It somehow doesn’t do him the justice to call Jeff McQuerry a “handyman.” I’m not sure there is a better name for him. He is a carpenter, a plumber, and yes, a handyman.

I get the sense the thing he most loves is working with wood. I guess  wood artist might be the best way to describe him.

He also loves learning about things and studying ways to build and fix them. On off days, he loves hiking and walking, and exploring the woods in his battered van.

He is his own boss.

I couldn’t do a single one of the things Jeff does every day.

When I first found Jeff on an online community forum, he did a wonderful job of replacing our ancient and leaking bathroom sink.  I’d been looking for somebody to do this for months.

This morning, he arrived at 9 a.m. to build a guard rail around the slate walkway where I’ve fallen twice.

Jeff is a key element in the Older Man’s Bedlam Farm Safety program. So far, that has meant new Merrill ice grip shoes, a heart-friendly snow blower, and in a half-hour or so, a new classy wooden guard rail.

He’s been out in the freezing cold and high wind for four hours already and refuses any kind of warm drink or shelter. He’s hardy and young. And nice and honest.

He and I trade books on spirituality and self-awareness. One of the things I love about the country is running into free spirits and outsiders who come here to build a life for themselves – like me.

I did stick my head out to say hello and I tossed him a book, Discernment by Henri Nouwen, one of my favorite spiritual writers.

I won’t get a chance to talk to Jeff today.

I’m holed up in my Covid-19 isolation at least until Monday, when I get tested at Saratoga Hospital, and possibly beyond. We’ll see if the test is negative and my symptoms gone.

I’m eager to try out the new rail those steps can be treacherous in ice and I’ve had some spectacular falls there. I mean to live on the farm till the end and that means taking safety seriously, especially in the winter.

People like Jeff are not easy to find around here. I imagine in a year or less he’ll be focusing on high-end carpentry work, which is what he wants to do, and what he should do. He just started this work a few months ago, and he’s already booked up months in advance.

Whoever raised him should be proud of themselves. He cares very much about the work he does and does it lovingly and well.  He is a pleasure to know and talk to.

Usually, I have to pay him a bit more than he charges. I know what things cost around here, and he is self-effacing and humble.

I’m grateful to Jeff for coming here on this very cold morning building a rail that needs to be grounded on slate and concrete. Lots of handymen tell me they don’t work in the cold.

It wasn’t easy to put this together. I didn’t expect one so nice. And I bet I don’t fall down again this year or next.