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?
Condoville Art Display
A taste of my artistry
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A pool of discontent
This has been a really hot summer, the type of summer that reminds people of their past with fondness.
"Remember when we were (insert year or age) and it was so hot that... (insert personal recollection)?"
It's surprising, then, that more people didn't use the pool to cool off. In the morning the pool was busy with a dozen or so lap swimmers in addition to Ms. Cruela deVile and her aqua fitness ladies twice per week, while the afternoon hours were used sparsely by condo-villers mainly to stand around, gossip and dunk intermittantly. However, problems arose when some of the morning lap swimmers made it known that they required the entire length of the pool to extend their lap swimming into the afternoon. Not surprisingly, this did not go over well with the leisure dunk-and-dippers who expressed the opinion that they had the right to do nothing if they so desired and stand motionless anywhere in the pool they damn well feel like it.
"We need lanes!" one of the lap swimmers pleaded her case. "Why can't people just stand on the side until we finish?"
"Did you do your laps this morning?" I questioned, to which she responded affirmatively. "You can't regulate where people can stand in the pool! Why don't you do laps on the side of the pool?"
A look of horror crossed her face.
"We need room to do strokes!" she went on, "and not run into people standing around!"
"Exactly!" I responded. "Just move to the side and everyone will be happy."
Another issue this summer for some people were splashers, the ordinary folk who splash when they kick while swimming, or diving in the pool or children having fun.
"Why do they have to splash everywehre?" one of the anti-splashers asked to which I answered: "why are you in a pool, then? You can't get wetter-than-wet!"
A condo-viller made a request, would you believe, to have the diving board removed so that she would have more room to do laps. It's true!
"They can dive off the side," she concluded.
The pool will be closed this weekend, which will end the bickering - for this year. Heaven knows what they'll come up with next summer.
"Remember when we were (insert year or age) and it was so hot that... (insert personal recollection)?"
It's surprising, then, that more people didn't use the pool to cool off. In the morning the pool was busy with a dozen or so lap swimmers in addition to Ms. Cruela deVile and her aqua fitness ladies twice per week, while the afternoon hours were used sparsely by condo-villers mainly to stand around, gossip and dunk intermittantly. However, problems arose when some of the morning lap swimmers made it known that they required the entire length of the pool to extend their lap swimming into the afternoon. Not surprisingly, this did not go over well with the leisure dunk-and-dippers who expressed the opinion that they had the right to do nothing if they so desired and stand motionless anywhere in the pool they damn well feel like it.
"We need lanes!" one of the lap swimmers pleaded her case. "Why can't people just stand on the side until we finish?"
"Did you do your laps this morning?" I questioned, to which she responded affirmatively. "You can't regulate where people can stand in the pool! Why don't you do laps on the side of the pool?"
A look of horror crossed her face.
"We need room to do strokes!" she went on, "and not run into people standing around!"
"Exactly!" I responded. "Just move to the side and everyone will be happy."
Another issue this summer for some people were splashers, the ordinary folk who splash when they kick while swimming, or diving in the pool or children having fun.
"Why do they have to splash everywehre?" one of the anti-splashers asked to which I answered: "why are you in a pool, then? You can't get wetter-than-wet!"
A condo-viller made a request, would you believe, to have the diving board removed so that she would have more room to do laps. It's true!
"They can dive off the side," she concluded.
The pool will be closed this weekend, which will end the bickering - for this year. Heaven knows what they'll come up with next summer.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The fall party...yawn...
In the end the fall party-in-the-park was - well - kind of borrrrring. The evening was on the cool-ish side and there were definite hints of autumn in the air. Even though the affair wasn't called to start until 7:00 p.m. people started drifting over at 6:00 p.m. I mean, what is so attractive about hotdogs and corn? Okay. So it's "free" but one would think that they were serving filet mignon or lobsters and not weiners!
So we arrived at 7:05 p.m. because honestly couldn't see any logical reason to arrive earlier. The lineup to get hotdogs was long and the corn was still bubbling away in a huge vat. After all - people didn't want to starve or anything while they wait! Some of our fellow condo-villers and pool pals saved us a table away from the main crowd, since the few picnic tables set up were filled. As usual the one-man - actually two-man this year - band had set up early and were busy playing your usual 'cha-cha's' and popular spanish songs, along with the ever-popular Barry Manilow's, "Copacabana."
