The Powers That Be
Feeling MIFFED!
“Why?” you ask…..
(Our building before. Note private, enclosed porches. An outdoor living space)
Well, I wrote previously about the million dollar exterior renovations that took place at our low income building, and probably about our $50-70 rent hike, depending on the unit type. I described in some detail, with pictures, the inconveniences caused by these various “improvements” to our facade, which looks pretty enough from the outside.
However, these changes left tenants with far less privacy and protection from all kinds of elements: wind, rain, sun and snow. Now these elements may encroach right to our living room porch doors, and any privacy we had from neighbors beside us or across the way from us is completely gone. As one fellow put it, ” The bars on the new porch just make me feel like I am in prison.”
In all practicality, if you are not one for being on display, the porch has indeed now become a prison rather than an extra living space. I do not feel comfortable in the new exposure, nor completely safe going out there especially when there is such “give” in the front railing.
For one thing, in my location in this building, I face a bank of windows in the building opposite and a walkway between the buildings. I feel like I am on show on the inside, never mind if I dare to step outside.
Adding insult to injury, the drainage system was completely removed from the porches, now considered unnecessary, and the porch was slanted (see pic below) in an attempt to cause run off to leave the area. I can’t imagine how those much older, and not so steady on their feet as I am, feel about all these uncomfortable changes!
(Can you see the amount of slope in the porch?)
Due to the slant on the porch for drainage, and the fact that any lip was completely removed for said purpose, if you happen to drop anything while out there, it will simply roll away and roll right off the porch to fall down upon whatever unsuspecting person might be below. BOP!!!! OOPS!!!!!!
Great! I think I will buy some marbles and make a GAME of it 😉
Good idea?
Imagine what FUN that could be!!!!
Eleven thousand marbles! YAY!!!!! 😉 😛
I watered my newly arrived plants one day recently and was horrified to see the water run off my porch and pour down onto the porch of the lady beneath me. It then went on down to the porch of the lady beneath her! I’ve had to put something under the pots and I really have to watch that there is no overflow….
Back to the question of the lattice. Some of us previously had lattice vertically placed on our old decks for further privacy. I did. I loved it and it looked like this:
(My porch with lattice previously. Notice privacy and shade. We could even go outside when it was raining.)
We were all informed, however, after the old porches were torn off and replaced, that this vertical lattice attachment to the new porch roof would be expressly forbidden. So we have all tried to come up with other creative ideas for privacy.
We thought that we could maybe put our lattice sideways along the porch instead of vertically, to give a certain amount of privacy. Indeed one tenant had already asked the board and been given permission to install it that way. Several others followed suite. I was still waiting for mine to come from storage in a friend’s place so I could do likewise.
My next door neighbour lady has used lattice effectively as you can see in the next pictures. It blocks some of the opposite windows and the walkway below. It also gives indoor privacy, as you can see. It’s also quite attractive!
(Can you see the measure of privacy afforded by the lattice? It also provides a degree of shade from the sun)
However, here is the latest glitch. The newest powers that be have taken over the care of the building and are in the process of doing property inspections. I talked to the lady downstairs from me who has had her inspection today and she has been told to remove the horizontal lattice from her railings! She has shown her compliance already by removing her lattice immediately in obedience to the orders of the powers that be! I did not get a chance to put mine up and obviously won’t 😦
So, I’m not a happy camper about all of these things. It’s all so ridiculous! I have just vented here. Sorry folks!
Well, I have shared my frustration. I’ve written it all out. I have also attempted to see some of the funny side and to amuse (the marbles I plan to lose!). I hope that makes you smile and take some of the edge off of the complaints 🙂
My bible tells me I must not be a complainer and that I must live peacably with those around me. I must be happy and obey those in authority over me. God knows my situation. I need to find the blessing in all of this somehow, or maybe just count my many other blessings (a roof over my head, food in my belly) and be content.
I Thessalonians 5:18
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. “
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Romans 13:13
“All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. 2 So whoever opposes the authorities opposes leaders whom God has appointed.”
All right. God has spoken. And He has the final word!
Ann ❤
4 comments on “The Powers That Be”
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Ann’s Corner Pics
Ann's Corner 
Oh, I think you have a right to vent. The building was so much nicer with the other outdoor space. Have you thought about handing outdoor sheer curtains?
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We are not allowed to affix anything outside
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I did think about trifold portable screen that could be moved in and out to create a privacy corner….
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Perfect
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