Mitsuwa curiosities…

This is a hand massager that you can disguise as Rome’s famous “Mouth of Truth.” You just put the little cutout in front of the massager, then stick your hand in, and then your hand gets stuck in a death grip while the machine makes a loud growling laughter sound. How relaxing.

Totally cute packaging, but the farmer seems to be planning something nefarious and the horse has no idea. That weird baby in the corner just looks evil.

“Let us out!”

What’s in the neighborhood gardens?

I told you it was a boring month.

It’s called Yesterday Today and Tomorrow. And it’s just about my favorite plant on the walk.

Except for maybe this dragon blood tree. Rather unusual to see growing on someone’s patio.

Got something you’re ashamed of that needs covering up?

I love the colors of these. I have no idea what they’re called, but those green stripes look painted on.

My favorite local organ pipe cactus.

January 2026 Starts with what’s left behind…

I went to an estate sale in a nearby neighborhood.

There are two ways to look at them. It’s either sad to see a house once happily occupied empty and disheveled, and a deceased person’s things greedily pawed through, or it’s comforting to see a home that was obviously well-loved for a long time, and the things they once used ready to be useful or cherished by another.

I choose the second option.