Aurora Australis in New Zealand; by Paul Stewart on Flickr.
This amazing technicolor castle has been abandoned for more than 20 years
The Castello di Sammezzano is a show-stopper, a jaw-dropper. Hidden away in the Tuscan hills of Northern Italy, this electrifyingly beautiful Moorish castle was built a whopping 400+ years ago in 1605, but for more than two decades, it’s been sitting empty, neglected, vulnerable to vandalism and to the elements.
There are 365 rooms in the Castello di Sammazzano, one for every day of the year. The Moroccan-style palatial villa is a labyrinthe of exquisitely tiled rooms, each one intricately unique. Originally built by a Spanish noble, Ximenes of Aragon in the 17th century, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the castle would find its arabian identity and be transformed into the etherial palace it resembles today.
You can read about the history here.
I really like how this wrapping paper turned out! It’s recyclable paper with a lovely matte finish, available on Society6: Dragons of the Magic Land - Wrapping Paper There’s a big sale going on Society6 right now, up to 50% off everything so you might like to check out my other stuff too: Art prints & posters Tapestries Stickers & stationery Pouches & bags

The Drunken Monkey
I’m always on the look out for an interesting tale to post, this one certainly falls into that category, as told in the Inverness Courier……
Death of a Monkey who was not an “Abstainer.” – It seems that a gentleman of Fort-Augustus had a favourite monkey whose amusing antics were the delight of all the youngsters of the village; his master amused himself with him at home, and outside they were often to be seen together, Pug perched upon his master’s shoulders, and looking as grave and demure as the Grand Turk himself.
It sometimes happens that the most sedate, and those that appear wisest, fall into evil courses; so was it with poor “Jacko,” who lately acquired a relish for the juice of the barley, and few things gave him greater pleasure than a drop of the real mountain-dew, which, to his credit be it said, he could quaff with great grace.
But Pug, who to his other acquirements added the dexterity of an expert appropriator, got into a cupboard the other day in his master’s absence, and taking the cork out of a jar of whisky, drank to intoxication; and when the servant entered, there was poor Pug lying stretched on the floor, with the empty pipkin beside him. The girl fearing to be blamed for Pug’s misdeeds, and much alarmed, was in the act of carrying the insensible monkey out of the room when the master came in, and seeing his old friend in such a plight, at once sent for the doctor.
The man of physic came, but poor Pug was gone, and neither stomach pump nor emetics could now be of any avail. Poor Jacko’s remains were duly consigned to the earth; and many of the little folks of the village sadly regret the fate of this “victim of intemperance.” – Inverness Courier.
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Arthouse Muppets
Miss Piggy And Kermit in Roger Vadim’s Barbarella
Art by Bruce McCorkindale
When you want to know what the book is about but it has author quotes on the back instead of a blurb:
Happy birthday, Bruce Lee!
From top to bottom:
1.- Celebrating his 32nd birthday with director Robert Clouse and producers Paul Heller and Raymond Chow on the set of “ENTER THE DRAGON”
2.- Being a complete badass doing some thumb push ups while filming “GAME OF DEATH”
3.- Training Dean Martin for his role on “THE WRECKING CREW”
4.- With Robert Garner showing off theirs skills on the set of “MARLOWE”
5.- Having fun with some friends at his Hong Kong residence.
Jeaaaa



