THE YARD pictures part 2

As you climb the five steps to the front of our building, the comfortable looking shaded front porch to the left strikes you. Done try to move the lovely wooden benches. They are screwed to the concrete. Old people steal too much – I guess we sit and people watch (some of the women ogle the shirtless men who run by – shocking I know) and we all yell at cars flying past. Out oldest resident once yelled at a slow moving car staring at us – They won’t let us off the porch. You are taking your life into your hands if you try to cross the street. There is a curve that begins at our porch and it is hard to see to your right and our other building blocks the view to the left, but it is done all the time. You should see some of us trying to run.

Obviously the door is right in front of you are the top of the stairs. Our key opens both the outside and inside door. This is great for those in a wheelchair or even coming in with packages. There is a ramp entrance to the left

At the bottom of the ramp and to the right is one of our two very large parking lots. Each holds four cars. The first and third spots are reserved for residents. There are 34 spots in the garage and 39 cars. The last three to arrive are outside. The back parking lot also holds eight cars and one spot is reserved for a resident.

Now we get to the are of one of our great war stories. What yard we have is located between building one and two. You can barely see in the back and to the left the tables and chairs set up for us. They have umbrellas but they are not us yet because of the wind. The parking lot is to the right. At the bottom of the ramp and along the top of the stonewall ledge is the location of Garden Wars. Residents who want a garden space are assign ones up here. This is a matter of arguing, whining, crying and fighting for the whole summer. The wars have already begun and will be reported in time.

The last picture is the sight of the largest Garden War of 2010. The large boxes were installed for the use of those in wheelchairs. To accommodate them better, the area was paved beautifully. Chas had the box in the back. He also had two pots up against the stone wall in the sun. His arch enemy had two spots up on the top of the wall. As you can see, there is a hose hanging on the wall. It is for the use of all whose garden it reaches. However, and here's the rub. The ledge tenant said the pots were a tripping hazard and moved them under the flower box everyday. She never returned them. Try to imagine two pots sitting against the wall and ask - what tripping hazard and for whom. Only the up high tenant had any reason to be at the rock wall. But under no circumstance would she put the pots back where she found them nor did she seem capable of working around them. This lasted all summer. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Chas was given a flower box are the bottom of the stairs to out building. He has stayed away from the boxes. His arch enemy is angry that she did not get that area and she will not let it go. If she had her way, she would take the entire yard. She reminds people all the time that she has a degree in plants (can remember the fancy word). She is upset as no one will bow to her superior intelligence.

No matter how this works out, I am done trying to fix it the way I want it. No layout, no fancy arrangement. I don't even think I can get the message up at the top like it should be. I may try to figure out something else next time. Please, let me know if this is of interest to you. I already know what this place looks like so don't need photos. I desire your input on this series of blogs. There are likely to be 5-6 more. Just can't fight with getting them all in at once.