Ranch Reubidoux and Watts Towers

Hmm... What a couple days.  It's interesting how things work out. I think I tend experience quite a bit of synchronisity and serendipity.  Today I had to go to Watts, out of the blue to run a errand, and on my way back to the the freeway I decided I should at least try to come across the famous Watts Towers. Luck struck and I didn't even have to go more than a block off course.   As I stood looking at these incredible structures I reflected on a few things. I thought about the look of the neighborhood that possesses the towers,  these incredible spires seemed to have no effect on the look of the houses around them. No artists flocked to their beauty. Everywhere just the same depressed houses. And I wonder if what beauty I can create in my neighborhood, which I call "ghetto lite"  and will I ever feel the effects of what I do.

And then I thought about Rueben of Rancho Reubidoux (ranchoreubidoux.wordpress.com), and how he would probably incorporate the Watts Towers into his garden if only someone would put them on Craigslist.  Yesterday I was fortunate to visit his garden with Denise of the blog, agrowingobsession.com.  It's not often you get to see something that is so truly unique.  Rueben has like Rumplestiltskin spun gold from mere straw, carefully collecting and curating "junk" and assembling it into three dimensional and living collages. Denise and I both envied his restraint,  his garden is not full of plants like our gardens but studded with living pieces of sculpture. Throughout the garden there are "moments" and vignettes, which are as playful as they are beautiful, and surprisingly they all felt at home, not contrived.  Bravo Reuben!

Watts Towers

Rancho Reubidoux