Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Everywhere a Sign

We like signs, which you would readily see if you ever visited our apartment, as there's quite a varied collection. Signs are everywhere — above doorways, bedroom walls, kitchen walls, in the dining area, living room and in the entryway.

Since we can't invite everyone to our home, although you are always welcome, this post shows most of our sign and wall decor. The two below are in the entry.
These next two signs ↓ are in the kitchen area. To date, the first one hasn't deterred anyone from dining in our apartment. The second one is really so true.
The next signs ↓ are in the dining area above the wine glass holder and wine rack.
The two bathroom doorways and the bedroom doorways also have signs on top.
Our bedroom walls ↓ display a collection of signs, photo art and framed cards.
The bedroom also has these large decals on three walls; the last behind the headboard.
The wall hanging below is a handmade gift sent years ago by fellow blogger, Kathleen, and it's also on display in our bedroom.
Signs ↓ related to age and adulthood are displayed in the living room above bookcases.
This top shelf of a bookcase dedicated to a collection of penguin and snowmen also has a sign above it.
Our living room bookcases contain cookbooks and framed family photos with a few signs. A message composed with Scrabble tiles is displayed in front of Boyds bears figurines.

Our largest sign is a roadmap for life; it summarizes some of the sayings on many other signs. It's the final line on this sign that says it all.
We create messages using Scrabble tiles with magnets glued on the back and have a board with extra letters. Correct spelling is optional, if we get the meaning.
The outside entry to our apartment also has signage, which is rotated seasonally or by holidays. The top sign previously hung in our VA home, where we did have a back door.
Yes, this has been a lot of wall art and signage, but looking at these daily make us happy and these days that's not such a bad thing.

Speaking of signs, does anyone remember the 1970s protest-rock song, Signs?

Performed by the Canadian rock group, Five Man Electrical Band, it was penned by the group's lead, Les Emmerson, who as he was traveling on Route 66 to Los Angeles from Canada, was offended by signs and billboards obscuring his view of the scenery. This reportedly led to his penning the tune which questions who had the right to make arbitrary rules interfering with nature and people. 

Signs was originally a B-side to an 1970 unsuccessful single, Hello Melinda Goodbye. After it was re-released as an A-side in 1971, it reached No. 4 on Canadian pop charts and No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Overall, it ranked as the No. 24 song of 1971 selling over 2 million copies worldwide and garnering a gold record.

Five Man Electrical Band disbanded in 1975 after touring fatigue and member departures. Emmerson, the lead singer and songwriter, revived a local version of the band for live performances. He died in 2021 at age 77 from COVID-19 complications.

For anyone interested in hearing Signs, again, or for the first time, here's a link below. 
Listen at the risk of having an ear worm the rest of the day.


8 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

That is very unique. Never heard of the song or group.

Tom said...

...being happy beats whatever is in second place.

Bijoux said...

You have a lot of word art! I have a blank board with letters in our kitchen that my husband received at a white elephant Christmas exchange. I have fun making up new signs with the seasons. Right now, it says, 'It's A Birthday Bonanza' because all of our grands and my oldest daughter have birthdays in August/September.

I know that song! My husband enjoys listening to it when it comes on Sirius 70's on 7.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

What did preliterate societies do before they had signs to chart the course of their lives?

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Perhaps they drew on cave walls, David.

Kathylorraine said...

awesome sign collection-hugs

Linda G said...

We have signs on our walls too, but only a fraction of what you have!

jabblog said...

Lots of inspiring signs in your home.