Yard Arteology: The study of neighbors through their yard decoration. Since water is the source of all life, humans have long hoped that wishes made at wells would be granted. The tossing of coins at the conclusion of each wish evolved with the idea that everything has its price.

The wishing well shown in the photo above shows what happens as the economy tanks and money gets tight. When people start to hang onto their coins and instead toss their trash, wishing well contamination spreads hopelessness across the yard. Below, see more effects on the environment...

The wooden wishing well pictured above is a mere block away from the waste-filled well in figure 76a. That a birdhouse sits so precariously on top of this listing folly hints at the spreading of fowled fortunes across the neighborhood, and may even foretell a crash in daydream market futures. Across Denver, dilapidated wishing wells designate which neighbors are giving up hope... The placement of the wishing well at the end of the driveway, as seen in the photo above, strongly suggests that the residents of this home have nearly abandoned their will to wish. Here, in a Denver neighborhood without alley trash service, the curb-side wishing well sits but two-feet away from a trip to the dump. This unfortunate placement puts undue stress on the wisher, and even more anxiety on the well. Thankfully, wells for wishing continue to spring forth... Figure 76d. Valverde: Wishing well with solid foundation.

The gigantic rock pedestals holding up the numerous tiny sculptures in the photo above suggest that this is the home of a yard artist who believes in the importance of building solid foundations. Similarly, the no-worse-for-the-wear wishing well at the center of the yard has been gayly painted and placed on a stone stump, to attract the hopeful and put the necessary wishing within easier reach.