Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Turrets' Syndrome

To relieve the snow blindness I am presently suffering from, or to assist me in becoming blind to the snow that is swirling about outside my windows here in the Hills, I'm gazing back fondly at some of my favourite colourful houses I walked past on my marathon trek from one end of Montreal to the other last November.



Fit for a fairytale princess, I think. 
Obviously a sleeping one, judging from the dried up plants on the balcony. 



A veritable paintbox of house colours! 
This row of homes is across the street from a delightful little park named Carré St-Louis.  The first time I moved to Montreal, in 1970, I lived in this area.  But even at that time, before they were massively renovated, these jewels were far beyond my rent budget.  In the winter time, the centre of the park is flooded and an ice-rink is made and lined with twinkling Christmas lights.  In the summer, students from near-by McGill University sit on park benches, reading serious books, while rubbies, or out-of-work professors,  panhandle for cigarettes or spare change.  Such are the scenes these turreted condos gaze down upon. 



In the same neighbourhood, a poster-papered kiosk competes for attention with the colourful mural behind it.  I find the shape and positioning of the windows high up in the wall particularly intriguing.  Do you think there's a half-floor, like in the movie "Being John Malkovich"?



Here we see the new cropping up against the old, Quebec flag patriotically snapping to attention in the wind.
Have you noticed I have a thing for turrets? 
Must be the princess in me.




13 comments:

  1. Turrets for Tourists and wanna be Princesses.

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  2. Shirl, your comment reminds me of the old Byrds' song, only I'd change the words to

    For every princess
    Turn, turn, turn,
    There is a turret,
    Turn, turn, turn,
    And a rhyme that has no reason
    Under Heaven.

    Tra-la!

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  3. What an interesting title, nearly got confussed by its various meanings, such as Turrets syndrome and the Turret architecture.
    Seems as if the streets of your city do as well provide many interesting places, one can easily get confussed with, wondering why it is so beautiful there and many times that ugly here.
    Please have a wonderful Thursday.

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  4. Robert, I was playing with words and double meanings in my title, so it's no wonder that you were confused. Montreal certainly does have its charms and colourful corners but, as with all big cities, lots of ugly places as well. I tend to focus on that which pleases me. Not always so easy to do with one's thoughts, but certainly one's camera focus.
    Happy days to you, too, Robert.

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  5. Oh, wonderful Munster house or Stuart Little?? BUGGER, shit forgot what I was going to comment...

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  6. Saj, I think you did just comment! And quite colourfully, too.
    ;-D

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  7. Saj--#&%!!!@!!

    Now I get it! Duh! Turrets/Tourette Syndrome. For a minute there, I thought you were just doing what comes naturally.

    Jeez. I am losing it, as Owen feared. Not to even get my own joke when it's swearing me in the face!

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  8. Yes, turrets are splendidly romantic and lovely.
    Currently live in a rather utilitarian box.
    Enjoy your snow.
    We have none yet.

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  9. I told you I was the evil twin! :-)

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  10. Ah, but Elizabeth, it's location that counts, and what one does with the insides of the box!

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  11. Saj, I never doubted it for a moment...though I'm beginning to suspect that BrOwen is not such a choir boy himself!

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  12. oh these are beauties... John grew up in Montreal and has often told me I would love the historical architecture there... I see what he means....

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  13. Hi Gwen,
    Aren't they lovely? It's great that they didn't tear everything down in the inexorable push for modernity. Many are apartments, while others house boutiques. A great city to walk around in, gawking. Even hermits need to get a big city fix from time to time, I find!

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