Yesterday and today being gorgeously, brilliant sunny days, things have suddenly become a hive of activity in preparation for the summer season of fun-in-the-sun, condo style.
Over the past week, the gardening-designer who shows up in non-gardening/fashionable outfits, has been making daily visits in her small-ish car filled to capacity with flowers, intent on filling in the empty spaces. Why she doesn't wear plain, old jeans/overalls and boots is a mystery. Watching her from my vantage point in front of the window behind the vertical blinds, her choice of flower species and color mixtures is somewhat questionable. As a former gardening aficienado and a home owner, my philosophy was to stick to two or three main colors and flower types, however here in condoville, there is now a mixture of yellows, pinks, reds, consisting of pansies, petunias and some other types unrecognizable as yet. Although there is a longing to hang around while standing close by and discussing her flower choices, somehow she doesn't strike me as a person who welcomes discussion. Meanwhile, yesterday, she was busy adding still more flowers to her pride-and-joy project, the overlook/placette, which is now over-flowing with color. She has even convinced the condo boards to install separate watering devices, a drip system for the rose bushes and a sprinkle system for the rest. One ponders the rationale behind this expense since roses seem to die with or without extra "TLC" in my experience. Checking over the placette flower bed today, noticed there are already two rose bushes that have gone to meet their maker, drip or no drip. But I digress.
Seems we now have new pool chairs this summer already placed around the pool. They are a striking shade of blue, matching the color of the pool when filled with water. Very modern-looking but already there is dissention among some residents since the chairs don't have arm rests. Speaking of the pool and unbelievable as this is even to write, the big pool is filled with water! The baby pool is still empty but then it doesn't require new chairs so there's no rush to add water. Usually, the pool remains empty until mid-June but this year they decided to start early, probably in response to the plethora of complaints made about the slippery pool surface. The pool company, for their part, claim the surface will dull over time and become less slideable. This is an acceptable rationalization?
Also great news in as far as the annual condo art show is concerned with the show set for June 11th. I'm already mentally selecting the art pieces for display and hopefully, for sale. As usual, most will focus on landscapes and flowers...and flowers...and...
The yearly condo meeting is scheduled for the end of this month and it will be interesting to see and hear the complaints. There are always complaints. Then there is the summer party in the park in June... Lots of happenings to report.
Condoville Art Display
A taste of my artistry
Showing posts with label condo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label condo. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Getting down and dirty in condoville
At long last, somebody finally - accent on the finally - removed the dried out Christmas tree put up last December with lights clinging pathetically to its limp, brown branches.. Or holiday tree depending on your personal beliefs. It's about time! There is nothing sadder than a fir tree that has lost its color and dead. Why 'they' waited so long is anybody's guess but given that the area in which it stood is surrounded by trees, the ground probably remained frozen and unyielding to removal. In retrospect, it was a pathetic display, anyway, compared to past years. Pure speculation here but the condo boards were probably looking at the financial bottom line to save money on electricity. Guaranteed this will be brought up at the condo meeting next month. Should be interesting.
Now that the ground is workable, the gardening designer who oversaw the renovation of the overlook/placette has been put in charge of flower planting. Given the price of the renovation, perhaps this is not such a good idea. She showed up in what can be described as designer gardening duds and emptied her car filled with flowering bushes, to be planted in the green stretch of land dividing our two condo buildings. The assistant, who arrived a half-hour later wearing very un-gardening clothes including white/beige colored shoes, was assigned to digging holes for the new shrubs. Bet he never expected to be digging holes dressed like that! He did not appear to be enjoying his task using a straight-edged shovel, the only tool they had obviously brought along, when a spade would have made the job so much easier. One has to question the lack of tools given their gardening task. To her credit, the gardening designer did put on a pair of orange(!) plastic gloves that stretched up to her elbow. Clashed with the rest of her outfit if you ask me. As for the assistant, he disappeared somewhere for a while.
The Day After the Planting
Unbelievable to see but it's snowing and raining outside, today as it has on-and-off for the last couple of days, with the temperature barely above freezing. Hopefully, all the small flowering bushes will survive. April is such a fickle month and perhaps it would have been wiser to wait until the end of the month or the first week in May. But Ms Garden Designer knows better. We'll see.
Another subject that will most likely be brought up at the annual condo meeting is the renovation of the overlook/placette. This is the small landscaped area with seating area, which overlooks the pool. Renovated last year at a steep price, opinion is divided as to its esthetic value, overall. It has gone from a wood-based structure to that consisting of cement and plexi-glass railing. As I mentioned, opinion is divided especially where dollar values is concerned.
The barbeque on the balcony will have to wait for a while although the weather is supposed to turn warm next week. Promises, promises...
Now that the ground is workable, the gardening designer who oversaw the renovation of the overlook/placette has been put in charge of flower planting. Given the price of the renovation, perhaps this is not such a good idea. She showed up in what can be described as designer gardening duds and emptied her car filled with flowering bushes, to be planted in the green stretch of land dividing our two condo buildings. The assistant, who arrived a half-hour later wearing very un-gardening clothes including white/beige colored shoes, was assigned to digging holes for the new shrubs. Bet he never expected to be digging holes dressed like that! He did not appear to be enjoying his task using a straight-edged shovel, the only tool they had obviously brought along, when a spade would have made the job so much easier. One has to question the lack of tools given their gardening task. To her credit, the gardening designer did put on a pair of orange(!) plastic gloves that stretched up to her elbow. Clashed with the rest of her outfit if you ask me. As for the assistant, he disappeared somewhere for a while.
