Color commentary

We Altadenans like to assert our non-conformity and free will. Sometimes that expression takes the form of bright orange houses.

Or a bright red house like Heinz ketchup.

And bright yellow like French's mustard.

Or wild Alaskan salmon pink.

Lemon yellow for those of us more conservative.

And girly rose pink for the grannies.

And fruit cocktail colors.

And baby blue.

Killer bumps

This is either a cry for help, or a rig for autoerotic asphyxiation. I should be worried about the neighbor kid, shouldn't I?



Killer speed bumps. Somebody really wants us to slow down.



I want to get this sign printed on post-it notes to stick on people's houses. Or T-shirts. These would make good T-shirts.



The lonely lost shopping cart cries out for help. This would make a great children's book.



Dandelion greens and wild fennel are high profit items at the store. Sadly, Saint Elizabeth's classroom garden is currently a barren desert, devoid of even delicious weeds.



These neighbors spend a lot of time and money on hedge clipping.



My favorite Art Nouveau house in Altadena. We artsy types tend to bunch up around hereabouts.



And we even have some pseudo Frank Llyod Wright houses sprinkled in here and there for variety.



Two houses over from me, the Vanderbuilts constructed this house for their doctor. This is a totally new way for doctors to make house calls.



The best part of this house, is the tree that looks like Cousin It.



Because of my overactive imaginations, I've always imagined that the folks across the street were International Super Spies. They're always carrying violin and cello cases in and out of the house- cello cases that were probably full of James Bond type weapons and gadgets. Alas, my imagination bubble popped when my friend Michael stopped by one night because he was across the street to see someone about buying a bassoon.

Wee-commerce

On today's walking tour of Davy's sleepy neighborhood, we explore some of the businesses of Altadena. But first, a visit to my favorite tree with the spikey bark.



I live in a town without Starbucks. I know! How is it possible to have avoided Starbucks colonization? But we have the Coffee Gallery next door to Tangles & Locks hair salon. There's some neighborhood pride in having our own little Mom and Pop coffee shop. But awful awful coffee at this place.

And a block away. The Hair Pyrates! They specialize in long hair, weaves, and hair extensions.

Now an architectural firm's office, this was once part of the Mt. Lowe train sub station. Many overly dressed tourists in the early 1900's have embarked on the steam train to the top of the hills.

Circa 1960's supermarket. Ralph's hasn't been updated much since then, so it's not so super these days. Especially compared to the new 2 story Whole Foods flagship store just 3 miles away. But it's nice to be able to walk to the store to buy a quart of milk.

The Everest burger is pretty decent. And you can get Mexican food too.

Locating the Quizno's Sub next to the Curves is a stroke of genius.

And the cutest little tiny restaurant. They have only like 5 tables. I've never been patient enough to wait for a table.

And the local pharmacy/card shop/post office/stationary/gifts and ornaments/liquor store. And they have old-timey gumball machines too.

This is what passes for our main street. There's always parking.

The old chamber of commerce building has awesome ironwork and bronze glazed tiles. There's little commerce left in Altadena, so it's an office building now.

Harvested Washington Navel oranges from the front yard today. Deelicious!

Pesto pasta is faster than going to the drive thru window at McDonalds.

Spring green

Emerging asparagus spears means spring has sprung. I wish bacon would grow out of the ground this easily.

Preston's dog igloo has gone to Goodwill. Sigh. So sad. Granted, Preston hasn't actually stepped foot into his dog house in over 12 years. But I'm sentimental today. Those were such crazy puppy days.

Tea-bagging the Dolly Parton mug. And the new bottle scrubber that is disturbingly phallic. The juxtaposition of the two means this is art.

It's almost time to make Ed's limoncello. Yay Ed.

Spring means warmer temperatures and longer days. Perfect for exploring the neighborhood. This is my favorite driveway.

Our Preston walkies today brings us past the Camelot House with it's super labor intensive roof shingles.



And the house with the lookout tower. Every boy wants a Jeep in the driveway. Mine would be red.

In the early 1910's my little Altadena neighborhood was the trendy place for East Coast businessmen to build their winter homes. Hence many of our streets are named after East Coast cities. New York Ave. Boston St. The styles of these houses lend themselves well for filming "New England" scenes. Hence, the constant stream of filming trucks disrupting our quiet traffic.

"Taco Bell Tuscan" is the new blight on neighborhood architecture. And we do not like these neighbors because their Lamborghini is hecka loud when zipping around at midnight. But mostly, I'm jealous because I want to play with the bright yellow car too.

With the advent of Spring, and the flock of sheep on Preston's walkie itinerary, I find myself craving lamb chops. Rosemary sage mustard crusted. On a bed of farro grains.

Shut out

The best part of being unaffiliated is that I get the bisexual ballot that lets me vote in whichever party strikes my fancy at the moment. Well, nearly any party for this primary. The Republican party wasn't so accommodating with the flippity floppity ballots this time. Maybe next time.



Not really as shocking and insulting as it first appears. This gesture really loses it's impact and meaning when there are six fingers in a hand.



Costco sells kimchee! Kim-cheap!



The zoom on the camera died. Me ole trusty camera is no longer so trusty. There's some very strange financial convergence where I'm going to need to replace my camera, laptop, phone, and tires all around the same time. I think I'm going to need a lot more gold rapping kitties.



When evil squirrels start preying upon the fruit, that's when I know they're ripe. But I have to act fast before the satanic squirrels devour all the fruit.

Pink monkeys

I was so taken by the Murikami exhibit last week, that I'm kidnapping a few more people to go with me today. Need to study the pieces some more. Using public transportation in the Los Angeles area. Yikes! What is this world coming to.



The poultry district in Chinatown. Live chickens upon request. I want the giant chicken that's on the roof.



Sister cities definitely make street navigation a lot more complicated in this part of town. Since my entourage consists of three lovely ladies today, the homeless man called me Bosley. I can work with that.



Must feed the pinkberry monkey on my back.



This trip introduces a golden rapping kitty to the altar. Rapping kitties are like Asian lottery tickets. Oh. And I made a wish.