What's happening in condoville these days, anyway? Glad you asked

So right now people reading this are asking themselves: "what's happening in condoville, anyway, these days?" More than likely, people are or at least could be, wondering about our - well - different condo gardener.

For those not up to date on the continuing saga, our condo board hired someone to remodel our small placette or over-look, that over looks the pool. Although it was still visually attractive with beautiful flowers planted between wooden railway ties along with wooden stairs, the old placette was falling apart. There was a lot of speculation as to whether or not it required a complete demolition job down to the earth, but in the end the condo board hired a female contractor/architecht/whatever to update the look. The new and improved model is composed of stone and cement with a plexiglass railing erected around the circumference. Very modern looking.

We assumed, obviously incorrectly, that this would be the extent of the architect's/whatever duties but for whatever reason, a decision was made to hire her as the gardener. It would be interesting to know at this point and especially after she planted eight rose bushes, seven of which subsequently died, what her credentials are to handle this task. She did, however, ensure that a drip water system was installed at who knows how much, to gently water the now dead roses. It does make one wonder when a gardener shows up to work the earth wearing high heels and a shovel. Period. I lie - she did produce shears two weeks ago. Since she likes perennials so she planted them here, there and everywhere. No layout plan to speak of and the end result is a mish-mash or...stuff. Species include yellow marigolds, red impatiens, pink/white petunias, large leaved hosta plants, astilbe - you name it - chances are we have it growing - somewhere. Utterly, again IMHO, blechy and a mess.

Enough ranting.

Two weeks ago the annual Summer Party in the Park was held in the park accross the street. The menu as is the case for the summer fete, was party sandwiches (I adore party sandwiches!), pizza(!) donated by a major pizza chain, veggies and dip, chips, wine and coffee and mini danish. As usual, there was the usual DJ who played everything from rock music for dancing, waltz, lots of latin numbers that the crowd seemed to really get into and as the evening wore on, the music of Barry Manilow slowed things down. No hip-hop, though. We always make our getaway upon the mosquitos arrival. They're always the unwanted interlopers on any evening event especially when we're the food!

The pool - well - the paint is chipping/flaking off the surface of the pool but the good news is at least it's not slippery any more. How can a pool company use the wrong paint for an outdoor pool? Obviously, they managed. I dunno... Oh and there are now new pool chairs. Opinion is mixed on whether the old one's were better and more comfortable. Doesn't make any difference in the end since the old chairs are no more, anyway. Visually, they match the pool water.

Still haven't spotted the little wood turtles that were seen sunning themselves on a rock last summer during a walk on the path but there's still time to find them. Meanwhile, it's going to be a busy at the pool this weekend with hot temps and lots of sun, drawing youngsters and teens in to cool off. There are condo-villers who complain that they splash too much. I mean - c'mon - it's a pool! Right? Never a dull moment - to be continued...

Flowery conclusion: more flowers - and gardening expertise - is required

Took a stroll around the newly adorned flower bed that separates our two condo buildings. As mentioned in the previous commentary, the gardening designer is now in charge of planting flowers.

Big mistake.

Initially, this move seemed harmless enough. I mean, how can one screw up planting flowers, especially if one is supposed to be an expert in this area. Right? Today's little walk-around reveals that she didn't appear to put much thought into her choice of blooms and many of blooms that were planted are half, if not conpletely, dead. As in gone to meet the composter. There are wilted petunias - color unknown, impatiens that appear to be a pink shade - difficult to tell since they're shrivelled, orange marigolds (baaaad color mix!) and other species. The problem down the line when they start spreading out (if they ever get that far) is that they were planted too far apart, most likely as a money-saving move. Hey - our condo fees are supposed to cover this area.

Forgot to mention that while planting the flowers, she also brought along a large plastic, black container that is used by garden centres to hold new trees before transplanting. Inside, as it was revealed, she had divided up some what must have been perennials, for transplanting with the annuals. I mean - c'mon - talk about saving money! It is most surprising since in past years our flower displays have always been sumptuous and a treat for the eyes. This year the best that can be said about them is mediocre.

The grecian urns in front of the condo buildings now contain a puny mix of - wait for it - petunias. That's it! Six or eight petunias in a large urn. They look lost, poor things.

Basically, very disappointed and not at all impressed with the gardening accumen of this so-called expert, if indeed she is an expert. Will make a point of finding out her professional pedigree and background.

In conclusion - at least for now - but rest assured more comments will be forthcoming - it's a mix-and-not-match display. Blech!

UPDATE!! The garden designer...whatever/whoever, has just arrived and is currently looking over the plants in the overlook/placette. Correction: she has a pen and paper and is counting the plants. Counting...plants? What and why is she performing this task? I can tell her without having to count them that more are required. She has now moved over to the flower beds between the two condo bldgs. and is continuing to count or assessing the almost dead and/or dying plants.

A member of the condo board has arrived on the scene and it appears at least from my vantage point, that he is posing questions about...everything, especially the empty areas. We'll see what, if anything, more she adds to the beds.

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?

Where there if life - and artists - there is hope

There could be good news regarding the condo art exhibit that was cancelled a mere couple of weeks ago. Received a phone call from the organizer who informed me that the show could be on again, if the artists are willing or interested in the idea. The only fly in the ointment so to speak is that if I understood him correctly, the day selected is Wednesday. If so, logically, this is not a good idea since people don't attend art related events in the middle of the week. We'll be looking at each other's paintings: "oh -I love your latest creations!" I mean - that's nice and all but having outsiders look them over is exciting. Anyway, the organizer is supposed to get back to me at which time I'll ascertain whether it will be a mid-week event. If so - I'll have to think it over but hopefully in the end it will be re-scheduled for a weekend. All of this means I'm back in a full painting mode.

Unrelated, the gardeners made their weekly visit. Looks like we're going to have a beautiful display this summer. It has to be an improvement on last year's offering that featured flowers, which looked half-dead and weird, never-seen-before (at least I've never seen them) species that never did belong or fit in. Went over to chat with one of the gardeners to express my delight and admiration for the work. In spite of giving compliments in both English and French language, somehow we weren't communicating for some reason or the other. I mean, he should have picked up on what I was saying just by my speaking tone, the smile on my face and my pointing to the ground. Oh well - it's the end result that counts.

The pool is still filled with dirty water. It's supposed to open the second week in June so there's still time one presumes, to fix and paint it. The condo board directors don't seem concerned.

And so it goes...

Filling in the spaces

Wow! Maybe this is something our local municipal government should consider implementing given the number of potholes we have.

A frustrated gardener and cyclist, Steve Wheen, has found a creative means in which to deal with potholes in an eye-appealing way. He drives around London, England on his bike and when he spots potholes, which aren't difficult to miss, he fills them in not with tar or cement but cyclamen, narcissus and polyanthus blooms among others. He chooses roads that are quiet with less traffic, which would be perfect for condoville.

Anyway, here is his site for anyone who wants to find out more information:
www.thepotholegardener.com

Speaking of Spring road clean-up, a year ago our municipality embarked on a project to replace one of the bridges that leads to our area. The job took longer than anticipated since there was some type of misunderstanding between the groups participating in the work and now work is about to begin on the other bridge. Actually, as a walker, I can attest to the necessity of a replacement since the surface of the sidewalks are badly cracked and I've tripped on jutting cement on numerous occasions.

A special meeting has been called for next week, topic unknown. Speculation and rumor has it that special building work is planned on the building and we're gonna be assessed to pay for the improvements. If so, we'll see what they plan to do.