It was better in person! You’ll find this garden in picture calendars, art history books, travel guidebooks, and now here. It’s the ultimate Zen rock garden called Ryoanji in Kyoto, Japan.

Subliminal faces. Otsu-e was an old Japanese folk art movement. The ink paintings featured gods, supernatural animals, and satirical situations drawn with lively brushstrokes. Cool things to think about. This “ghost” on my patio resembled an Otsu-e goblin with its exaggerated round eyes and jutting jawline.

Parking lots provide surprisingly good photo ops. (Location in Altadena, CA)

Thank God for Spill-chick. The poor restaurant had the misspelling on two sides and the front of this awning. This was the proofreader’s clever solution. (Unknown designer)

Subliminal Shadows. Interesting shadows are all over the place but this snapshot has poignant text on the pole. (Location at China Camp, SF)