The Day After the Planting
Unbelievable to see but it's snowing and raining outside, today as it has on-and-off for the last couple of days, with the temperature barely above freezing. Hopefully, all the small flowering bushes will survive. April is such a fickle month and perhaps it would have been wiser to wait until the end of the month or the first week in May. But Ms Garden Designer knows better. We'll see.
Another subject that will most likely be brought up at the annual condo meeting is the renovation of the overlook/placette. This is the small landscaped area with seating area, which overlooks the pool. Renovated last year at a steep price, opinion is divided as to its esthetic value, overall. It has gone from a wood-based structure to that consisting of cement and plexi-glass railing. As I mentioned, opinion is divided especially where dollar values is concerned.
The barbeque on the balcony will have to wait for a while although the weather is supposed to turn warm next week. Promises, promises...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Spring in condo-ville
At the point when the days get longer and there is a warming trend in the weather, the condovillers leave their winter coccoons. In the months of January through March and once the snow birds begin their sojourn down south, the streets are more or less devoid of people. There are the winter stalwarts who brave frigid temperatures and all weather conditions but most of us - well - hibernate.
The small mini pooches clad in smart winter attire by their owners including leather boots(!) turn into dogs again in Spring, wearing nothing on their backs except their fur. There are still some remnants of winter with a few Christmas decorations adorning balconies.
Potholes are abounding in the city but actually they're scarce in this area of condo-ville. If this gets out to the rest of the community they could complain it's favoritism. I'm not saying anything.
The pool is the jewel in the crown so to speak and the opening at the end of June is anxiously anticipated. Last summer the new pool maintenance company for whatever reason, used the wrong type of paint resulting in a slippery surface. It should have and easily could have been re-painted in autumn but it wasn't. This means having to wait for said pool maintenance company to rectify the slippery situation. Said company were slow to prepare the pool altogether last year resulting in a delay in the pool opening. Said company should be replaced with someone who knows what they're doing, at least IMHO. We'll know shortly if there are any changes and whether things will be fixed.
Last summer the flower display was...there - that's the best that can be said or written about it. Seems that every year there is less emphasis on this area one presumes as a result of savings by the condo association. This year perhaps I'll express my feelings at the annual condo meeting in the hope that it will return to its former visual glory. I won't hold my breath, though.
Meanwhile, the duck population has awakened from its sleep or wheatever ducks do during the winter. The Canada geese, however, have not returned. Some people would say this is good but not me. They are a harbinger of the season to come. After all - what's Canada without their geese?
The small mini pooches clad in smart winter attire by their owners including leather boots(!) turn into dogs again in Spring, wearing nothing on their backs except their fur. There are still some remnants of winter with a few Christmas decorations adorning balconies.
Potholes are abounding in the city but actually they're scarce in this area of condo-ville. If this gets out to the rest of the community they could complain it's favoritism. I'm not saying anything.
The pool is the jewel in the crown so to speak and the opening at the end of June is anxiously anticipated. Last summer the new pool maintenance company for whatever reason, used the wrong type of paint resulting in a slippery surface. It should have and easily could have been re-painted in autumn but it wasn't. This means having to wait for said pool maintenance company to rectify the slippery situation. Said company were slow to prepare the pool altogether last year resulting in a delay in the pool opening. Said company should be replaced with someone who knows what they're doing, at least IMHO. We'll know shortly if there are any changes and whether things will be fixed.
Last summer the flower display was...there - that's the best that can be said or written about it. Seems that every year there is less emphasis on this area one presumes as a result of savings by the condo association. This year perhaps I'll express my feelings at the annual condo meeting in the hope that it will return to its former visual glory. I won't hold my breath, though.
Meanwhile, the duck population has awakened from its sleep or wheatever ducks do during the winter. The Canada geese, however, have not returned. Some people would say this is good but not me. They are a harbinger of the season to come. After all - what's Canada without their geese?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fall back
A quiet has fallen over condoville. They closed our pool this weekend and stopped the pump filter that cleans the water. Also blocked the steps leading to the pool. This means that the pool contents are now a mixture of pool water and whatever other liquid falls in. Still, someone or some people decided to use it anyway. Yuck! Ducks have been known to fly in for a quick swim on occasion. Surprising that the water hasn't been drained, yet, but given how long it took for the company that services the pool to paint it in Spring, not surprising.
The condoville association decided to buy two miniature fir trees in containers as winter decoration to replace the Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily. The peace lilies are okay as indoor house plants but they're very blah as outdoor decoration. Nobody seems to know where the summer plants will be stored. Maybe upstairs in the party room...or exercise room... As for the spruce trees, they could be used for Christmas decorations one assumes... Anything to save a buck.
