Two new roofs! And a near-empty piggy bank

                               RESAWN SHAKES - Not my house, but the same color/texture shingles

Wednesday: Email from Pat to Dot: . . . BTW, the shingles for the new roof just arrived and the work will be done—done! tomorrow. And I’ll be thousands of dollars poorer. But won’t the house and shed look wonderful???

Wednesday: Second email from Pat to Dot: The crew begins work outside my bedroom windows at seven in the morning. I’ve set the alarm for six. I wonder if I’ll be able to nap tomorrow—somewhere, either the living room sofa or Billy’s room, or where? The boss came by tonight with the contract and left with my check for half the job. I’m anticipating extra charges for rotted wood in places on both the house and the shed. But, yes, no more leaks on my watch.

Thursday morning: Third email from Pat to Dot: Just now went out to take phone photos and found tarpaper and shingles in my front and side flower beds—hydrangeas beat down—one broke off. I got into the beds and then one of the crew came to assist. Also got into my front beds and he came behind me and found more stuff. The boss had told me they would put down tarps. But they didn’t cover the beds, alas. I promised son Eric I’d stay outta their way but when my plants are in trouble, out I go. Neither Gabby, the bilingual woman, nor the boss, is around. On the other side of the house, the iris, and yarrow (in the patio) were weighted down with the same debris. I got outta there right before the roofer threw down pieces of rotted wood. Guess I’ll stay inside now.

Thursday, 6 p.m. Email to son Eric: New roof is on both buildings . . . but they are the “resawn shakes.” S. said hardly anyone uses the white ones any more as they are susceptible to black lines (?) after minor wear. S. had to buy 5-6 sheets of “decking” (plywood) for the shed. It looked like the entire overhang was replaced.

                Their air compressor is still running, and the cords are still attached to the front porch outlet. They took down the shepherds’ hooks and only put one back. I had to tell the guy with the magnetic nail sweeper by gestures that I backed the car beside the tree and pulled out around, and would he magnetize the route. He did. I went to the curve of the old driveway to retrieve a piece of packaging and found a large sliver of rotted wood closer in. The wind was pretty blowsy at times.

                 I napped on the sofa with the ceiling fan on high speed. I did sleep, even with the pinging of the nailing going on. Pulled a throw from the cedar chest for cover. Even kept my shoes and socks on. Guess I was tired, huh?

Email to son Eric, Thursday 7:30 p.m.: I’ve either misplaced or lost the mattock and the shears that were on top of the trash bin earlier. The shears disappeared first, then the mattock. I called myself emptying the bin down to what I’d just put in from the wagon. Didn’t see it. Might check again tomorrow. But they’d knocked over the tricycle by the abelia and everything was on the ground.

                I’ve a bunch of complaints tomorrow when S. asks for extra $$. Don’t know if the workers finished or just quit for the day. S. will have to order some special siding for up under the north dormer. He & Jeff looked in the shed at the stored siding, but didn’t see any like they needed. Wonder if the crew will be back in the morning.

                They finished up and I paid two-grand-plus extra. Whew and sigh.

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