I always plant seeds in an area that borders the dog corral. Well, I shouldn’t really use the word ‘always.’ I did it last year and I did it again this year. I started off using some seeds sent to me by my friend Nola, but after a few weeks, I realized the seeds were no longer viable. So I had to go out and buy some more.
The end result is that this little strip of garden didn’t bloom until late in the summer. But the zinnias are now tall and strong and are blooming. Some are springing up in my planters. I didn’t plant any seeds there, so I think I have our bird friends to thank for that little surprise. And the morning glory that I planted looks like it has buds. Finally. I so hope they open while I’m home.
We had big thunderstorms yesterday. In between them, Don went up on the lower part of the roof and tried to determine how to climb up to the upper roof to wrap the lower portion of the chimney with a tarp. Our ladder isn’t that tall, so getting up to that portion of the roof is tricky. We went next door and borrowed our neighbor’s long extension ladder. But we soon realized it was too rickety and neither of us felt right about using it. The whole thing felt very risky and we didn’t think Don should attempt it. Meanwhile, more rain was due.
We called the local guys who have worked on our chimney in the past and who came by a few weeks ago to check out the flashing. They are really busy this time of year and were going to send us an estimate of what the repair might cost. In the meantime, they put some caulk around the flashing – which, in Sunday’s heavy rains, didn’t work. Anyway, to make what is becoming a long story short, knowing it was Labor Day, Don expected to leave a message but one of the guys answered the phone. Don explained that we didn’t have the right kind of ladder, that the caulking wasn’t working, that we needed to wrap a tarp around the chimney and could they come help us out? An hour or so later, in the pouring rain, on a holiday, one of the guys came over, donned rain pants and a slicker and climbed up there. He wrapped the chimney in about 5 minutes.
All he asked for was a cup of coffee.
When Don said “Let us pay you,” he said he lives by the Golden Rule. That you help out someone in need. And, in turn, someday you will be helped out.
This business is family owned and it’s local. And they’ve been generous with us before, allowing us to pay off a repair in monthly payments. Why? Because we’re part of the same community and they believe in helping others.
I have to say that we feel blessed. We still have to repair the leak, whether it’s from the flashing or the masonry on the chimney, but we know we are in good hands. How often do we come across businesses like theirs in this day and age?
They are truly good people.
So it was a crazy day yesterday. But good, as well.
Also blooming: some seeds I planted in the planter by the kitchen door. These were also from Nola, but they were still viable. I wasn’t sure what they were until I did some research. Four O’Clocks.
My girl is in the ‘tunnel.’ It’s nice to be home.
Have you encountered a similar situation with a local business? One that practices the Golden Rule?
Happy Tuesday.
Those are the very reasons why I like to use a local business whenever possible.
A few years ago our furnace quit working. ON a weekend. The forecast was for below 0 temps, and much snow. We called anyway and someone actually answered. A crew of 2 guys came out. The furnace had to be ordered, but they promised to be back ASAP. One of them came back a few hours later with space heaters. When the furnace came in it was snowing to beat the devil, on top of the 8 + inches we already had. They guys came out anyway. We live 22 miles from town, and they came out in a blizzard! Yep, it pays to use local when possible.
Our furnace guy is the same way, Trudy. Last year when our burner/boiler/whatever you call it bit the dust, they did the same thing. Space heaters, calling to check on us, working long hours the next day to install it. Great guys on your end and mine!
How wonderful for you and Don, Claudia. We used to run a business and our motto that was framed and hung on our wall was “A Golden Rule Company”. It served us well for many years and I kind of miss those days sometimes. I hope your chimney is not too costly to repair. Your flowers are lovely- xo Diana
Me too, Diana. I hope its a relatively easy fix. Someday it will have to be rebuilt, I think. But please not now! Your company sounds like my kind of company, Diana!
Yes, we’ve encountered the same thing along the way. I’m thinking this is done more so, when the business is small and local…I could be wrong. All I know is that whenever a kindness like that happened, it was always at our time of great need. So, when things got better…we paid it forward. Isn’t that one of the cornerstones of a life well spent? ;)
Yes it is, Donna. Absolutely.
I have an air condition man I’ve been using for years since he first started out He’s been so good to us. Bless that mans’ heart for going up there in the pouring rain. And I love their attitude. So nice to experience in this day and age, isn’t it? I’m happy you got to come home for a few days. Life in the tunnel is a good thing!
They came back today to adjust the tarp!
Hi Claudia!! What a blessing! I had the same thing happen….a few weeks before Christmas the heater in my car stopped working. I took it to a mechanic to see how much it would cost to repair….he did his auto repair magic and didn’t charge me a dime! There are still wonderful businesses and people out there, thank goodness!! xoxo
It warms my heart, for sure!
Claudia,
So glad that you were able to have a professional repair the chimney and can now focus on enjoying the next couple of days with your little family. We have good luck with small businesses because they are run by individuals and not large corporations. When ever the opportunity arises, we always recommend these businesses to our neighbors and friends and we ask our neighbors and friends for recommendations too.
Vanessa
Well, it’s not repaired yet but at least it’s protected and that’s a good thing!
