Odd Signs & Symbols

We were at the Sedona Public Library today, and enjoyed the big patio outside.  We were there about 15 minutes before they open so we had a chance to explore, and we liked the variety of memorial stones added to the walkways. There are most often the names of loved ones or past donors to library causes.  But sometimes they are quirky quotes or little bits with personality. I can do without the ones that are references to scripture or bible quotes.  You can't commemorate your loved ones without pushing your religion at everyone who walks by? Here are the ones that resonated the most with us today.  Motivational or positive, or bits of wisdom, from any source: I have often wondered exactly how these memorials are submitted or selected.  There must be some charitable process that gets the words onto the commemorative tiles, with some amount of donation.  I could not find this on the website for this particular library, but all kinds of other donations are ...

We were walking at Jacks Pond in San Marcos CA a few weekends ago and saw this new public project: a "rock snake" where anyone can paint a rock and add it to the designated snake-shaped area. This gave us some ideas for future craft projects.  We could paint some rocks and add them to the mix.  What a fun way to add color to the park area.  Part of my brain says it would be nice to know who painted each rock, that it would be good to at least include your initials.  My other half says it should be entirely anonymous.  Just add a rock like everyone else.  There's no credit for this.  It's for the community. Oddly, we were in Sedona AZ today at the public library, and there was a brand new baby rock snake starting right in front of the book store. This was either a very odd coincidence, or some widespread new form of community art project.  We will keep our eyes open for more of these.  It looks like they are popping up in many places.  He...

We stayed at a brand new hotel in Buckeye, Arizona, the "My Place" on Watson Ave.  There were switched and buttons we could not figure out.  I did not order a special handicap-accessible room, but we seemed to be the only room on the 4th floor with a "hearing-impaired door alert" button. And I'm not sure everyone else got a "hearing-impaired master switch" either.  I think the desk guy confirmed that you turn on the switch inside the room to activate the "doorbell" outside the door. As for which category of "signs and symbols" this would be ... it would fall under "accessible." They also had this pleasantly snarky "Do Not Disturb" flapper on the doorknob.

We stayed at a brand new hotel in Buckeye, Arizona, the "My Place" on Watson Ave.  We were surprised to see a full, industrial-strength fire system in the stairwell.  Every floor had a place to hook up a fire hose, with all the heavy-duty valves and support systems. As for which category of "signs and symbols" this would be ... it would fall under "safety check."

Here's a sign I don't think you will find anywhere else in the world: "A gift shop is located inside the apatosaurus." We knew there was a collection of big dinosaur sculptures out in Cabazon, on the way to Palm Springs, so we stopped for a visit.  The wind was blasting a steady 35-45 mph the whole time.  You can get out and take picture under the big red apatosaurus ("Choose Love"), or in front of the 25-foot green and white T-Rex ("I Love You").  The visitors were blown away (ha ha) and having a blast (ha ha) striking silly poses and getting pictures taken as fast as they could. Sure enough, you enter at the tail and walk up stairs inside the tail to get to a roomy gift shop chock full of plastic animals, plush animals, shirts, books cards and more.  There was a collection of dinos about 3-4 feet long on the way in and out.  This was an amazing collection of art and nostalgia, by someone who obviously enjoys the lore behind the creatures on displ...