The hotdogs were actually cooked this year unlike last summer when they were cold and semi-raw. The big attraction, however, was the hot corn-on-the-cob and people filled their plates with two and three corns along with healthy blobs of butter sliding accross the surface. Let's put it this way: there was a lot of shiny lips. The problem with corn is that although it is delicious, it's almost impossible to extricates from between the teeth. There is also no way to pick one's teeth with one's nail that is socially acceptable so I passed on the corn. It doesn't mean that much to me. Word had it that the corn disappeared quickly as did the mini danish for dessert. The topic of conversation at least at our table were the rumors of romantic liasons between certain condo-villers or at least knowing looks between certain people. Of course, the pool and the ever-changing temps was also the focus of conversation.
Once the mosquitos made their presence known and the food was consumed, people began drifting away. Although there were door prizes, many of the winners had already left, which pleased those that remained since more numbers were pulled. As usual, we didn't win and then left the park to the mosquitos and avid samba enthusiasts. The sounds of disco filled the air until exact 11 p.m. after which the party season was over for another year.
Pool attendance has been sparse these days even though the days have been very comfortable. Perhaps the snowbirds are busy planning their Florida sojourns or maybe people had their fill of the water. There are still complaints of visiting children splashing the regulars to which they are reminded that pool=water=wet. Some people are never happy and in any case, the pool closes on Labor Day. Guaranteed that will be a reason for further complaints.
So we arrived at 7:05 p.m. because honestly couldn't see any logical reason to arrive earlier. The lineup to get hotdogs was long and the corn was still bubbling away in a huge vat. After all - people didn't want to starve or anything while they wait! Some of our fellow condo-villers and pool pals saved us a table away from the main crowd, since the few picnic tables set up were filled. As usual the one-man - actually two-man this year - band had set up early and were busy playing your usual 'cha-cha's' and popular spanish songs, along with the ever-popular Barry Manilow's, "Copacabana."
The hotdogs were actually cooked this year unlike last summer when they were cold and semi-raw. The big attraction, however, was the hot corn-on-the-cob and people filled their plates with two and three corns along with healthy blobs of butter sliding accross the surface. Let's put it this way: there was a lot of shiny lips. The problem with corn is that although it is delicious, it's almost impossible to extricates from between the teeth. There is also no way to pick one's teeth with one's nail that is socially acceptable so I passed on the corn. It doesn't mean that much to me. Word had it that the corn disappeared quickly as did the mini danish for dessert. The topic of conversation at least at our table were the rumors of romantic liasons between certain condo-villers or at least knowing looks between certain people. Of course, the pool and the ever-changing temps was also the focus of conversation.
Once the mosquitos made their presence known and the food was consumed, people began drifting away. Although there were door prizes, many of the winners had already left, which pleased those that remained since more numbers were pulled. As usual, we didn't win and then left the park to the mosquitos and avid samba enthusiasts. The sounds of disco filled the air until exact 11 p.m. after which the party season was over for another year.
Pool attendance has been sparse these days even though the days have been very comfortable. Perhaps the snowbirds are busy planning their Florida sojourns or maybe people had their fill of the water. There are still complaints of visiting children splashing the regulars to which they are reminded that pool=water=wet. Some people are never happy and in any case, the pool closes on Labor Day. Guaranteed that will be a reason for further complaints.
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.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Late summer observations du jour and the autumn party is a go
Nature has its way of telling we humans that summer is winding down. Given the really hot weather we experienced this season, my balcony flowers really gave a show to be remembered. Okay, so we did switch to one of those super soils that promise lush blooms and this could have helped but more likely the end result was due to lots of sun and heat. The shortage of rain meant a dependence on human intervention and all the flower boxes, urns and hanging plants received watering twice per day. Every morning and evening I brought out four 2-litre soft drink bottles filled with water and emptied them into the parched soil. The plants thanked me for my attention by providing a visual treat for the eyes. Truly.
In any case the plants are now at the "leggy" stage with lots of stem and leaves and flowering at the top only. Like a faithful servant, I "dead-head" the plants and remove the dead blooms and although there is some new growth, it's obvious their time here on earth is winding down. So depressing but natural.