Hi claudia, Oh, so happy you got to go home! YAY!!! And what a great story (not that your chimney is leaking, but what wonderful people you have to work on it). So glad Don did not venture up that ladder. Your flowers look lovely. Our loosestrife is just beginning to fade…September is here for sure. Hope your week is a good one. PS Am halfway through “the Beautiful Mystery” — really enjoying it. Thanks again for the recommendation of Louise Penny. I will be checking out her other books (hopefully in order).
So glad you’re enjoying The Beautiful Mystery!
We are also truly blessed because our church members keep check on each other. Hubs has dug so many holes to help with the irrigation for members I can’t even count. He’s cut trees down, picked fruit, sits with a man who had a stroke so his wife can go to the store or library, dug ditches, fixed pipes, hauled water and so many things I can’t even count. And THAT has truly blessed us for helping out others. A friend who has a major church calling reminded me recently that she remembers reading somewhere by one of our church leaders that service isn’t always convenient. I try to remember that when I’m bellyaching about making another cake to take in. But service can also be just a phone call to cheer someone up. I’ve done that many times by prompting from the Spirit. My hubby still leads me in this service area by far! He truly is a giant when it comes to service.
xoxo,
Connie
Your church member family is such a giving group of people, Connie! And so are you and your husband.
That’s the wonderful thing about dealing with real people in a local business. It may cost a little more on occasion but you know they are there for you when trouble comes your way!
That’s right. Our furnace guy is the same way. I feel so very fortunate to know them.
We were given an electic dryer when we moved into our home 23 yrs. ago. It was used only about a year or two before we got it and it worked wonderfully for many years. When we started having problems with it we called a local appliance repair shop not knowing what to expect. They fixed it and for an amazingly low fee. I was so impressed I sent them a Thank You card. About a month ago our 11 yr. old van needed some repair work so we took it to a young man who works out of a shop at his home. He put on a new serpentine belt and a water pump for much less than we ever thought it would cost. We felt so blessed. When something needs to be repaired it’s usually when funds are low but it always works out. So glad you got to go home for a few days Claudia!
Me too, Janie. I love hearing about your local appliance and auto repair specialists. They sound like wonderful people.
My morning glories are just blooming too they are so late this year. Glad to hear you have a temporary fix on the leak.
I’m crossing my fingers that some sort of bloom appears before I go back on Friday.
I LOVE four o’clocks. You shouldn’t ever have to reseed them – at least I never did. And I hear you about the Golden Rule. I live in a small town and the people I encounter like that not only have my business for life but better word-of-mouth advertising than money can buy ;). My plumber made super early calls the day of my Dad’s funeral and again on the morning of my daughter’s wedding. I was in a real fix and they knew it. How happy I was to be dealing with compassionate people!
Me too, my friend. It makes all the difference in the world.
I’m so happy to hear that there are still people like this in the world Claudia! When someone does something nice for me I always try to pay it forward..
Always a good idea, Nancy!
What a great man! I always appreciate when businesses act in that manner. …you are blest. It’s nice to know there are still people out there like that.
Blessings, Joanne
Hi Claudia – I know just how you feel. Our furnace died in the middle of winter and our furnace company is locally owned but very very busy. My sister-in-law’s family owns a construction company and couldn’t get them to come and install furnaces in their new subdivision because they were too busy. BUT I had been able to help them out, go that extra mile as a government employee (I always tried to give 125%) and karma really works. When I bought a house and needed inspections and some work done, I called Violet as she was the only person I knew in that business. I didn’t know she was doing me a big favour at the time but they’ve always had someone here quickly and when the furnace died in the winter, one of the guys spent a Sunday (his daughter’s birthday) trying to get it going. No luck but they were there at 8 am on Monday morning installing new one.
By the way, I just finished watching “Who Do You Think You Are?” and I don’t know if you get it (on TLC here) but next Tuesday is Jim Parsons family. Really looking forward to that. Big Bang is my favourite TV show. J
I love this story! It’s so nice to hear good news for a change – that there’s still some genuinely nice people out there. Last time we had a plumbing problem, our guy came out on Sunday morning even though it’s technically his day off. It wasn’t even an emergency. We really appreciated his kindess.
Oops! *kindness
That is wonderful to hear ! :)
How great to have that community spirit – some service people are really awesome and make one realize there is goodness out there when life seems impossible at times. I’ve had some lovely men (gosh that sounds all wrong perhaps!) fix things for us – especially as the aging process makes things such as climbing ladders really tough. I’m so glad you too have good people around and I hope your leak is repaired before the Winter arrives Claudia.
Hugs – Mary
Yes we did have something similar happen to us recently. Before we moved to Texas I sold my Mom’s house without a real estate agent. We used a friend who is an attorney to handle the legal paperwork for us. Pete was wonderful. Walked me through each step since I had never done this on my own before and David was in Texas already. After the house closed we asked him for his bill. He said “No charge”. We told him that this was business and that we were happy to pay him for his hard work. He just responded with “Think of it as my going away gift to you both”. The kindness and goodness we pass on to others is remembered always. I am happy that you had the same experience and know that you will pass it on. Glad you are back at home in your darling cottage with your loving family.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley