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12/24/2023
More secret lives of side streets…
Now that the weather has cooled down, I am venturing out to explore my neighborhood. The more I get around, the more I find these interesting little gems that most westerners would never see. Take for example, this wonderful mural of a countryside. I guess when you live in the heart of the concrete jungle, one way to brighten things up, or escape, is to bring a bit of the countryside to you. I can't help but wonder what village the painter was thinking of during this labor of love?
![Mural of countryside on a wall in an alley off a street](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/669615/w/2000/wnVF5l9AJz-8/Street1.jpg)
![picture of alley with a half wall covered by an awning. Under the awning is a picture of purple flowers on a treebranch](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/669616/w/2000/3cup1BwStH5d/street2.jpg)
This hidden jewel caught my eye when I took a different route to my local market place. From a distance it looked like an old, dirty sign from days gone by. As, I approached it, however, I was blown away. I wonder who did this? Did the person who spent countless hours stitching this ever think it would end up in a back alley on display to be enjoyed by me? What does the Chinese? say in the upper left hand corner say?
Totally did not expect to see a picture done in needlepoint! My Ma would have loved to see this picture. One of her hobbies was doing needlepoint and cross stitch…and she had a love for Asian artwork.
![Close-up picture of purple flowers on a tree branch is doen in needlepoint. There is what appears to be Chinese characters and a read seal in upper left hand corner.](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/669617/w/2000/-AEw20JLbU8V/street3.jpg)
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