Fast Food Graffiti and More

Time once again for a roundup of random photos. First, some darkly amusing graffiti I found on Finchley Road yesterday. It does feel that way sometimes, doesn't it? I read an upsetting New York Times story yesterday about how Europe, in a quest to find alternative energy sources, is cutting old-growth forests to burn the wood. This is touted as an environmentally friendly solution, even though burning wood not only destroys valuable ecological habitat but may create more greenhouse gases than burning coal. Argh! One step forward, two steps back.

So, yeah, that graffiti resonated with me.

A neighbor set out this little basin full of stones at the edge of their front garden near the street. I wondered what it was for, but then on the BBC show "Gardener's World," the host suggested putting out water for wildlife during dry spells and recommended just this -- a bowl filled with stones and water. So I guess this is for the foxes and any other critters that wander by.

A bulletin board at school has been covered in this fabric, which caught my eye. It looks vaguely Eastern European, I think.

On our recent walk at the cemetery Olga and I found this little toy hedgehog propped up on a gravestone. At first I thought a child dropped it, but then I wondered if it's actually a dog toy. It looks a bit gnawed.

I saw this guy's ad on my walk home a few days ago. I love the pictures. I'm tempted to hire him -- "London's funkiest" pet sitter!

These were set out on a garden wall for someone to take. Someone was making lace, it looks like? They might even be antique.

Another household threw away several bags of dishes. I was amused by the "Shabbat: Just Do It" mug.
 

This cat lives up the street from us. A couple of weeks ago we got a note through our letter box saying that Walter, a Siamese from that address, had gone missing. I'm pretty sure this is Walter, so I was glad to see him yesterday afternoon, sitting in front of his house as usual. I guess he just went for a wander. He's quite friendly unless Olga is with me.

Finally, to bookend the dire graffiti at the top, here's more art from Finchley Road -- someone's fast-food meal. I can't imagine what prompted them to draw it on a wall!