September 3, 2009. Western Head, N.S. Workmen.

We are very fortunate with our working people here in Queen's County, Nova Scotia.  Working hard and doing well seems to be bred in the bone.    On Sunday I left a message with Robbie that a leak seemed to have developed, coming onto the living room ceiling from the new bathroom.  The new little bathroom was installed three years ago.    His return call came in the evening, to say that by 8:30 a.m. on Monday,  he would be there.  Sure enough, he came with his helper, whistling all the while,  opened up the roof of the living room but made no mess, fixed the leak immediately, and by 10:00 he was on his way.  In 1999 Robbie was the plumber for the old house renovations and the new construction, also the work in the Carriage House and the Cottage.   Back then, he was a young man, just starting his own business.    He always tries to finds a less expensive way, and often will try to talk us out of an expensive task, such as putting the heat in the floor in the garage, and putting so many valves installed in the heating system.  He is the opposite of a shyster.  He is quick and competent.

Now I have a hole in the ceiling of the living room, so I called our builder George, who came over directly and patched the hole, all while we were at the cottage.  Today, while we were out, he came by again to  sand the patch and put on an undercoat.  Soon after the patch is completely dry, either George or his crew will paint the area,  so that soon,  the patch will be a distant memory.  It is a remarkable system.  Two phone calls and the job is complete.  No fuss and muss.  Just quiet competence.  I feel so grateful for the quality of the workmen here in Queen's County.  I always wonder whether the long time residents understand how fortunate they are with their workmen.