Time Passing in the Time of COVID-19 by Martha MacLachlan

We begin each day with the while our vulnerable fellow citi- side of the Shoppers at Yonge and ominous COVID hovering over us, zens, captive now in long term care Charles, tells me Bill Gates inflicted the repercussions controlling how homes, are dying, with the absence COVID. I extract myself from this we conduct our daily activity. The of loved ones at their bedside. Every sheer stupidity and walk away. new normal is well, normal now. day is a numbers game as we check We’ve been fear filled, legally im- the news for the daily update of How to be happy – what an posed upon. We offer no resistance. positive cases. The dips in the stock empty word – when everyday is We have coalesced. market are no longer the headline. the same as the day before, no change in sight, no power to make Inside our beloved Homewood that change, with spring not even the bustle of residents coming bothering to weave its magic. Each and going has lessened. Passing morning, as I make leave of my a neighbour in the lobby becomes bed and rearrange the covers, the highlight of the day. In our hall- “How to be I think ahead to night time when ways we sometimes catch sight of happy...when I will be able to go back to bed a resident speed walking to the exit and wake up to the next day, when door, doing the stairs is the workout every day is maybe time will be finally rendered de jour. the same as back to how it was.

On one of those essential walks the day In my head an earbud raises me to pick up provisions, I encounter up from the gloom, and I seek a neighbour. Standing two me- before?” the song, ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ tres away from her I listen to her by Natasha Bedingfield, here on complaint. “Loblaws is open for YouTube. shopping to seniors from seven to eight each morning but the LCBO Life is what matters. We can live doesn’t open until 11a.m.”, chagrin with less money; we can’t live with And I dance like no-one is watch- in her voice. I concur that this is a COVID suppressing our ability to ing, and I sing out loud, like no- valid complaint if they want seniors breathe. one is listening, “Take me away, a to minimize going out and then I secret place, a sweet escape, take laugh. It feels good. me away, take me away, to better The longer this goes on, the more days…” Laughing that day helped relieve the conspiracy theories abound. I the heaviness in my heart. I know no longer know if it’s a pandemic In the time of COVID, time of two residents recently hospital- or bio-chemical warfare, an evil plot stands still, but there is nowhere ized (not COVID related), one with emanating from who knows where, else I’d rather be, suspended in expected recovery, one in palliative to collapse capitalism, to destroy time, than with all of you here at care, both alone with no visitors the western world, add what you Homewood. Stay safe. Be patient. allowed. We are rendered impotent will to the list. A security guard out- This too shall pass. Q: I want to install an air conditioner in my win- any deliveries you may receive. We hope everyone is dow. Is there anything special I should know? maintaining physical distancing and washing hands It’s May and we expect more and more window often with soap and water. air conditioners being installed. The following was published last year and is re-published here to help Q: Who do I contact when the office is closed if protect the sliders in our windows. I have a suite or building emergency? If you want to install an air conditioner please be The office hours are 9 am to 6 pm on Monday, sure to use the metal shelf provided last year or get a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday the metal shelf from the management office to fit under office remains open until 7 pm to accommodate your air conditioning unit. This shelf will protect the those who need to make arrangements with office fragile metal sliders in the windows. If you have not staff after normal business hours. When the office is previously picked up a shelf from closed please contact security the office please contact them to at 416-771-7529. We have 24- get one. If the window sliders get hour security available to assist damaged, the cost to repair them you. Please note that until the will be charged to the unit owners. OFFICE COVID-19 crisis is over the office Please be mindful of the window REMINDERS staff members work alternate sizes and ensure your air condition- days