Notices have been posted our autumn party-in-the-park will take place in late August. This is the one that is always well attended since hot, boiled corn is on the menu and hot dogs. Usually, the hot dogs aren't really cooked enough but hungry mouths demand to be fed and the people are impatient!
The talk around the pool has turned to wintering in Florida, yet another sign that summer is over. Location of winter condos has replaced the pool temperature discussion and less people are coming down to lounge. There are the usual complaints voiced about how some people splash when they swim. Duh! Water=swimming=splashing.
It's raining today. It will rain tomorrow and the next day too. Good. More river bank is showing and the ducks need water to swim. Did I mention that our ducks stay over for the winter but that's cold weather talk.
In any case the plants are now at the "leggy" stage with lots of stem and leaves and flowering at the top only. Like a faithful servant, I "dead-head" the plants and remove the dead blooms and although there is some new growth, it's obvious their time here on earth is winding down. So depressing but natural.
Notices have been posted our autumn party-in-the-park will take place in late August. This is the one that is always well attended since hot, boiled corn is on the menu and hot dogs. Usually, the hot dogs aren't really cooked enough but hungry mouths demand to be fed and the people are impatient!
The talk around the pool has turned to wintering in Florida, yet another sign that summer is over. Location of winter condos has replaced the pool temperature discussion and less people are coming down to lounge. There are the usual complaints voiced about how some people splash when they swim. Duh! Water=swimming=splashing.
It's raining today. It will rain tomorrow and the next day too. Good. More river bank is showing and the ducks need water to swim. Did I mention that our ducks stay over for the winter but that's cold weather talk.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Of painted balconies, flowers and the pool
Summer is at the mid-way point and there are signs that preparations are afoot for the oncoming autumn. All the condo-villers were advised that the cement ceilings of the balconies are to be painted. Really, visually they look okay to me, as does their neutral beige shade but obviously there must be more to it than visual appeal. Perhaps the coats of paint protect the cement or something. Anyway...this means that we have to take down our three hanging plants and hooks. Mr. Don't-Hold-My-Legs will be standing on a chair and doing the honors as I watch and offer helpful suggestions like "don't you want me to hold on to your legs?" and "be careful - you could fall!" Important things like that. Speaking of flowers, this was truly a bumper year for all my plants including those in the flower boxes and urns. They all have to be moved to allow for the ladders and balcony painters. The hanging plants don't like it when their hanging parts are squished on the ground level so some will succumb and break off. Oh well - won't be long before they will meet their maker so-to-speak since the plants and earth are emptied on to the bank of the river. There's something very poetic about that act me thinks.
Divine day at the pool. Perfect weather for lounging with gusty winds that allowed for short periods of tanning. Didn't go in the water but everyone who did says the water temperature was fantastic. I'll take their word for it. Finished my Monday New York Times crossword puzzle. Monday is a "do-able" puzzle as is Tuesday but by Friday, I'm at the dozen word stage. Sometimes I don't even understand the clues, never mind fill in the squares. Listened to music on my ear phones and heard one of my all-time favorite songs, "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel. I like! Is there anything better than the summer time and listening to oldies music by a swimming pool?
Once August rolls around, preparations get under way for the autumn version of the party in the park. This time 'round they will be serving up freshly boiled corn, hot dogs, wine/soft drink, dessert. The fall party is always better attended than the Spring one, for one reason or another. The usual DJ will do his version of Barry Manilow's greatest hits and break out with an occasional Lady GaGa, along with many Latin dances, always popular. Hips will sway, bums will wiggle and feet will go along for the ride.
Will be checking out the ducks tonight during a walk on the path near the river and hoping for a woodchuck sighting. Life is good.
Divine day at the pool. Perfect weather for lounging with gusty winds that allowed for short periods of tanning. Didn't go in the water but everyone who did says the water temperature was fantastic. I'll take their word for it. Finished my Monday New York Times crossword puzzle. Monday is a "do-able" puzzle as is Tuesday but by Friday, I'm at the dozen word stage. Sometimes I don't even understand the clues, never mind fill in the squares. Listened to music on my ear phones and heard one of my all-time favorite songs, "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel. I like! Is there anything better than the summer time and listening to oldies music by a swimming pool?