Started a new canvas last week. I use the kitchen table as a painting surface and cover the it with a plastic picnic tablecloth I bought on sale for a dollar. Cover the granite counters with large plastic garbage bags and put my painting equipment on top. Spacially tight but an artist has to do what an artist has to do and where there's a will, there's a way. Now storage is another whole thing and at some point I'm going to run out of space. What I need is a studio... Every spark of an idea has to begin with a dream, right?
The condoville association decided to buy two miniature fir trees in containers as winter decoration to replace the Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily. The peace lilies are okay as indoor house plants but they're very blah as outdoor decoration. Nobody seems to know where the summer plants will be stored. Maybe upstairs in the party room...or exercise room... As for the spruce trees, they could be used for Christmas decorations one assumes... Anything to save a buck.
Started a new canvas last week. I use the kitchen table as a painting surface and cover the it with a plastic picnic tablecloth I bought on sale for a dollar. Cover the granite counters with large plastic garbage bags and put my painting equipment on top. Spacially tight but an artist has to do what an artist has to do and where there's a will, there's a way. Now storage is another whole thing and at some point I'm going to run out of space. What I need is a studio... Every spark of an idea has to begin with a dream, right?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Walking tour of condoville
Yet another crisis in condoville this week. As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say: it's always something. It's a crisis when related to the pool and once again the heater was down. There were a few cool evenings causing the water temperature to drop substantially. Predictably, this did not go over well with the morning regulars.
"The water was so cold this morning," one of the lap swimmers complained. "It's ridiculous having to swim in an unheated pool," she railed on, placing the blame on the condo association trying to save money. I suppose it's a possibility but not likely. I'm sure the condo pool committee don't appreciate phone calls at all hours and having to listen to pool regulars rant and rave about water temps. Officially, the pool heater was broken but Ms morning swimmer wasn't convinced and believes a plot is afoot. Whatever... Okay - so the water temperature was 74F instead of the usual 83F but there are worse things in life! Things are now back to normal and the water is a comfortable 80F although there is grumbling that it should be at least 82F. Still more complaints about swimmers splashing while doing their strokes. I mean, the only way to avoid getting splashed is to stay out of the pool. Gimme a break!
A familiar voice stopped me in my tracks while passing the pool on my way for a walk. It was the familiar and melodious sound of Ms Aqua Fitness Cruela Deville shouting out instructions to her willing aqua fitness slaves.
"Take your noodles and place them under your arms!" Cruela barked out in addition to yelling out other commands. After 5 minutes of listening to her and the delighted reaction of the participants who actually appeared to enjoy her screeching, the memory of our short and not-so-sweet work-out sessions compelled me to depart.
The river has receded considerably due to the unseasonably hot summer this season with huge boulders jutting out at the shore line. Living in an area near a river with lots of greenery and trees in addition to a walking path, we are partners with wild life that call the area home. Spotted two small pond turtles sunning themselves on a boulder and a huge groundhog ran accross the path in front of me. Ducks are in abundance and most of them seem able to withstand a frigid cold Canadian winter. ,Most likely they manage to survive with the help of human handouts.
Next week is the autumn party in the park accross the street. Gotta remember to bring along tooth picks this time since corn on the cob is on the menu. Not socially acceptance to pick out the kernels with one's finger. Actually, not much better to pick one's teeth with tooth picks either.
"The water was so cold this morning," one of the lap swimmers complained. "It's ridiculous having to swim in an unheated pool," she railed on, placing the blame on the condo association trying to save money. I suppose it's a possibility but not likely. I'm sure the condo pool committee don't appreciate phone calls at all hours and having to listen to pool regulars rant and rave about water temps. Officially, the pool heater was broken but Ms morning swimmer wasn't convinced and believes a plot is afoot. Whatever... Okay - so the water temperature was 74F instead of the usual 83F but there are worse things in life! Things are now back to normal and the water is a comfortable 80F although there is grumbling that it should be at least 82F. Still more complaints about swimmers splashing while doing their strokes. I mean, the only way to avoid getting splashed is to stay out of the pool. Gimme a break!
A familiar voice stopped me in my tracks while passing the pool on my way for a walk. It was the familiar and melodious sound of Ms Aqua Fitness Cruela Deville shouting out instructions to her willing aqua fitness slaves.
"Take your noodles and place them under your arms!" Cruela barked out in addition to yelling out other commands. After 5 minutes of listening to her and the delighted reaction of the participants who actually appeared to enjoy her screeching, the memory of our short and not-so-sweet work-out sessions compelled me to depart.
The river has receded considerably due to the unseasonably hot summer this season with huge boulders jutting out at the shore line. Living in an area near a river with lots of greenery and trees in addition to a walking path, we are partners with wild life that call the area home. Spotted two small pond turtles sunning themselves on a boulder and a huge groundhog ran accross the path in front of me. Ducks are in abundance and most of them seem able to withstand a frigid cold Canadian winter. ,Most likely they manage to survive with the help of human handouts.
Next week is the autumn party in the park accross the street. Gotta remember to bring along tooth picks this time since corn on the cob is on the menu. Not socially acceptance to pick out the kernels with one's finger. Actually, not much better to pick one's teeth with tooth picks either.
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