We decided to have our house sided and contracted with a local siding company to do the job. The company employs local Amish and Mennonite workmen, and they showed up today. What a great bunch of guys. They had the traditional long beards without mustaches, and plain dark clothes. They got to work right away and kept at it. The workmanship has been excellent, and as good as I could have done, if I had been willing to climb a 40 foot ladder to do that job. That is the reason we decided to hire this job out. My wife said she didn't want me to have to climb any more ladders anymore. Gotta love that woman! I made the guys a pot of coffee for lunch and they were most appreciative. We talked a bit about their lives, and I brought them upstairs to my Sewing Room and showed them the Bernina Treadle Machine conversion that did, and a couple of them said that their wives had a treadle conversion, although, not a Bernina. Probably a Janome, but they weren't sure. They were amazed that I did the sewing, and not my wife. But the fact that I built the cabinet for the sewing machine, earned enough points to offset the amount that I lost for saying I did the sewing. It is interesting to hear their dialog in Low Deutsch, which they speak among themselves. It is broken by some words that are in English that have no direct translation into that tongue. Usually regarding the measurements for cutting. The guys up on the ladder call down for special cuttings of certain pieces of siding, and the lead guy, makes the cut on a saw, and brings it over and they then put it in place. A wonderful blending of cultures, to experience firsthand. And, they are doing a good job. They should be here all week, so I will get an immersion course, in Amish work culture. I will let you know how the job turns out, but at this point I have high expectations.
John