Maison de bonheur

Maison de bonheur, Church Street, San Francisco.

How could this "Painted Lady" not be a house of happiness, when adorned in bright colours, accented with lovely floral murals? For a story about more houses, go here.

An excerpt from Paulo Coelho's book Like the Flowing River:

"William Blake said, "What is now proved was once only imagined." And because of this we have the airplane, space flights and the computer on which I am writing this. In Lewis Carroll's masterpiece Alice through the Looking Glass, there is a dialogue between Alice and the White Queen, who has just said something utterly unbelievable.

"I can't believe that!" said Alice. "Can't you?" the Queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again: draw a long breath and shut your eyes." Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said. "One can't believe impossible things." "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes, I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

"Life is constantly telling us: 'Believe!' Believing that a miracle could happen at any moment is necessary for our happiness, but also for our protection and to justify our existence. In today's world, many people think it is impossible to do away with poverty, to bring about a just society and to lessen the religious tension that appears to be growing with each day."

"Most people avoid the struggle for the most diverse of reasons: conformism, age, a sense of the ridiculous, a feeling of impotence. We see our fellow human beings treated unjustly and we say nothing. 'I'm not going to get involved in fights unnecessarily' is the excuse given.

"...A warrior of light knows that certain impossible battles nevertheless deserve to be fought, which is why he is not afraid of disappointments, for he knows the power of his sword and the strength of his love. He vehemently rejects those who are incapable of taking decisions and are always trying to shift responsibility for all the bad things that happen in the world onto someone else.

"If he does not struggle against what is wrong - even if it seems beyond his strength - he will never find the right road.

"Arash Hejazi once sent me the following note: "...we always have the necessary resources to face the storms that life throws at us, but most of the time, those resources are locked up in the depths of our heart and we waste an enormous amount of time trying to find them. By the time we've found them, we have already been defeated by adversity.'

"Let us, therefore, always be prepared; otherwise we either miss an opportunity or lose the battle."

Comments

[Di Overton]

Love those exteriors. Can you imagine the National Parks if I did that to my cottage?

[gypsy alex]

No matter how many times I've walked up Church St I never thought of taking that shot you got. That is why I love photography and why I adore you :)

[Relyn]

These photos make me wonder what type of personality would choose to live in a house like this? So outrageously cheerful and full of hope. So much in-your-face color. So unconventional. I'd love to join the owner for an afternoon tea. Wouldn't that be lovely?

[Jeanie]

THis is indeed a favorite. How I love the Painted Ladies. And there is no place they look lovelier than San Francisco!

[tangobaby]

I love so much living on this side of town...the closer you get to Pac Heights and Nob Hill, all the color is drained out of the homes. They might be bigger and lots more fancy (and still pretty to look at) but there's no color!

I will have to go down Church to find this one. Great photos.

[Ewa]

murals give the walls a second, maybe more attractive, at least more attention attracting life...

[Gillian]

Yes! Believe! I love this. Chi depleters begone!!! I am a believer.
xoxo
Happy Sunday Ms.Parfait!
xoxo

[Sarah]

Paris Parfait, these words and ideas are beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[Christina]

Believe! I kind of like the sound of that, my friend. : )