Thursday, July 30, 2009

Local Weather and Signs


(The Ottawa Citizen)


It's official. Ottawa's July precipitation has broken all records with 234.2 mm (> 9") which is about 10 mm over the previous record. Two winters past we only missed record snowfall by a very small margin, so we're certainly experiencing unusual wetness in general. Also, there are areas with flooded basements. Supposedly the system can handle anything except what is termed a hundred year storm (defined as between 90 -98 mm falling within a 24 hour period). Statistically, there's only a one percent chance of such a storm occurring; therefore, it should only happen once every hundred years. Somebody forgot to explain that the the atmosphere because there have been three such storms in the past 14 years. So, this is the third flooding of basements for some, and, apparently, the finances still haven't settled from the 2002 flood.

I have seen two signs (or photos of signs) recently that I am posting below. The first, I took at the local nursery; it made me feel good for some reason.



The next was in the newspaper. It amuses me to some degree although many might find it tasteless and unworthy of AC. It's of a sign at the entry to one of the communities within the city limits of Ottawa. The city left the bottom right square blank (outlined in red), so one wiseacre filled it in quite authentically because it fits in with the rest of the sign really well (in terms of graphic design anyway): so well that there have been inquiries. :) According to the newwspaper report, the sign has been removed and will be redone — with no section left blank.


(The Ottawa Citizen)

13 comments:

Mara said...

It's quite a shame to remove that last sign: someone has gone to an awful lot of trouble to make it as authentic as can be!
The first sign is good as well, I wouldn't be able to find any of those over here either!

MARY G said...

I'm with Mara. What a pity to axe something quite funny.
And I like the first one too. We have something very similar at the local community hall.

Barry said...

Too bad the fine citizens of Constance Bay didn't have a sense of humour.

And what better way to increase the population, and pass the time on a rainy day!

kent.. said...

At least it wasn't drawn with a circle and a slash through it. I wonder what the actual intent of the sign was? Surely not the obvious.

Amanda said...

Love it!

Kathy Trejo said...

Hello AC :)

Looks like Ottawa has something for everybody! hee-hee

I'm back to reading blogs...just thought I'd stop by and say hello.
(((Hugs)))

Ruth said...

In Mennonite country north of Waterloo, you sometimes see produce for sale at a farm lane with a sign that indicates you should leave the money in the mailbox. It does make you feel good. I don't know what to make of the second sign...

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I would going to make the same observation as Ruth. In the country it is not unusual to find produce stands at the farm gate where you just leave the money in a box on the table. The one I am most familiar with is a Mennonite farm so maybe it is a Mennonite thing.

As for the sign. They should save it and send it to Conception Bay, Newfoundland, where they might find it more appropriate. Or Come by Chance, Newfoundland. Or Intercourse, PA. Now the ideas are flowing!

Anonymous said...

Can't help it (and not sure what this says about me) but the second sign had me laugh out loud. :-)

Crazy weather this summer!!! Still have high hot hopes for August.

Unseen India Tours said...

Loved it ..Thanks for sharing...Great..Unseen Rajasthan

Mary said...

AC,

Produce is sometimes sold at fruit stands at the end of laneways in the Simcoe area with a box in which to leave the money. Does this old heart good to see that some people still trust others to be honest. It saddens me though when you see people taking the produce without paying.

We've had those same storms here. It was sunny all day yesterday until about 4:30pm, when a downpour began. Lasted only an hour and cleared off again. The sun is shining brightly today.

As for the second sign...the city should have known better than to leave a blank space on the sign.

Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Mary

Heather Plett said...

That bottom sign made me laugh out loud!

luna pie said...

tasteless and unworthy!? no way!!! sure put a smile on my face too :)