car buff recently purchased the original DeLaorean from a prop house. That is the overboard on the passenger seat.This one already has the Fushion tank that Dr. Brown brings back from the future.

The line to get in wound around the block, true to my name – no idle hands even in line.Me knitting a sock.

Then it was into the lobby where my mind was blown. Sorry about the quality of the photos. I brought my small camera, not very good for dark shots. But how can I not share this incredible building??Gothic is probably the best way to describe the decor.I’m glad they retained some of the church decorations. Most people in LA are familiar with the ‘Jesus Saves’ sign that stood atop the building for years, it has been reinstalled behind the building. Unfortunately one aspect of all the construction going on downtown is that it isn’t as visible as it used to be. At least it is still there.We rushed in, grabbed seats as well as pictures, clearly I’m not the only one. Then out again to explore.Sorry this is so grainy but I had to get some Studio Hubris in here. Murals, here are better images as well. For some reason, being half a block south of 9th street put this theater out of the district. The Orpheum is half a block away and was very successful. This one – not so much.This is shot from the upper balcony, love how the mirror reflects the mob down in the lobby.Details of the ceilingUnknown sculpture down by the women’s bathrooms.

Then it was on to the movie. One great thing about Last Remaining Seats is that before each movie there is a short live offering. This time it was Leonard Maltin interviewing, Lea Thompson – Lorraine, Claudia Wells – Jennifer and Donald Fullilove – who will become mayor in the future. He was having so much fun taking photos of us.

An amazing Los Angeles experience, have I mentioned how much I love this city?

Leah

A few blocks in Pasadena

Pasadena is lovely, always has been. Lucky for us many of the older buildings remain. About 25 years ago the western end of Colorado Blvd regentrified and became a very popular destination. It is interesting to see how the process is moving east along the Blvd. This is true of the original development of the city.

Colorado Blvd is the main street in Pasadena, like Wilshire in LA or Ventura Blvd. in the valley.

Yesterday I met a friend for lunch. I walked three short blocks and captured these wonderful details on the buildings.Linden Optometry, Yes, their marquee sort of gets in the way of the wonderful tile work, but not in a bad way. This is stunning tile work on an Art Deco building. Here is the info I found:

Warner Building

built 1927, by Jess Stanton

The Warner Building was built by Gladding, McBean and Company. It is remarkable for the incredible Art Deco green-glazed terra cotta grille over the display windows. The grille was designed by Jess Stanton of the Marston and Maybury design firm; he also did design work on the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The Warner Building was originally occupied by a row of exclusive shops that catered to wealthy visitors, especially from the nearby Maryland Hotel. The building has long been occupied by Linden Optometry and is sometimes referred to as the Linden Optometry Building.

I got this info from this website City of Pasadena, unfortunately there was no way to link just to this info, so that is why I copied and pasted. Btw, Gladding, McBean didn’t build the building, they made the tiles. They are the oldest tile company still in existence in California. One of these days I need to write a post just on that company.This looks like one big mold, I can easily find the repeat, but still, this isn’t a piece of fabric, it’s glazed terra cotta! I’d love more information about how was made.Here is the info about this building. Pasadena Star News building, today the Cordon Bleu Culinary institute is housed here. I love that I captured two of the students standing outside. That was pure coincidence.

The blade sign for 24 Fitness should probably come down, they aren’t there anymore. But then again, by now it might simply be part of the building. There isn’t purity in architectures, building change and evolve with time and that is ok.Across the street are more offices of the Cordon Bleu, in the window – decorative cakes. Really like the sugar sculpture of the swan and blue rose.Details, details. Patio World now occupies this building, I notice things like the cornice over the doorway. The balcony is probably original, not sure about the scrolls that hold up the awning. If they are new – they work very well here.More design elements on the side of the building. My guess- more Gladding McBean Tile. I love how I captured the reflection of the palm tree. So SoCal.Along the side walk, decorative tile. This does not look like Gladding McBean at all. It could easily be Mexican tile. Pasadena is full of decorative tile.The mosaic behind Vroman’s Bookstore. This mosaic is made of tile as well, not glass.Sorry the image is blurry. I shot this to show the tile risers, but yet again, I love the human and dog aspects of this picture much more.

Lunch was lovely, yes, I will be taking my camera with me where ever I go. There are interesting things to see – if you open your eyes, take a moment and look.

Leah