Secret Gardens

Today was the opening of the 34th Annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival, right down the street from me. With the demise of WestFest, which was a similar undertaking in neighboring Westfield, Massachusetts, it's now the longest-running art festival in the area.

The festival is free, but there was a $5 charge for the "Secret Gardens of Mattoon Street" tour. I'd seen most of them, as I know the owners, but in order to support my local neighborhood organization, and because a friend of mine who is less familiar with Mattoon Street's "secrets" was interested in poking around, I took the tour.

Suburbanites marvelled at every climbing vine, every stone urn, potted geranium, mossy paving stone, billowy muslin curtain. I personally was partial to the Haitian drum art, and Donna to Mr. Lucky the beagle, which was a happy coincidence. Both were gracing the same garden, along with comfy chairs, and the owners were not averse to tourgoers sitting in them. Thanks, Maggie!

My Hairdo

I like stone, especially old statues of beasts with odd expressions. Italy happens to be full of them. Here's a lion that qualifies, guarding the square of the Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi .

Not only that, he's got exactly the same hairdo as I have!