Paving stones are not as green as you think

Paving stones should be green. Rugged. Long lasting. Potentially, the stones can stay in use forever with just a little maintenance. But, that is all in theory. In reality, styles change, stones begin to look dated and the homeowner has the old one lifted, removed and replaced. And what happens to the old stones? They are hauled to the dump.

The paving stones being laid are not stone at all. They are formed concrete. They are replacing older paving bricks. The small, red bricks were beginning to show signs of age. Until power washed the bricks were beginning to look stained. I called it a patina. Stain or patina, the power washer blasted it away. But sporting a clean surface was not enough to save the old bricks or make them desirable for reuse. I don't understand.

It may be my patio but, still, I think this is crazy. Why do it? Because my wife doesn't agree and one must pick one's battles. Oh well, I managed to save the decades old paving stone driveway and walk. And I kept some of old stones to repair the drive and walk if and when necessary. Maybe, just maybe, it will last indefinitely. I can only hope.

Homes that aim to go off the grid

These are the townhouses that are part of the new green neighbourhood in the southwest end of London. Note the solar panels on the roofs.

If all goes well, I believe the ultimate goal is to have these home completely off the grid. They may even be off at this time.

Why post a photo of a few small stores?

This small, suburban, strip mall is located in the new subdivision featured in a couple of the recent posts. The goal here is to provide stores and services within a short walk or drive of the nearby residents.

On one hand this is good but on the other hand I think it could have been done better. Why are there not low-height, medium density, apartments above the commercial spaces? When I was a boy I had friends and relatives who lived above businesses. It was done successfully in the past.

The aim is, I believe, to go off-the-grid

The Sifton Centre, featured a few days ago, is on the left. Clearly it is but one of a number of commercial buildings with solar panels hidden in the modern looking facades. The goal, I believe of this development in the west end of London, Ontario, is go off-the-grid at some point.

Feeling the music

Another photo from the dance practice held in the court in front of my home. It appears the ladies are stretching and warming up at this point in the practice.

COVID-19 is not stopping these ladies. Can't hold the regular dance practice inside, hold it outside. The ladies checked with the health department and the folk living on the court before plugging in their stereo equipment.

Almost empty hospital waiting room now the norm

Hospital waiting rooms are almost never empty or almost empty. At least that was the norm in the past. It is not the norm today thanks to COVID-19.

My liver is failing. It is a race between my heart and my liver to see which organ totally fails first. The heart has the edge. Livers are a bit more resilient. When I visited the liver specialist handling my case, the waiting room was just about empty.

The hospital restricts entry to only those with appointments. This means husbands and wives can no longer accompany their mates to their medical appointments. And even those with appointments have to run a gauntlet of questions before being allowed to enter. And you had better have arrived wearing a mask. No mask? No entry!

It is counter-intuitive but a lot of things are running faster and more efficiently with the pandemic raging. A lot of stuff is still closed. But if it is running it is probably running in a severely truncated state and yet with a full, or almost full, staff. I wonder how long this will continue.

A mask doesn't stop making a fashion statement

I spotted this young woman in a local store. I immediately thought, "Picture!" And thankfully she agreed to having a fast photo taken. Don't you just love the colour coordinated face mask and the pattern is such a wonderful bonus. And note the matching top. "Wow!" When I worked at the local paper before my retirement, I sometimes used non-models for fashion shoots. The best model with whom I ever worked was actually an art major from the local university. She was brilliant. And yes, the best models are thinkers and very creative, as well. Ah, if only I were still shooting fashion. I'd find something this woman could model. I'm sure she'd be great. And the pictures would be better, too. My little point-and-shoot's image suffers a little from camera shake caused by a slow shutter speed. At least, that is what this photographer in his 70s is claiming.