Jackie and Angel Cause Big Trouble: Part II

I inadvertently deleted this entry while cleaning up some comment spam. I was able to retrieve it, but had to post it as a new entry, Now it appears under the categories, "The Adventures of Angel and Jackie", and "Athenamama: The Lost Entries".

We now resume with our regular blog....

When my wife and I returned home Saturday afternoon after a morning of shopping, we found a notice on our door from the Ventura County Animal Regulations Department.

The perps.

At first I thought it was our disgruntled neighbor finding new and inventive ways to express their displeasure of our dog's barking. (Angel.) But a phone call this morning to the animal control people put those fears to rest. Apparently the department is out drumming up funding enforcing the licensing laws around this town, and they targeted our house because the last owner had a dog, and they were following up on that dog's license status. Since they found an unlicensed dog on the premises, I got a citation notice to license my dog(s).

Around here, the real role of a license is to ensure current rabies shots. You cannot renew your license unless you can show proof of current rabies shots. It's a yearly affair, and I would get the feeling the level of conformance is pretty low for dogs, and probably almost nonexistent for cats.

In any case, it is the law, so I ordered up Jackie and Angel's proof of spay and neuter respectively from the wonderful place that performed that service. Now I have to contact our vet and get copies of their shot histories. (I am really lousy at keeping my own records straight.)

I am mostly relieved, however, that it wasn't a call from our neighbors that brought out animal control. That would be the last thing I need.

Is There an Earthquake in Your Future? The Lost Entry

One of the entries lost when my host moved Athenamama over to the new server dealt with the U.S. Geological Survey website’s Real-time Forecast of Earthquake Hazard. Since we have been having a couple tremors here and there, I thought it might be appropriate to resurrect this lost entry.

Having lived in California all of my life, I am used to earthquakes. The one thing you can count on about an earthquake is that you never know when one is going to hit.

Or can you?

The Real-time Forecast of Earthquake Hazard in the Next 24 Hours site at the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program Website estimates the probability of an earthquake from the known faults and the earthquake history in a specific region.

Scientists say that it’s not designed to predict when the big quake will happen but instead where and how big the aftershocks will be.

I just like the pretty colors of the map.

Another Reason Why I Love My Wife: The Lost Entry

One of the entries lost when my host moved Athenamama over to the new server was the one in which I described the new limited edition Disneyland die-cast Mark I Monorail model. The model came in the mail the other day, and I will take a couple of pictures of it and post them soon. Until then, here is the original post.

I have said it before, my wife is the greatest. Even though times are a little rough right now, she lets me buy this:

"Collaborating with the original designer Disney Legend Bob Gurr, Disney artists along with Master Replicas® lovingly recreated this die-cast metal O scale model with all the authentic details from the foot pedals down to the precise placement of each rivet. Other impeccable details include working headlights, taillights and a top beacon light. Requires 2 button-cell batteries, included. Monorail 22'' L. Base 21 5/8'' L x 4 1/4'' W. Die-cast metal, injection-molded thermo-plastic and wood base. Imported. Certificate of authenticity. Limited edition of 500."
Sweeeeeet.