Working with the Amish presents some new challenges. Since they have no phones or way of communicating, they usually show up abruptly; there is no preparation.

The first warning is the dog’s frantic barking.

Then we see a beautiful thing – the proud head of a horse – sailing past a window and towards the big barn.

The second sound is some whinnying as the horse gets tied to a fence pole by the barn. I expected Mahlon’s brother to be on the advance power scraping team, but he was busy so Mahlon himself showed up.

Mahlon is Moise’s tall, strong and competent nephew.

Mahlon is 21 now, which means he can keep any money he makes. He will stay with his family on their farm, but he can do his own work.

He arrived with Tapper, a beautiful horse who bonded with Zinnia (who doesn’t?). I have to say Tapper is one of the most beautiful horses I’ve yet seen. anywhere.

I’ve noticed that the young Amish men see their horses as more than tools. They are very proud of them. They love me photographing the horses; they always ask for prints,  the horse’s coats are brushed and shiny, and their hooves are neatly trimmed.

Mahlon will chat with me after his work is done, but not before. He is funny and smart.

He set up a power washer and attached it to two of our garden hoses.

He went to the bathroom out in the pasture (he declined to come into the house, the Amish workers will rarely come into an English customer’s house.)

Mahlon pulled a ladder out of the buggy, and there was no small talk or bragging. I put a water bottle on his ladder, took some photos (my house, my rules, no faces), and went inside. When he’s working, he’s all business.

He was up on the roof and walking up there in a flash, power spraying the peeling paint. We were both shocked to hear the bell ringing on the roof (the one the farm wives used to announce lunch).

I don’t think anyone in the more than 250 years history of the house ever washed that bell.

It was power washed this evening. Later, Mahlon asked if I would consider selling it; he said he’d been looking for one for years. He said he saw it was dirty inside; he couldn’t resist washing it (photo above).

I doubt Maria would let it go; she loves that bell.

Mahlon said he would finish power spraying the house tonight.  And he did.

This means that on the next dry day (after three days of sunshine), he will come with another buggy and power spray the house with its new sky blue color.

All three dogs shot out the front door when the carriage came in. Bud raced to the horse buggy, barked several times at  Tapper, who moved slightly and turned his head, and Bud had had enough; he rushed back into the house, no fool.

Bud seemed shocked that the horse didn’t run away, but he wasn’t looking for trouble once he looked up to see the size of the horse. This was no mole or chipmunk.

My dogs are all different.

Fate rushed outside and ran and through Tapper’s legs towards the gate – she hoped to get to the sheep and completely ignom not sure she even saw him.completely ignored the horse

Zinnia walked slowly to Tapper’s side, tail wagging. She approached the horse carefully, and Tapper turned his head to see her. She stopped, then came forward.

A few minutes later, she was walking in front of him; If Zinnia were any calmer, she’d be dead. They are friends.

We got an estimate on painting that was so low we thought it was a mistake. I’m still not quite sure.

There is another thing that makes it hard to work with the Amish. They work so hard and continuously that I always feel lazy and worthless around them.

When Mahlon arrived, I was sitting quietly in the living room reading. All hell broke loose. I felt like I should be laying bricks or something.

Mahlon power sprayed the house in less time than I take writing a blog post or watering the garden. To be friends with the Amish requires me to remind myself that I am not lazy; I am just different. I don’t want to work every minute of the day, and if I tried to do it, I’d be dead in a few days.

When he was done, Tapper balked at walking past my car, which was parked in the driveway.

Mahlon had a small cropping stick, he leaned forward and tapped Tapper lightly on the right haunch, and he went forward.

He was confident, calm, and sure, and the horse clearly trusted him.

I’m getting used to the way they work. It’s always an inspiration to watch them work and see what human beings can accomplish with their own skill and drive.

When the house is painted – rain is in the forecast for days, almost to the end of  August – we’ll hope for better weather. Maybe Mahlow can make the sun come out.

I wouldn’t be surprised. When we hear the whinny and the dogs bark, we’ll know it’s time.