We moved to small condo downtown at River Front Plaza from our beloved midtown home of 22 years. And if you don't think moving even just 2 miles away is disruptive, think again! For about three months leading up to the move, all we did was cart things to Good Will or Friends of the Library, and call friends to see if they would like certain pictures and momentos, since we were downsizing from a three bedroom, two bath, plus basement and garage to a two bedroom, one bath with a parking space below the complex. Then there was the move. Then unpacking and finding a place for things. Here I am at our front door, masked, of course. Below, I am unmasked, proof I still look like a real person. (In that pic, I'm taking pictures for a "guided tour" I gave on Facebook, lol.)
Before I move on, speaking of masks and such things, how are you weathering the Covid challenges? I hope none of you have been ill or lost someone. (We haven't lost anyone, but we learned three of our relatives in India were hospitalized with it. Thankfully, it was not fatal and they are home, now.)
I'm not doing a guided tour here. Instead, I want to share with you some of the fun things I've seen on my walks. I love street art (well every kind of art), and I especially like murals. In midtown, there were many, and I'm afraid I took them too much for granted to take pictures. But there are many here downtown, too, and here are two of my favorites:
Aren't they lovely? Each So different, but they give me a lift. I especially love the mother and child to the left.Then there are the painted utility boxes! I had noticed a few in midtown, but usually I was usually on my way to somewhre and didn't wonder too much about them. But there is a project all over downtown and midtown called the Capitol Box Art Project. Various local artists paint one of the utility boxes, and on all sides. Here are some samples from my walks:
Cool, right? Here is their link if you want to know more about the project or the artists: https://capitolboxart.com
On another note, in the months I've been away (since April!) things seem to have changed in Blogger's layout. I'm going to have to study the changes, because, frankly, these pictures are much more spread out than I wanted them to be. Sorry.
But it's great to be back!
How about you? Do you like to take walks around your neighborhood and look for special sights? Yard art? Beautiful trees? Lovely gardening by someone who loves plants? Did you enjoy these painted utility boxes? Do you find moving disruptive?
Moving IS disruptive.
ReplyDeleteI love public art and seeing these (or indeed any of them) would brighten my day.
Welcome back.
Congrats on your new home. Any move would have been more stressful in a pandemic. Love all your pictures. I'm still figuring out the new blogger too.
ReplyDeleteHi, EC. You are right, public art is a day brightener when walking around. I love art and I love gardens and nature, and this part of Sacramento is so beautifully landscaped that it's a real pleasure on both counts.
ReplyDeletethanks for the good wishes, Sandra. Yes, I thought the art was wonderful, too. Really accomplished artists at work. You stay safe, too.
ReplyDeleteHi, Natalie, thanks for stopping by. I"m glad you like the pictures. Once you figure the new Blogger out, I'd like to pick your brain (lol(, I always find techie changes daunting.
ReplyDeleteLove the art.
ReplyDeleteMany congrats on your new home. Wishing you much happiness in it.
Condolences on the actual move:(
All moves are challenging, and two miles is two miles away from what was home. Glad you're past the worst of it.
ReplyDeleteNo advice on mask wearing. It's necessary, but not something I hope to get used to. It makes outings, especially in the current heatwaves we're having, very un-fun :'(
Hi, Mirka. I visited your blog yesterday and tried to leave a comment but got the message I couldn't deliver it via Safari. Hmm. Have to think about what to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you stopped by. I agree with you, masks are necessary (we wear them everywhere). But they are hot in this weather. Still, this, too, will pass. Hope your writing is going well. Have a great day.
Oh, I just visited your blog again, and it looks like my comment did go through after all. As I said in this post, I have to learn to navigate the new blogger. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! And congrats on surviving. We moved from a house we'd lived in a little longer than you. So. Much. STUFF! lol
ReplyDeleteHi, Weaver. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, getting rid of stuff was the most time consuming and wearing part of it. You don't realize how much of a pack rat you are becoming through the years.
