Ring the bells

Two years ago, this planter box appeared along the sidewalk at a nearby school. Shortly thereafter, stalks of corn emerged from the soil within and became one of my favorite places to stop and pause during strolls in the neighborhood.

The lyrics/poetry of Leonard Cohen were scrawled on the front of the box back then and slowly faded to a point of being barely discernable…until recently, that is. Once again, the box springs forth with inspiration for anyone who cares to stop and read as they walk on by.

ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that’s how the light gets in

– Leonard Cohen

Happy 4th!

This is far from the typical July 4th image, but it’s one of my favorite found flag moments. And it reminds me that I need to walk around the Mission with my camera with a little more frequency.

Film and gifts…still for sale?

During a visit to Washington, DC, in the fall of 2008, I was struck by the technological datedness of this sign. Even then, a mere 2 1/2 years ago, I imagined that most tourists to The Mall and environs were using digital cameras and their phones. I doubt the sign catered to someone like me who did indeed have film in her camera and could have run out at a moments notice.

Can someone tell me if this sign (and many more like it) are still decorating our nation’s capital? And if so, does it actually lead you to film?