and the office is open for ing unit is the proper size for your Feeding pigeons 10 minute time periods at 10 window. We’ve seen very heavy air am, 2 pm, 4 pm and at 6 pm and squirrels on conditioners installed in windows (Wednesdays only). and they have bent the new win- the grounds is dow frames. prohibited Q: I see you’ve installed ac- Dogs should cessibility buttons in the B2 Q: Why were the gym and oth- be walked off the garage and front door area. er common areas closed in mid- grounds and not Thank you. Yes, just before the March? The gym, party room, on the grass COVID-19 outbreak we had library, meeting room, patio and on site contracted to have these ac- lobby seating areas were closed on cessibility buttons installed. We advice from city and Toronto Public hope they are helpful for those Health and Provincial notifications. wishing to avoid door handles We have curtailed contractors for entering or exiting the build- coming into the building, except in emergency ing. Please tap the button with an elbow, a knuckle situations. We have also been told that contractors or key to open the door. Please do not use your feet providing essential emergency services will not enter to activate these buttons. They are cleaned by staff private residences at this time. Open houses have also regularly and security is regularly cleaning the front been stopped and we ask that, if possible, you re- door handles, intercom screen and accessibility but- quest delivery people meet you in the lobby to collect tons numerous times per shift. Q: I’ve got a blocked kitchen drain and tried all merge before reaching the stack. In these cases the household procedures but think I need a plumb- owners of the two neighbouring units would be re- er. Should I just call any plumber or does the sponsible for contacting the plumber and sharing the condo corporation have a preferred plumber? cost of unclogging the drain if the blockage is before When a kitchen drain is clogged and you’ve exhaust- the stack. If you are in one of these units you’re asked ed all options to unclog it such as using a plunger or to contact the building’s plumber directly. drain opening chemicals then your best option is to If the plumber determines the blockage is found to call in a professional. Our residents should contact be in the drain pipe then the bill will be charged to our plumbing contractor to do this. Currently our the unit owner or resident who called Mainline. The main plumbing contractor handling in-suite plumbing two neighbours would then have to settle up to share issues is Mainline as found on our website as follows: this cost. As with the example above, if the plumber finds the blockage further on in Mainline Plumbing the stack then the plumber will 905-761-0073 not charge the owner or resident Emergency Hotline: but will bill the condo corporation. 1-877-761-0073 OFFICE Blockages are usually related to [email protected] what people put down the drain REMINDERS and very infrequently will they be stack related. Our plumbers will ask for a pay- Check your balcony ment option such as a credit card Please try to keep your drains to make sure there number before arriving on site. unclogged by using a baking soda This is to ensure payment should aren’t places for and vinegar solution in them every the blockage be related to the pigeons to nest month. This should be followed by drain pipes attached to your sink a kettle of boiling water. You could and not a blockage in the building Thank you, also use the hot water remaining in drain stack. The plumber can de- everyone for your kettle after making a cup of termine whether a blocked drain’s helping out and tea by pouring this water down the obstruction is within the drain pipe drain to help it stay clean. These making a great tips may help to keep your drains or the stack and if found in the community! drain pipe the owner or resident running smoothly as well. is responsible for the service call. If Be aware non-licensed plumb- the blockage is determined by our ers are not permitted to work on plumber to be in the stack and not any plumbing issue or installation the drain pipe then Mainline will invoice the condo in our building. If contracting with a plumber that is corporation and not the resident. not on our approved list they must present their cre- There are a few units on each floor that have a dentials to the management office before engaging particular drain pipe design where two units’ drains in any work on site.

