I'm still standing

I think it is so interesting that builders can leave up two walls and completely reconstruct a home, but because it technically has part of the original structure left, it will be considered a remodel versus a new build.

According to Zillow, this home was originally built in 1927 and was a total of 824 square feet—the last official remodel was in 1930. It is probably time for a facelift!

"May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends."
~ Unknown

Anticipation is keepin' me waitin'

Cinnamon rolls. The sight and smell of them from the Cinnabon kiosk in the center of Stonewood Center made my mouth water and next thing I knew, I was ordering several for my breakfasts the following week.

Cinnabon was started in 1985 by a father and son on a quest for the perfect cinnamon roll. With a combination of Makara cinnamon, fresh-baked dough, and Ooey-Gooey™ cream cheese frosting, they found the combination that made the rolls a success.

I enjoyed every bite!

"Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory."
~ Gustave Glaubert

Road rage results

This makeshift memorial is for a driver that was involved in an episode of road rage. According to a neighbor, the car came down Alameda Street, it crashed into a parked car, flipped over, and came to rest after striking this block and iron fence. He didn't know if the driver was the victim or perpetrator.

I remember a cartoon we watched in driver's training in high school starring Walt Disney's Goofy. As a pedestrian, Goofy was mild-mannered and congenial. But once he got behind the wheel of a car, he became incensed with power. He alone had the right of way and every other driver and pedestrian needed to get out of his way or suffer the consequences.

Do you see this out on the road?

A meal as big as he is

I heard some chattering in my backyard recently and when I looked out the back door I saw this squirrel chewing on an avocado almost as big as he was. He ate for a few more minutes and then dropped it on the ground. He didn't bother to throw his leftovers in the trash.

I googled "squirrels in downey" and found this interesting article about a transplanted squirrel species, the Eastern fox squirrel, that is affecting the native Western gray squirrel population. I think I'm harboring a member of the invasion army.

“Sitting under a tree in a park in the summer, listening to birds and squirrels chirping while reading a good book is priceless.”
~ Charmaine J. Forde

Don't make me boycott CVS

Question:  Have you shopped at CVS? What is up with the receipts?

This past weekend I went to CVS. I bought one item. I needed a battery for my car key fob. The receipt I received was more than half the length of my body.

I am not alone. In doing a little research, I found a Jimmy Kimmel  Live commentary on the length of the receipts at CVS.

My question now is:  Have any of you ever used one of the coupons you received on the CVS receipt?

National Night Out

Back in August, Downey celebrated National Night Out with a variety of activities at the Civic Center. This was the first National Night Out for the Downey Police Department’s mounted unit, which is overseen by Captain Mark McDaniel and Detective Paul Hernandez. Mark and Paul, along with their equine partners “Captain” and “Coqueta,” posed patiently for me.

In actual practice, Captain and Coqueta don't actually do much policing. They get to come out for events like this, where they are admired and patted by both adults and kids.

In another area, the Downey Police Explorers fingerprinted kids for a National Child ID kit. Nearby, a Downey motorcycle officer showed a young girl how to use a radar gun to determine if a driver is speeding. Lots of other activities and freebies made this a fun night for Downey families.

Kids' Workshop

It is September and we are back!

I love that Home Depot has Kids' Workshops every month. This month I happened upon the projects in action.

It's break time, see you in September!

We're taking our annual break this month  See you again in September!