ReplyDeleteLovely artwork on the utility boxes! Ingenious idea whoever thought of doing it! Moving can be so disruptive! We've done close to 15 moves over 40 years so I'm a pro with it LOL. The hardest moves are the ones that are close I found. Moving to a different state was so much easier especially if you had movers coming in because you knew you had to be ready by a certain date. Moving across town or just around the block is harder especially if you have a few days or week to do the move. Takes forever to get the last things out of the house; at least in our case! Moved in 2016 and hope that was our last move!!
ReplyDeletebetty
I would have been here sooner, Elizabeth, but I'm playing catch-up after my internet (and phone) provider had me offline for 10 days. At least I learned they will soon update me to fiber optics. Now I have copper wiring.
ReplyDeleteMoving IS hard. Like you, I downsized when I moved to a new state. I was moving to go to school, as I had been accepted into a Ph.D. program. I went from 2 story four bedroom to 1 story and basement. I had to build my own second bath. Not sure I'll live here forever, but I'm sure I'm like you and don't plan to move again if I can keep from it.
So glad you checked in and let us know your status. I was starting to worry about you and when I didn't see your husband's masked face, then saw you had posted, I was so happy. I would love to see more of your home because I'm not on facebook.
How charming, those painted utility boxes!
ReplyDeleteHi, Betty, Thanks for stopping by. I so relate to all that you said. We've moved altogether about 6 times before dropping anchor for good, we thought, a t our beloved home of 22 years. Well, it really is good to be in smaller quarters with less housekeeping, but this 2 mile move was by far the most exhausting! Whew! Good luck with your own plans.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you again, Elizabeth (& Bleubeard). Glad your phone provider will soon update you. I'm impressed that you built your own 2nd bath. Many talents, I must say.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I'll see if I can slip in some pictures of the new place. We went from 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, cluttered basement and cluttered garage, to a two bedroom one bath, one paring place in the complex's underground garage, so you can imaging the downsizing!
Have a great day, and I'm looking forward to your next Art Journal posting.
Hi, Vicki, thanks for coming by. Yes, I really like those painted utility boxes so much. Every time I take my walk, I discover new ones. Likewise my husband. The artists who participate are professional artists, so the finished boxes are professional level quality. They are so cheering to see.
ReplyDeleteYes, moving even a short distance can be disruptive and a challenge. Hope you are enjoying your new pad. Good luck with the new Blogger format. It does take a little bit to get the swing of it. :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic street art!
~Jess
Thanks for the visit, Jess. Glad you like the street art. Yes, we are enjoying the new place. Every now and then I try to go to a non-existent doorway and remember that was the last house (lol). But we are getting used to all the little differences.
ReplyDeleteMoving is definitely disruptive. Glad you have settled in and how lucky you are to have so much gorgeous street art within walking distance.
ReplyDeleteYes, we really like the street art. It makes taking a walk so much more interesting. We are also lucky that Sacramento is famously a "city of trees", and all the greenery is so refreshing on hot days when we walk.
ReplyDeleteAre you getting settled in?
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Elizabeth. Your photos of our city celebrate the beauty of details: art and artists encouraging us despite a dreadful pandemic. Yes, we have lost friends to it --wiped out the entire family next door, including a dear friend of 60 years. I'm in my 70s and have never experienced this short of war. You and Rajan take care and stay safe. You're important to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, Geo.! I am so sorry you lost your neighbors nad friends. My deepest sympathies! We have been lucky so far. Three of my husband's family in India had to be hospitalized with Covid-19, but they all pulled through and are home now. Luckily, we were able to talk to one of them and see her on my husband's smart phone. These are truly difficult times. Hope you and Norma stay safe and well.
ReplyDeleteSandra, yes, we are pretty well settled in, now. Now I'm taking more pictures on my walks for the next post. Downtown is just lovely - so many murals, so much landscaping. Truly restful walks. Hope all is well with you and yours.
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