That's Gneiss! #167 ~ Your neighborhood IS fascinating!
Plus: the week of hell, and a gazillion little circles
Hello friends,
I debated whether to go ahead with my planned topic for today, considering the events of the past week. I decided that yes, I will do so as I think we all need a few moments of distraction from the news. I do want to acknowledge that after nearly a year of the pandemic, wildfires and smoke last summer, a stressful election season, and now the coup attempt committed by domestic terrorists (call it what it is) - my mind is shot. Some days I’m sad, others I’m angry, and on some days I’m okay. This week added fright to the range of emotions - as more information comes out it’s clear a faction of the mob was highly organized with very specific intentions. They failed this time - barely. I can’t shake thoughts of “what if?” and “what’s next?” So, like all of you I wait to see what fresh hell develops over the next few days. It isn’t over, and if you don’t feel okay that’s to be expected. It was really helpful to read How to Work Through a Coup on Culture Study while I was trying to do just that. Go easy on yourself, and on others. None of this is normal - it’s traumatic.
Okay then - on to my planned topic for the day…
Recently a friend commented on one of my many posts of the strange stuff I see while out walking that his neighborhood is not fascinating like mine is. I disagree - all neighborhoods have their quirks and points of interest. Even the most manicured spots have their secrets ready to be discovered. Sometimes we forget to look, or expect something really obvious and weird to present itself.
It doesn’t work like that. Observation requires active participation on your part.
If you’re walking through the same neighborhood every day, it’s possible you’re tuned out your surroundings. Maybe you’re looking at your phone, or listening to music or a podcast while you walk. If you want to really see your neighborhood (or wherever you’re walking), I recommend not doing either of those things. The phone only comes out to take a photo of something interesting.
I want to acknowledge here that not everyone lives in an easily walkable place. If that’s the case for you, travel to a nearby spot where you can take a walk through somebody else’s neighborhood. Also, walking is an activity that isn’t easy or available to everyone because of health considerations. There are observation activities that can be done while sitting in one spot - I’ll talk about that in a future newsletter.
What does one look for? There’s all sorts of possibilities, and if you’re trying this out for the first time you might focus on one thing. Unusual or spectacular trees are a good place to start. Most neighborhoods have trees. This trio of cedars with symmetrical branches was an instant favorite the first time I saw them.
This morning we also passed one of the houses with a palm tree. Palms are not native here, but there are some varieties that are used in landscaping. I saw two more in somebody’s backyard that I hadn’t noticed before - probably because I’d already focused on this one!
What else is there to see?
SO MUCH.
Does your neighborhood have alleys? Alleys are a potential gold mine of interesting sights. Derelict cars often lurk behind people’s homes.
I feel like there’s a story behind every one of these vehicles.
There’s even something intriguing about garage doors. If you’re lucky the people in your neighborhood paint art on them. I haven’t seen that around here, but they’re still interesting.
What else can you look for?
Birds (take those headphones out, I mean it! Otherwise you won’t hear that flock of geese overhead, or the crows dive bombing the hawk in a nearby tree.)
Cats (friendly, or really judgy)
Dogs (loud, can’t miss them)
Garden art
Flowers
Free stuff
Architecture
Signs (TYPOGRAPHY)
Count something
Faces in things
And holiday decorations. If you’re as “lucky” as I am, you’ll have an enthusiastic neighbor that fills their yard with every-holiday-under-the-sun inflatables.
That’s right folks - January 10th and they’ve already got their hideous Valentine’s decorations up. WHYYYYYYYYY
One of the few things we have control of right now is our own actions in our immediate surroundings. The days are getting a little longer, and weather permitting a walk around outside is a great activity to detach from the endless stream of disturbing news.
It’s fun to follow other kindred wanderers. If you’re on Instagram, I recommend Hidden Houses of Seattle (what’s behind that hedge?!), tendersociety (we WILL walk together someday!), and Seattle Walk Report.
Thank you HR for the comment that inspired my writing today. Your neighborhood is fascinating! I guarantee it - my Google street view investigation suggests you have alleys.
I hope we all get through the next week okay. In case you need something odd to calm yourself, here’s a possum drinking ice water, from Possum Every Hour. Stay safe my friends.
Tidbits
Need a little escapism these days? Try one (or all) of these
Zillow Gone Wild - every a post is a “wait for it” experience. What bizarre thing will you see next? Recent fave - The Mineshaft House
Decorhardcore - my eyes!
Global Geologic Map - zoom in, zoom out, add fault lines or fossils… even draw an elevation profile between two points! (thanks HP!)
m.r.macro - VERY TINY things (slime mold, mites, etc.)
sarahlapuerta - artist, musician
Public Domain Review - get lost in art or words
Radiooooo - world music by decade
Reading: I finished Black Sun (READ IT). I’m off to a brisk start for the year, which seems to be the case every year. I FINISHED TWO BOOKS THIS WEEK. World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments - this was not quite what I expected. The author, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, talked of her life intertwined with the natural world. Lovely. I also realized I am behind on Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, so I’ve decided to catch up on those. These are middle-grade graphic novels highlighting a variety of events and people in American history, with particular focus on the grim and gross aspects (Donner Dinner Party, anyone?). I read Major Impossible, the story of Major John Wesley Powell’s first trip through the Grand Canyon. Now I want to read more.
Art Zone
What happens when you mix maps with collage art? You get the beautiful work of Dutch artist Rosa, known as cartograaf on Instagram. I love how she creates images from small colorful bits of maps.
Many of her scenes are fairly accurate depictions of location.
The detail of her work gives it a 3-dimensional feel.
Check out her website for postcards, posters, jewelry and more.
Music of the Week
This week’s video is really just music to listen to - thus the switch in name of this section. I realize that more often than not I post music, thus the name change for this section. I’ll highlight other non-music videos accordingly. :-)
I dare you to sit still!
Current Temperature: 50.4F (10.2 C)
Current Humidity: 83%
Wind (max gust): 9.2 mph
Precipitation: 0.02 in
I share your love of actively observing the weird and wonderful in our own neighborhoods. I used to have a blog called Upstate Oddities where I would feature unusual sightings found while driving around or hiking up in the Catskills. John said I should start a new one and call it Curiosities of the Coast! Perhaps I will. Alleys are always cool to explore - my daughter's neighborhood in Portland has many and we love walking them and checking out the rear views of the houses on either side.
Thanks for another great newsletter - so many new IG accounts to follow! 💜
alleys are my favorite part of any neighborhood!!! i love a good wander, and i agree that taking out headphones and just listening to the sounds of the neighborhood is a great way to perambulate. i have actually been not listening to the radio in my car either lately; i find i notice a lot more about my world if i'm just driving and looking around. i used to need a soundtrack for everything, but lately i am finding that i enjoy a bit of silence.
i also happen to live really close to an old cemetery. one of my favorite things to do is walk down the street and wander through it. it's not very big, but it's lovely, and there are some very old headstones that are interesting. when the weather clears up a bit i should start taking photos of the good ones. i've always meant to!