Of Diversions

(Editor’s Note: For those who might be new to this blog, and/or just forgot, I occasionally mention “Steve”. Steve refers to a stroke that I experienced about 3 years ago. The reader, you, probably won’t even notice “Steve” unless your notice any egregious grammar mistakes.)

(Addendum: So, I started this a while ago before the “Hands Off” protest April 5. Today is June 12, this speaks to my life when I’m in school. I slack on everything except school. I guess that means I titled this post appropriately and presciently as that the “No Kings” protest is coming up this weekend.

Every weekend I walked with Roan along the Virginia Corridor and I have continued this habit after he passed. I usually follow the same in and out route but last Saturday I did it backward, meaning I started at the usual ‘out’ and ended at the usual ‘in’, because I was wanted to check out the “Hands Off” protest. So I moseyed over to Five Points to where it was going to start. (If you unfamiliar with Modesto, “Five Points” marks a spot where five streets intersect and is marked by a bronze sculpture depicting our claim to fame the movie “American Graffiti” which is based on the life of George Lucas who lived here. Sorry for the tangent.)

Along the way this mural caught my eye.

It was very bright in the 10:00 a.m. light and I was impressed with my little burb. Just behind me was this mural.

I have noticed murals around town but haven’t really stopped to appreciate them. After snapping some pics I headed over to the protest.

While this particular post is mostly about murals I did also notice these

Looked down and saw this. Thought it was neat but wondered, “The Eagles”?

Clearly this one was a work in progress. Nonetheless, neat.

I looked to my right and I saw this one. Took a photo. Then I became slightly confused. I guess it represents a badge clearly demonstrates patriotism but what is up withe the “SS”? “ZZ”? Hmmm.

Following the protest and into the next morning I explored murals around downtown. There are a lot. For instance:

Many of the murals are in alleys so I fudged around with size. Apparently I am using “spatial” lens correctly.

On the opposite side of this ally was

Which continued along the wall…..

In a particularly narrow alley. View these as one giant mural.

I need to take a photography class. I tried to piecemeal this taking several shots.

Definitely the trippy-ist.

Some of the practice shots.

Had I not taken the practice I would have not seen this…

Flying pigs, chickens, cows and grounded rat traps.

I think the one on the left is my favorite.

As was taking these diversions I was thinking about the evolution of places. I remember thinking, “Wow, Modesto is all growed up (weepy emoji)”. The presence of works of art in public spaces reflect the character of the place. But the cannot be created until places have experienced history. A when I village, town, or city grows it’s art evolves with it.