Testing The Waters

Have you ever imagined what you would do if you came face to face with a gunman? Well, I have and the scenario in my mind usually ended with me ducking for cover. The real-life version however was completely different. What should have been an uneventful stroll down the street turned into a chaotic, sad, and yet life affirming event. Last Friday was to be the beginning of a celebration-filled weekend for me and I couldn't wait to get the party started. Friday night was going to be a fun, small, surprise party that I had arranged for my sister-friend and Saturday my husband and I were going to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  The clock on my dashboard read 3:05, I wasn't finished shopping for these two very special people and at this moment time was not on my side. INTUITION. THANK GOD I LISTENED. I live in Studio City and absolutely love shopping at the stores in my neighborhood but not the traffic. I have a tried and true way of navigating around it, by parking...

Have you ever looked at your neighborhood and wondered how it may have looked twenty, thirty, or fifty years ago?  Well, I do... ALL THE TIME. In fact I take it to another level -  I fantasize about time travel. (Midnight in Paris... anyone???) Van Nuys Blvd. 1912  Looking up historic photos is not only a hobby of mine its a full on obsession. I enjoy looking at them and imagining how it must have been to actually live in that time. My time travel musings are amplified by my current neighborhood. You see, I live near the L. A. River which is an exponent of classic Film Noir movies... Photo of Drag Race at the L.A. River - 1950's Currently I live in Studio City but it was originally Toluca Lake (and depending on the GPS its still listed as such). This photo shows the area in 1936.  Toluca Lake - 1936 These street lamps were installed in the 30's and 40's and they still line the streets today. Most of the houses (their exteriors at lea...