yard guys

hallellujah - it's rainin' yard boys - Amen

And so what if their average age is 13. This crew of 5 is transforming my jungle like overgrown and wild property bit by bit, lil' red wagon full by lil' red wagon full. Mama's thrilled. I saw the hand drawn poster on the grocery store bulletin board Saturday and called the number that same day. Ajay's mom answered and I had an idea that her son might be a high school student looking for some extra money. Ajay himself called me back several hours later and I was instantly tres impressed with his confident, self assured, can-do spirit. He asked me at the end of the conversation Did my Mom tell you how old I am ? I replied No, how old are you ? He told me - 12. Hey ! Pas problem I replied. No age discrimination here at 29 Black Street 'cause Mama desperately needs some help.

They were here Sunday, after lunch for two hours - the full weekend crew of 5, avec their lil' red wagon to carry equipment - a high powered whipper snipper, rakes, etc. A petite swarm of boys bustled around my yard cleaning and weeding, raking and hauling dead branches and yard debris to the giant compost pile and mouse condominium that's been building in our back forest. Sigh. At one point I noticed through the window two of them racing toward my front door. Oh No I thought, my heart beginning to beat faster One of them has cut themselves or is hurt somehow. But no they just wanted to show me, and give to me for safe keeping, an unbroken Robin's egg that they'd found on the ground. Kind and sensitive yard boys - sigh - be still my heart. They proceeded to give me detailed instructions on how to care for this beautiful blue egg until they were ready to leave and they would then take the egg with them. I needed to warm the egg up first with warm (but not too warm) water and then make a nest of paper towels and place the nest under a lamp. I used my luxo lamp - which was perfect. While the egg was warming up in a small tupperware container filled with warm water I watched it closely, the egg was rocking ever so gently. I wondered if this was because of a heart beat and I so wished I had a wee stethoscope.

The boss man Ajay stopped by at lunch yesterday, on his bike, just to let me know that the crew would back that day as soon as school was out. And sure enough they showed up at 3:30 sharp ready to work. They already have big plans and visions for our big expanse of property. I heard Matt say that they were discussing at school what their afternoon plan of action would be when they arrived here at Black Street. I'm hoping that this Saturday I'll work outside with them for a bit and I'll make us a picnic lunch. Egg salad sandwiches wrapped up in waxed paper, chocolate chip cookies and some chocolate milk. All boys love chocolate milk. It's a big part of why I don't do as much yard work as I should - I'd so much rather have company while doing it.

You know early Sunday morning I was on the big ol' hunt for Hope, I couldn't find her anywhere ... it's the funny thing about life - you just never know what's around that very next corner or what kinda crazy getup Hope's gonna be wearin' next.


I made them a proper poster to hang up around our little village