We have a new and very excellent handyman.
His name is Mike and I’m not offering his last name because the last time I did that, our very excellent handyman got booked up for months ahead.
Mike is equally gifted and reasonable and he will quickly get to that point, but I’m being selfish, we want to hang onto him for as long as we can. So I’m not showing his face yet or giving out his full name.
Bud adores Mike and worked alongside of him this morning.
Our kitchen sink pipe started leaking and I called Mike at 9 a.m. By 9:45 he was her to fix it. He had a couple of trips to make to the hardware store and was gone by 10:45.
He wanted to charge $75 for three hours of work plus new pipes, and I said that wasn’t enough, I paid him more than that, I know what professional plumbers charge for house calls if you can reach them at all.
It is a nightmare around here to find a plumber when you need one. We’ve spent lots of hours in frantic searching.
It sometimes takes days for a callback, most don’t call back at all.
We have all kinds of work for Mike to do, and he is happy to do all of them. I hope to keep this secret through the summer at least.
Around here, people like Mike don’t stay anonymous for long.
Bud is crazy about Mike and follows him around. He was fascinated by Mike’s plumbing work and watched closely the whole time he worked on the sink.
The sink is working fine, and I’m very happy to know Mike.
Good trades folk can be hard to find! I can understand wanting to keep him close to your chest for now. Dog lovers are also special.
I love that Bud was watching Mike at work. My horse Reanna used to love watching the guys at my farm fix things. She would stand as close as Bud watching everything, totally fascinated.
As always, a good man is hard to find.
Frances Hart-James, You cracked me up, totally! Thank you
Jon…
When it comes to fixit, my abilities quickly reach their limits. So, I try to assemble a reliable network of repair specialists. As you understand, good repairperson is a valuable asset. As they work, I observe closely and ask questions. (I’m sure they don’t appreciate that.)
But when Bud completes his apprenticeship, perhaps you could give him a shot.
Finding tradespeople seems a common theme everywhere. While staying at two B&B’s in the south run by women, they were having an awful time connecting with tradespeople. One’s giant house had sustained roof damage from a hail storm and everyone she called hadn’t even called her back. She was getting frantic. I go through the same thing you mention Jon. Getting a repair person for about anything is no small task. I wonder if Bud was involved in the trades in a pass life. Really like this picture.
JON …. Good Idea to keep Mike a secret for now, because the Handyman who installed your steps and railing did such a FANTASTIC job he has enough work to keep him going. Thanks To Your Blog! You, and your good deeds, reach So Many people who need other Good People! Thank You!
I think Bud isn’t the only one that’s crazy about Mike! Haha! And I agree with you, good handymen are hard to find and a treasure worth hanging onto!