We had plumbing problems. Or, more specifically, drainage problems. The house we live in is old. Small, too. The plumbing is not new. It’s basic, PVC, exposed underneath the house. Ugly-looking, PVC is! I don’t like the blazing, plastic whiteness of it and the small black writing on its side. It’s about as unattractive as you can get, and it’s a constant reminder of how we’re not helping the Earth by using this indestructible stuff. Everyone uses it, but that’s no excuse.
Great story and even better solution. I've never been what some people label as "handy around the house." Anytime something breaks, my solution is to call for help and write a check. It's in reaction to growing up in a poor family in Kentucky. One summer, I was forced to help build our 40x40 garage from concrete to roof. Another summer, I helped my dad dig a basement under our house by hand. When I complained and wanted a day off, he'd have a load of wood delivered to the house and have my chop it up before I "took the rest of the day off." These days, Darrell rocks whenever I need him, whatever his name may be. :-)
Hi Richard , thank you for your story. Always good to hear from you and to read your well written letters. Can't wait you being in Paris and the Sacré Coeur !
All’s Well That Ends Well. Congratulations, Richard! You were blessed by meeting Darren. If you have a chance, tell him that one of your friends said meeting people like him is a lucky chance, and he is in the guild of heroes for me.
Lovely story. You’ve captured it beautifully, that feeling of relief knowing a competent, decent person can handle the job and charge you a reasonable fee. (We have our own Darren who helps out in our Catskills bungalow!) A really nice read, thank you Richard!
Ah! the miracle of someone competent who actually shows up, fixes the problem and doesn't charge you hospital prices. I can totally relate. I admire your ability to turn the feelings associated with such an experience into a nice story to read.
Yes, Olivier, I remember you telling me about some of your encounters about the water? Heating? Cooling? At your house. I'm so glad you found it a decent story.
Nice story, Rich. We’ve all been there, and you captured the feelings of relief and gratitude well that we have when a good man comes to the house and saves our butt from some mechanical or technological problem. I hope life in LA is going well for you.
Yes! The piece is really about how vulnerable we are in terms of things that go wrong and how good it is to find an honest person who knows what they're doing.
Great story and even better solution. I've never been what some people label as "handy around the house." Anytime something breaks, my solution is to call for help and write a check. It's in reaction to growing up in a poor family in Kentucky. One summer, I was forced to help build our 40x40 garage from concrete to roof. Another summer, I helped my dad dig a basement under our house by hand. When I complained and wanted a day off, he'd have a load of wood delivered to the house and have my chop it up before I "took the rest of the day off." These days, Darrell rocks whenever I need him, whatever his name may be. :-)
I hear you about the phone call!
Hi Richard , thank you for your story. Always good to hear from you and to read your well written letters. Can't wait you being in Paris and the Sacré Coeur !
Merci, Philippe! Moi aussi!
All’s Well That Ends Well. Congratulations, Richard! You were blessed by meeting Darren. If you have a chance, tell him that one of your friends said meeting people like him is a lucky chance, and he is in the guild of heroes for me.
I will, Marina!
Those competent and efficient trades-people are gems! Glad you found one. Now, about that grease...🤭
Grease? What grease?
Lovely story. You’ve captured it beautifully, that feeling of relief knowing a competent, decent person can handle the job and charge you a reasonable fee. (We have our own Darren who helps out in our Catskills bungalow!) A really nice read, thank you Richard!
Thank you, Jennifer. Everyone needs a Darren!
Ah! the miracle of someone competent who actually shows up, fixes the problem and doesn't charge you hospital prices. I can totally relate. I admire your ability to turn the feelings associated with such an experience into a nice story to read.
Yes, Olivier, I remember you telling me about some of your encounters about the water? Heating? Cooling? At your house. I'm so glad you found it a decent story.
Nice story, Rich. We’ve all been there, and you captured the feelings of relief and gratitude well that we have when a good man comes to the house and saves our butt from some mechanical or technological problem. I hope life in LA is going well for you.
Yes, indeed, that person is a lifeline! Life in LAS is fine. I'm assuming life in France ain't too shabby!
I don't envy your situation but at least you've found a good man. And a good woman. She's the one who looked him up, right?
Yes! The piece is really about how vulnerable we are in terms of things that go wrong and how good it is to find an honest person who knows what they're doing.