A Day Of Progress

I woke up this morning to the sound of something loud going on above me. It is roof day! And those guys got here early, as they do. I love hearing Spanish being spoken and it was here today. I took a sneaky picture of two of the crew with Glen this morning. It reminded me of what he looks like in Mexico, surrounded by Mayan people. How many times have I seen women giggling behind a hand to their mouth at the sight of him? "Muy alto!" say the men. Children just recoil in amazement. I hope it's amazement. It could be horror. 

Those guys got ON IT! Sheets of metal kept hitting the ground with a huge rattling smack. They know what they're doing and they don't fuck around with it. 

I took a very nice walk this morning. Not too far but the temperature was in the very low eighties and you cannot imagine what a difference that makes. Oh! I just really enjoyed it. I took a picture of these beauties as I do every year when they bloom.

And every year I have to look up the name. Cypress vine. Or, better yet- cardinal vine. Such perfect little scarlet stars. 

I broke my walk up into two different parts, going first about .6 miles to the west which is almost to No Man Lord's house, then turning around and passing my house and continuing on to walk the shadier streets of Lloyd. I got this picture of the guys working on the front of the house. 

I do believe it's standing just a little bit taller, a little bit straighter already, feeling the love of a new roof. As a real estate agent told us years and years ago- if you keep a good roof on your house, you'll be okay. I believe that. 

And now. Oh dear. A house which has not had a new roof since it was built, most likely. 

The fally-down house. It seems now to be leaning backwards more than it was, as if it was settling into a comfortable position to relax and finally let go. Why am I so fascinated with this house? Because of the stories it whispers to itself, I think. Because of the wallpaper that is still visible inside showing that at one point, someone did very much appreciate those walls and perhaps loving them as I love the walls of my own house. 

When I got home, the crew was all sitting outside in a circle, eating their lunch and then it appeared that it was siesta time. One guy was literally sleeping on a sheet of wood, another was looking at his phone. I'm not sure where the other men were but I would not be surprised if some of them were also asleep. I know how this goes from observing working crews in Mexico. They do indeed take a siesta during the hottest part of the day but then they work hours into the night and here it is, almost 6:00 p.m. and they are still working. 

I challenge anyone who says that the people who come to this country from the countries south of here aren't some of the hardest working people in the world. Definitely in this part of the world. 

After my own lunch and relaxation time, I got some more planting done. Not all of it. But I planted a row of turnip seeds and a row of mesclun, doing it correctly according to Mr. Moon, by turning up shovels full of dirt before planting to loosen the soil to allow the roots to grow more easily. 

It's coming along. I'll have it all in soon. I just need to plant a row of kale, another of mesclun, and one of the Bibb lettuce. Maybe another row of carrots, too, this year. They seem to grow well here, at least the heirloom ones do. 

And then, when I was turning the sprinklers off, look what I found. 

The arugula that I planted on Saturday, a mere two days ago, is already breaking ground. Those tiny ear leaves are so small that unless you knew exactly what you were looking for, you would never see them but there they were, with more on both rows. 
And this is why I love the fall garden. 

The men are putting things away, taking care of equipment, packing up. I wonder how long it will take to get the job done? For some reason, I am not annoyed by the noise. Perhaps merely because I am so happy that we are getting this done. We have had a few leaks under the eaves in the hallway and the library and so it is absolutely time. I want no fally down house of my own. I am grateful we are able to do this. I am grateful for the way this day has gone. I even got in a little bit of mending and some laundry and have made a loaf of bread which is rising to go with our supper. I have felt strong and not in so much pain today. Perhaps it is all due to the weather and if that is true, I will take it. I will take it as long as it lasts. 

Love...Ms. Moon