Today I sat for several minutes at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park gazing out at the Karesansui, or Dry Stone Garden. I must’ve entered a meditative state of mind, because as I viewed the ruggedly beautiful stones and perfectly raked gravel a vision came to me.
In the past I learned the significance of the elements in a Japanese rock garden, so this tiny three sentence story, or poem, which I titled Across the Stone Garden, might not be entirely original or surprising.
But I think it’s a bit magical, and you might like it anyway.
I would like to express gratitude to those teachers who’ve introduced my story One Thousand Likes to students recently using Google Classroom. I observe my website stats and am stunned. I never imagined such a small story would be read by so many. It’s a writer’s wildest dream come true!
Now it’s time to start brainstorming again!
There are many more places to walk in San Diego and many more photographs to take. Unexpected new adventures await! Thanks for coming along!
Favorite fairy tale and storybook characters live in a mural by the Linda Vista Library.
A mural painted on a building wall next to the Linda Vista Branch of the San Diego Public Library promotes children’s reading. Books take wing and fly!
Small scenes from fairy tales and fables appear in a colorful landscape surrounding a castle. The mural is home to The Tortoise and the Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Puss in Boots, the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, Mother Goose, the Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and other classic storybook characters.
Murals fade, but worlds painted by human imagination do not.
Flights of imagination. Timeless stories take wing.Once upon a time there were magic books that could fly. Their goal was to teach children.
Soar to new heights. Read.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I also write fiction. Like fairy tales, my short stories concern life. You can read them at my website Short Stories by Richard.
There’s a very cool mural painted on the side of Lhooq Books & The Exrealism Nonprofit Project in Carlsbad, which occupies a small barn that was built in 1941. I happened to notice the artwork as I was walking down Carlsbad Village Drive. The artist, I learned, is professional skateboarder Kris Markovich.
Lhooq Books & The Exrealism Nonprofit Project, according to their website, is a vintage bookstore, espresso bar and underground venue, as well as the headquarters & a compound for “The Exrealism Project.”
Many phrases are written inside the mural’s abstract human faces. The words–which together read like a two dimensional poem or stream of consciousness–are raw and very real.
The words are disturbing and inspiring. They are disjointed and profound. They are expressions of doubt, and frustration, and confusion, and revelation.
The words tumble directly from a personal experience of life.
It is a mural painted with life.
DO THESE THOUGHTS SCARE YOU . . . THESE WORDS WILL CHANGE THE WORLDEXREALISM MY REDEMPTIONthe thawing of your heartSTUCK ONE PLACE BEHINDOPEN YOUR EYES YOU MIGHT LIKE WHAT YOU FINDEGO KILLERWe’re all mad here.YOUR WORRIES ARE JUSTIFIED . . . BROKEN PROMISEWORDS . . .OPEN FOR THE TAKING . . . MEANINGTHE LURK IN THE BUSHES KIND OF WEIRDi don’t knowBLEED FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONSYOU WANT THE BEAUTIFULWhat someone thinks of you is NONE of your business.I USED TO THINK I WAS AN ARTIST BUT I NO LONGER THINK ABOUT IT . . . I AM.We ALL suffer.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Imagine. (John Lennon mural in North Park by Rik Erickson and Sam Ballard.)This is the story of a man who sold his shadow to a little man in grey. (North Park art installation The Man Who Sold His Shadow by Derek Weiler.)He tries to get his shadow back.His beloved stops noticing him.He puts on his seven-league boots and travels the world.Footsteps on the sidewalk.Are we all still going to meet at the corner?Cats hidden in flowers.Deliberately covered eyes.Secrets.Skeleton takes to drinking.Light as a feather.A journey into space.Walking forward through life.
Did you enjoy this odd little story?
I took these photos during a walk through North Park on Saturday!
If you’d like to read some thought-provoking short stories (and several poems) click here.
I discovered a poem that was written on the sidewalk yesterday. Chalk words express gratitude.
You might enjoy reading this simple, heartfelt poetry:
I fell a far distance –
You caught me many, many
Times – Awoken revived thankful
to be alive – Living is a privilege
Take care – See the life you’ve
been given – Cherish it
The words came to me in Balboa Park while I listened to my friend Mitchell playing didgeridoo. People walking down El Prado would pause before the strange, resonant instrument. A brave few would dance.
As people came and went, I wondered what effect their movement might have on the planet. Both Mitchell and I are curious about strange, cosmic things.
Today I met two cool people during my walk around Balboa Park. One is a travelling poet, the other a Scottish bagpiper.
The poet’s name is DJ Leary. You can find him online @wordsbydj.
Danny was perched in front of an old manual typewriter by the entrance to the Casa Del Prado Theater. Inspired words were pouring (pounding?) out from his fingertips for curious passersby. I peered over his shoulder at sudden lines of truth. We talked just a little. We shared some experiences. I could tell in an instant that Danny loves writing and life’s endless mystery.
The bagpiper is Frank Hunter. He’s a member of the House of Scotland Pipe Band. I met him while I was walking across the grass at the International Cottages.
Frank kindly introduced me to the bagpipes: their ancient origin, evolution and important role in history. He brought out his instrument, assembled it, tuned it, and performed. He told me about his own heritage and how the Highland Light Infantry is his family regiment. He had much to say, and all of it was immensely fascinating.
I’ve heard Frank playing bagpipes around Balboa Park before, and I urge visitors to the park to listen for their unmistakable voice. You will not be disappointed.
Balboa Park is full of amazing people.
Simply smile and say hello.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 