I have this, now huge, triple-trunked birch tree in the front yard.
Several times a year a couple of fellows w/a p-up will stop and offer to trim it for me.
Point here is - it was like 7 degrees, windy, apparent -8,
yesterday when a fellow rang the doorbell asking to trim that tree. I cannot imagine trying to subsist by working in that weather! And this fellow did not look like he'd grown up north of Miami!
I stood there trying to think of a way to pay him $20 - that wouldn't insult him w/ charity.
(In my 30 yrs with the county - I worked outside on many very cold days. But I had my county Silverado idling warmly nearby, secure in an 8 hr paid day of work with full vacation and pd sick days, seniority.....and a pension!)
"We like the tree the way it is - but would you be able to scrape our driveway for $20?" (one lane, 2 car lengths long)
He said he didn't have a shovel.
"I do!"
I opened the garage door and presented him with two sawbucks and a selection of three shovels!
I looked out later. The shovel was leaning against the garage door, and he had shoveled our sidewalk too. We live on a corner lot - with a long sidewalk!
I've hired guys who've come to my door several times. (Famously - a fine new roof - a complete tear-off - for my $250 deductible!)
There was a trimmer once, who asked if his men could urinate out back in our shrubs. "Ahh, no.... ."
Even so, they've all done good work.
The other day was a sad morning because my daughter and I went to the dog shelter to drop off dog food, dog treats and dog medicine to the county dog shelter. Our little gal died on Xmas day. My daughter wanted to cheer us both up so she suggested we try
"Scout's", the new coffee shop downtown. We had a nice talk, again, about the 10 good yrs we had with our pup.
An hour later she stopped into a new little lady's shop - while I wandered up the street. It was cold and windy.
I found this parked here (by the sign seen 'round the world a year ago). A few minutes later a tall black gentleman followed us out of the coffee shop and put his cup in the cart. My daughter noticed that he had brought his own tea bag and cup, and seemed to be known by the workers. I greeted him. He seemed friendly. I asked, "Are you doing OK, able to stay warm?"
He said, "Oh yes, the Salvation Army is open today and....."
He went on to give me the most up-beat 5 minute talk on life I've heard in some time. It wasn't that he cheered me up - but he made me feel much better about things.
I asked him if I could help him out a little. So, I did.
My daughter came along. As we walked, she asked are you doing OK Pops?
I chuckled, pointing to the man pushing his cart up the street. "Yeah, actually, thanks to my friend over there."
She said, "that homeless man?"
Yep.
Stig