Once August rolls around, preparations get under way for the autumn version of the party in the park. This time 'round they will be serving up freshly boiled corn, hot dogs, wine/soft drink, dessert. The fall party is always better attended than the Spring one, for one reason or another. The usual DJ will do his version of Barry Manilow's greatest hits and break out with an occasional Lady GaGa, along with many Latin dances, always popular. Hips will sway, bums will wiggle and feet will go along for the ride.
Will be checking out the ducks tonight during a walk on the path near the river and hoping for a woodchuck sighting. Life is good.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Lounging by the slippery pool
It's been a sweltering run of hot weather that has drawn condo-villers to cool off in the pool that was newly painted last month. Thing is the condo board for whatever reason - saving money springs to mind - decided to change the pool company servicing the pool. Not such a smart move. This is the same company that took forever to show up to re-paint the pool interior, which resulted in a late opening. As if this wasn't bad enough, the company used a paint that left the surface slippery. Think of walking on wet tiles and you get the idea. Now the pool is filled and the slippery situation was brought to the attention of the condo administration, who in turn responded by adding large black mats at the bottom of the pool in the shallow end and all along the wall. Looks kind of - well - dumb-ish. Thing is, the rest of the pool surface is still slippery and one can only hope that they won't line the entire pool with black mats. Anything is possible...
Some kids visiting the pool unaware of the pool rules one assumes, and who inadvertantly brought water toys in the pool, were quickly advised by an administrator that this was a no-no. Their protective grandmother who happened to be watching nearby, took personal umbrage and proceeded to express her unhappiness loudly and vociferously to the administrator in no uncertain terms.
"What kind of pool is this?" she yelled out so that everyone could hear, going on a rant for a good five minutes. "Children have to play! This isn't a jail!" In the end it didn't do any good and they played with those syrofoam noodles for the remainder of their stay in the pool. I think it bothered the grandmother more than it did the kids.
There are only three round tables with umbrellas, located in primo locations. The thing to do now especially given the strong summer sun is to arrive early at the pool, plop towels and other pool-related accessories on the table and chairs to reserve the spot early as in 1:00 p.m., before people start arriving. So far no one has challenged the reserve-ists as to their practice but we'll see if anyone says anything before the season ends. It's not really fair.
As always the pool temperature is a hot topic in the true sense of the word. Some people prefer the water temp on the cooler side at 79(!)F while others want it kept at 83F. Given the air temperature, which has been hovering at 9oF, the pool water has been a constant 84F. Everyone has an opinion ranging from, "too warm - it's like taking a bath!" to "perfect temperature!" I tend to fall into the latter category.
Nothing like lounging on a noodle while listening to the speed boats race by on the river and to people quibble about the water temperature. Life is good.
Some kids visiting the pool unaware of the pool rules one assumes, and who inadvertantly brought water toys in the pool, were quickly advised by an administrator that this was a no-no. Their protective grandmother who happened to be watching nearby, took personal umbrage and proceeded to express her unhappiness loudly and vociferously to the administrator in no uncertain terms.
"What kind of pool is this?" she yelled out so that everyone could hear, going on a rant for a good five minutes. "Children have to play! This isn't a jail!" In the end it didn't do any good and they played with those syrofoam noodles for the remainder of their stay in the pool. I think it bothered the grandmother more than it did the kids.
There are only three round tables with umbrellas, located in primo locations. The thing to do now especially given the strong summer sun is to arrive early at the pool, plop towels and other pool-related accessories on the table and chairs to reserve the spot early as in 1:00 p.m., before people start arriving. So far no one has challenged the reserve-ists as to their practice but we'll see if anyone says anything before the season ends. It's not really fair.
As always the pool temperature is a hot topic in the true sense of the word. Some people prefer the water temp on the cooler side at 79(!)F while others want it kept at 83F. Given the air temperature, which has been hovering at 9oF, the pool water has been a constant 84F. Everyone has an opinion ranging from, "too warm - it's like taking a bath!" to "perfect temperature!" I tend to fall into the latter category.
Nothing like lounging on a noodle while listening to the speed boats race by on the river and to people quibble about the water temperature. Life is good.
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