backwater

Our backyard is a lake. Or, in light of the real Lake down the street, perhaps the backyard is better described as a pond. Poor drainage does not begin to describe what is going on back there.

In other, drier news, yesterday I got to play tour guide for a change, showing off our little stretch of Waterfront Trail and Port Credit village to Marnie.

On our way, we met a woman walking a whole pack of nice dogs, and I think I've found a dogwalker! Since I'm working from home, we don't need dogwalking on a daily basis. But we don't believe in leaving a dog alone for extended periods of time; even if they can technically handle it, more than 4 or 5 hours without a walk or some company doesn't seem right to me. So if (for example) we're in the city for the day, and want to stay out for dinner, we can't really, unless we have someone to come in and take care of Cody. That was one bit of settling-in business I hadn't taken care of - and I think it might have taken care of itself yesterday.

Comments

  1. Granny21 January 2006 at 12:11

    Beautiful. I lived for a couple of years at Lake Erie (Buffalo) and Lake Michigan (Detroit) but I'm not sure if I ever saw Lake Ontario, even as a child who grew up in New York state.

    Possibly. I know I've been to Rochester and that's getting fairly close I think.

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  2. laura k21 January 2006 at 12:22

    In fact it's on Lake Ontario. There's a ferry between Toronto and Rochester.

    The real Lake (Lake Ontario) down the street is beautiful. But what's going on in our backyard is not! It's not supposed to be a lake - it's a yard. Only now it's a series of large puddles and mud holes.

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  3. laura k21 January 2006 at 12:24

    Detroit is Lake Erie, too, by the way. Chicago (among other cities) is on Lake Michigan.

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  4. David Cho21 January 2006 at 13:06

    OMG! You live in a lakeside neighborhood? (I know I've said it many times).

    Hmmm.. a dog walker. I have roommates who are home more than I am, but when we are all at work, that is a concept. How much does it cost?

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  5. laura k21 January 2006 at 13:13

    (I know I've said it many times).

    I was starting to think it was early-early-onset Alzheimer's... :)

    when we are all at work, that is a concept. How much does it cost?

    It's always been a necessity for us. With our old work schedule in NYC, we were gone from 8 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. on the weekends. Plus we liked to stay out without stressing them or us.

    The price varies with the neighbourhood. In NY we used to pay $10 per walk per dog. In more upscale neighbourhoods in the city it would be double that. The woman I ran into yesterday in Port Credit charges $15/hr. It's well worth it IMO.

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  6. Marnie21 January 2006 at 19:09

    (Hmm, the profound and moving comment I posted earlier has not shown up yet, so I'll try again. Stupid computer. Or user.)

    That was a nice walk yesterday. You have beautiful buffleheads. I'm glad I braved the scary GO train and ventured all the way to scenic Port Credit.

    BTW, the Rochester-Toronto ferry has been scrapped for good, I believe, due to lack of interest.

    The dog-walker did mention that her walks tend to be an hour and a half to two hours, so that raises the price.

    Maybe it's the odd weather conditions that are causing your pond? Springtime will reveal all, I guess. You might want to stock up on goldfish.

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  7. laura k21 January 2006 at 19:50

    You have beautiful buffleheads.

    No comment.

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  8. laura k21 January 2006 at 19:52

    BTW, the Rochester-Toronto ferry has been scrapped for good, I believe, due to lack of interest.

    I thought that was the high-speed ferry, and there was still another one...? No?

    The dog-walker did mention that her walks tend to be an hour and a half to two hours, so that raises the price.

    I thought she meant she charges $15/hr but doesn't watch the clock! If the meter is running, Cody doesn't need a $30 walk!

    Maybe it's the odd weather conditions that are causing your pond?

    Snow melt, rain and not enough grass? The infamous former tenant never picked up the leaves, and the lawn died. That probably has something to do with it. We could use a weeping willow back there. (Or a pump!)

    I'll keep my eye out for that profound and moving comment.

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  9. Marnie22 January 2006 at 05:39

    No, that was the only ferry link, so would-be visitors to Rochester will just have to drive, I guess.

    >I thought she meant she charges $15/hr but doesn't watch the clock!

    Ah, you might be right there. I took it the other way. Good point to verify with the woman!

    I was wondering if the ground had frozen enough to impede normal drainage in your yard, especially with all the rain. But then, has it even been cold enough this crazy winter? Beats me.

    I know you don't skate, but if the temperature ever drops, maybe you could rent out your backyard rink to the neighbourhood kids. We're all about the hockey up here, eh?

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  10. laura k22 January 2006 at 06:28

    No, that was the only ferry link, so would-be visitors to Rochester will just have to drive, I guess.

    Oh, boo. I actually have relatives in Rochester. We're going to a wedding near there in June. I was hoping to take the ferry...

    I was wondering if the ground had frozen enough to impede normal drainage in your yard, especially with all the rain.

    Given the lack of note from landlord and neighbours, I don't think there's anything unusual going on. I think the yard doesn't have any normal drainage.

    if the temperature ever drops, maybe you could rent out your backyard rink to the neighbourhood kids

    And if it doesn't, mud wrestling.

    ReplyDelete

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