When I was a little girl I lived in Seattle for a time. I remember the excitement of going downtown and looking at the huge buildings - so tall the sunlight couldn't find its way down to the street level. When a sunbeam did manage to survive to illuminate the ground below, the best part was the glittery sidewalks, which sparkled brilliantly where ever kissed by the light.

When in San Francisco a week ago, we were walking through the financial district, where the tall buildings obscured the sun in most spots. I saw these lovely agate/amethyst-like stone insets in the sidewalk, and coveted them.