DIY Home Cleaning Product Recipes Guerilla Gardening for the Pollinators by Michael Csiki by Lisa Ricciuti

Scented All-Purpose Cleaner Glass Cleaner Due to the unforeseen • One part white vinegar - 2 cups water circumstances, we are unable - One part water - 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar to meet, plan, and collaborate - Lemon rind - 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol on the pollinator garden this - Rosemary sprigs 70% concentration season. To continue last year’s - 1 to 2 drops of essential oil success, we came up with Directions: Combine in a for scent (optional) a few ways people can still spray bottle and shake well. Great for windows and mirrors, participate with the pollina- combine these ingredients and tor garden while maintaining Caution: Do not use acidic pour them in a spray bottle. social distance. cleaners on granite, as they 1. Be a guerilla gardener – will etch the stone. Hint: Don’t clean windows on a hot, sunny day, because the plant your own contributions Note: this recipe is not a solution will dry too quickly and directly in the designated pol- disinfectant. You can find leave streaks. For mirrors, spray linator garden area wherever other recipes online for the solution on a soft cloth first you see a space. Or plant some your needs. before wiping. seeds. 2. Alternatively, if you have plants, seeds, or just want to donate some money to the garden, please reach out to the Green Committee directly and we’ll coordinate a socially distanced handoff. 3. Go down and water the pollinator garden anytime. We had a hard time keeping up with it last year. 4. Leave the milkweed alone! It was whacked down    twice last year destroying many monarch eggs and their only food source. Brushes & Cocktails I know many can’t work is becoming even On YouTube right now and money is 5. Have a balcony garden more virtual. I’ll be ‘Escape to Africa’ tight. If you’re feeling and plant a few things for the doing a live event generous, these online pollinators. Some people have on May 20th at 7:30 sessions are a ‘pay what seen butterflies above the 20th pm. If you wish to you can’. A new video is floor. attend please email on my YouTube channel. We’re grateful for all dona- me to let me know. Click here to go to B&C tions, but please try to contrib- If you need sup- on YouTube, or look for ute plants – or seeds – that are plies, (a brush set, a ‘Brushes & Cocktails Paint paint tube set and 2 Events’. Please let me indigenous whenever possible. canvases), they’re available for $20 know if you are joining and a link and will be delivered to your door for the paint night will be provided. the day before the live event. I will Email me at: not be charging for the courses, as [email protected] If you have a Spring Cleaning during the Pandemic hoard of empties... by Lisa Ricciuti (...& Lord knows I do! ) Why not donate them to the For many of us, spring can be room instead. Unlike clothes and Gardening Committee, once a great time to give your place a personal effects, food and bath- we have the all-clear, so they thorough deep clean. Sometimes room products sometimes expire can buy plants & supplies? that includes going through so use them up while they’re still your personal belongings and good. By doing so you may be Donation day & time putting aside items to donate able to delay a trip to the store to be announced... or gift. With the Oasis Bin, Free and save some money. Boutique, and other donation Another option is to “deep options unavailable for a while, clean” your electronic stuff e.g., it makes this second project chal- emails, documents, bookmarked lenging, unless you have space links, contacts, digital photos, available to store the give-away etc. This can easily be done while items. maintaining social distance and the 40 Homewood As an alternative to the usual won’t create additional follow Spring Cleanup purging areas like closets, draw- up tasks, like visiting the recy- ers, and shelves, consider going cling room. May 9th at 10 am through the kitchen and bath- For tips and tricks on getting (Rain Date: May 10th at 10 am) started, check out these blog posts at thedeletist.com: Let’s work together and do a Purging in the Time of spring cleanup of the grounds, Pandemic: Physical Stuff the length of a hockey stick Purging in the Time of apart from each other. We’ll Pandemic: Electronic Stuff meet on Saturday, May 9th at Bathroom Hoarder 10 am in front of the building, to be supplied with a bag and gloves. We can fan out over the property to pick up debris To Martha, and garbage that has blown & all the ‘Marthas’ at 40 Homewood onto the property or has been by Esther Podoliak left by inconsiderates. Hope to see you then! You must be made from saintly material – you go out here and there – it doesn’t matter where, to satisfy the grocery needs of those you come and serve, and sometimes what we’re asking for – you’d think we have a nerve. But here we are shut up at home, too old to venture out, for we could catch that awful bug – there seems to be no doubt. Delivery and Takeout Container Disposal in COVID Times by Michael Csiki As we continue to socially distance and stay indoors, I share another recipe this month. And like the last one, this When you receive a delivery, I suggest dish makes use of items many may already have. I offer you: preparing a clean surface in your kitchen, The Best Tuna Casserole and then transferring your food contents from takeout containers to a plate or a Ingredients clean container. 2 cups pasta, uncooked (or 4 cups cooked) Once your food is transferred, place 1 can tuna the empty container in a sink full of soapy water. Let it soak, and clean any food resi- 1 can of cream of celery soup (cream of mushroom works too) due from it. 1 can of water 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp of mayonnaise Paper containers or boxes can be placed in a plastic bag and 1 tbsp butter composted as normal. 2 or 3 celery stalks chopped fine 1 medium onion, diced Reminder: black plastics go into the garbage. 1 cup of shredded cheddar (save some for topping)

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or croutons) Think of ways to reuse clean takeout containers for future use. Directions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. When ordering, say no to single-use

• Using oven-safe pan, cook the vegetables in butter till items such as utensils or condiment browned, about 5 minutes. packets, such as ketchup. If you don’t need them, there’s no need • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to instructions – maca- roni works well, or penne – something that the sauce will to collect them. hold onto.

• Add the pasta to the vegetables. Add a can of water (pasta water works well), the mayo, and half of the cheese. Mix through. Top with bread crumbs (I put croutons in a blender) and remaining cheese. Bake for 35 minutes.

• Serve with vegetable of choice (or not!)

I call this the “Best” because I’ve tried many... and people, this one is it! Enjoy!

for the full unedited article, visit www.goodeatscheapeatsandsweetspots.ca When’s it gonna feel like spring?