by Pa Rock
Farmer in Winter
For the past year or so I have been considering the notion of having metal roofs installed on my house, garage, and well house. Finding the right people to do the job - or any job in a rural community - was not easy, but I finally came upon a family outfit that was well known for their honesty and work ethic. They were so in demand, however, that it was difficult to get them scheduled.
Last week the leader of the three-man crew telephoned and said that he had an immediate opening, and I quickly accepted. He came and did careful measurements, discussed certain aspects of the project with me, and then submitted a bid which was in line with what I had been expecting. The three started work the next day, and they anticipate finishing tomorrow.
This family work crew is unique in that they are Amish or Mennonite - I don't know the difference, and though we have shared a bit over the week, we have not discussed religion - or politics. Instead of cars or trucks, they come to work on a farm tractor pulling a trailer that hauls the day's equipment and some of their supplies. Yesterday one of the young workers had some errands to run at lunch, so he arrived on his own farm tractor.
The foreman is about forty-five to fifty, and he is assisted by his son-in-law and the son-in-law's brother-in-law - both in their twenties. They arrive on time each morning, put in a complete day's work, and clean up after themselves before heading home in the evenings.
The work included not only putting a green metal roof on all three buildings, but also restructuring the porch overhang on the front of the house. The new roof is almost completed, and it is beautiful! One envious neighbor remarked that it would last at least forty years, which may be longer than I need it.
Rosie and I are enjoying having all of the extra company in our lives. She has to go outside several times a day just to observe their progress, and the guys always notice and speak to her when she is out. The cats, on the other hand, try to steer clear of the commotion.
Come see me here in the Ozark hills, and we'll listen to the spring rains rattling on my new metal roof. You'll be sure to stay dry when you are sitting snugly in the little house at Rock's Roost!
Farmer in Winter
For the past year or so I have been considering the notion of having metal roofs installed on my house, garage, and well house. Finding the right people to do the job - or any job in a rural community - was not easy, but I finally came upon a family outfit that was well known for their honesty and work ethic. They were so in demand, however, that it was difficult to get them scheduled.
Last week the leader of the three-man crew telephoned and said that he had an immediate opening, and I quickly accepted. He came and did careful measurements, discussed certain aspects of the project with me, and then submitted a bid which was in line with what I had been expecting. The three started work the next day, and they anticipate finishing tomorrow.
This family work crew is unique in that they are Amish or Mennonite - I don't know the difference, and though we have shared a bit over the week, we have not discussed religion - or politics. Instead of cars or trucks, they come to work on a farm tractor pulling a trailer that hauls the day's equipment and some of their supplies. Yesterday one of the young workers had some errands to run at lunch, so he arrived on his own farm tractor.
The foreman is about forty-five to fifty, and he is assisted by his son-in-law and the son-in-law's brother-in-law - both in their twenties. They arrive on time each morning, put in a complete day's work, and clean up after themselves before heading home in the evenings.
The work included not only putting a green metal roof on all three buildings, but also restructuring the porch overhang on the front of the house. The new roof is almost completed, and it is beautiful! One envious neighbor remarked that it would last at least forty years, which may be longer than I need it.
Rosie and I are enjoying having all of the extra company in our lives. She has to go outside several times a day just to observe their progress, and the guys always notice and speak to her when she is out. The cats, on the other hand, try to steer clear of the commotion.
Come see me here in the Ozark hills, and we'll listen to the spring rains rattling on my new metal roof. You'll be sure to stay dry when you are sitting snugly in the little house at Rock's Roost!
1 comment:
The tractor suggests that they are Mennonite because they are moderate regarding technology. The Amish are more likely to arrive via horse powered wagon.
Several of my former Osawatomie neighbors had metal roofs. They are attractive and sturdy. Congratulations.
Post a Comment