Courthouse Reflection

I like how our new Superior Court building is bathed in reflections. Not only do you see the reflection of trees and buildings on the courthouse windows, but you also see the wonderful play of light and shadows reflecting from the building overhang.

Today, I'm hanging out at Weekend Reflections. Come see other caught reflections by bloggers worldwide by clicking here.

Sidewalk Signs in Downtown Hollister

Sandwich board signs in front of stores are rather quaint and personable. I saw quite a few of them when I was strolling through town the other day. I think the cutest of all the signs I saw was the one for Irma's Fashions. 

Until recently the City of Hollister prohibited the sidewalk signs. Don't know why, but I'm glad they decided to let businesses put out their signs again. Not only for the quaintness they bring to downtown Hollister, but also the business they bring to the shops and restaurants when customers suddenly pop in because they saw the signs.

Just Like in the Movies. Not.

Fire escapes are fascinating such as this one on the old Pendergrass Hotel at the corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets.

At the time of the Loma Prieta Quake (in 1989), the first husband and I were living on the second floor of a three-story brownstone apartment building across from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. When the building stopped rumbling and shaking, we raced to the front door, but it was blocked by fallen bookshelves and a whole lot of books. Without any hesitation, we ran over to the window and climbed out onto the rooftop over the garages. We started to climb down the fire escape only to find that we would have to jump over 12 feet down to the sidewalk. We did not.

Until that moment, I always thought once you got to the bottom rung of a fire escape, it would automatically and smoothly deliver you to the sidewalk. Just like in the movies.  Ha!

Hopefully, the fire escape of the old Pendergrass Hotel was never used. And, if it was, what did the people do when they got to that last rung?

It's Wednesday, so I'm hanging out at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday checking other J posts. I invite you to join me by clicking here.

A Puddy Cat

The other day, I was standing in front of the Porter House on Monterey Street, fantasizing yet again about having an office in the tower room. Then I gazed down to the front porch, which I also admire, when I saw something on the drying lawn.

I "taut I taw a puddy cat."

And, just as Tweety Bird said, "I did, I did. I did see a puddy cat."

If you'd like to know a bit of history about the Porter House and see a photo of the tower, please click here.

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm hanging out. Come join me by clicking here.

The Hidden Deer Hunter

This is what I like about Photoshop: By cropping and enlarging a part of an image, I find treasure. For instance, I don't think I would have ever noticed the deer hunter in the mural on the old Muenzer's store on Fifth Street in downtown Hollister. All these years, I thought it was just a deer up there. But, then, after all, Muenzer's was where folks used to buy their sporting goods and fishing and hunting licenses.

Here's the full image of the deer mural, which is on the right-hand side of the store name. (And, if you click here, you can see a close-up of the other side of the mural.)

Today, I'm hooking up at Monday Mural. Hope you'll join me to check out murals from other parts of the world by clicking here.

A San Benito Street Reflection

As I passed by the  Best of Times Cafe the other morning, I couldn't help but stop to take a photo of the reflection in the restaurant's window.  Wouldn't you?

I'm hanging out at Weekend Reflections today. Come join me by clicking here.

Beyond Wentz Alley

The wondrous things I can see while waiting for the Husband to pay the utility bill in downtown Hollister.

I'm taking part in The Weekend in Black and White. Click here to check out other B&W photos from bloggers around the world.