architecture: The Perfect Yard For Your Staycation - (Landscape photographs included) - 05/20/08 05:49 PM
With the rising price of gas I believe many Americans will be spending more time at home.  You might as well enjoy your yard!
It just so happens my oldest son is a landscape artisan. Last night I went to a home in the Tower District to take some pictures of his latest workmanship. The homeowners did have a landscape designer who is responsible for the design. My son executed it, which is to say he built the walls you see, laid the flagstone and cement, installed the lights, put in the plants, etc. Here are a few of the pics. … (11 comments)

architecture: St Herman Monastery in Platina California - 12/11/07 06:54 PM
This Monastery in Platina California happens to be in our Diocese. Platina is about 40 miles west of Redding [click here for map]and nestled in a little valley. Wikipedia has the population at around 200 which sounds high to me. Its a rather idyllic place.
I went up to visit the Monastery with a friend during the winter few years ago and down in the valley it where the post office is was wet from rain, but as we went up the hill we encountered snow. This picture pales in comparison to what I saw with my eyes. The sun shining … (9 comments)