I'm working in those new houses I told you about.The three people working in this one house are all named Rob.This has worked out great.One Rob is the carpenter putting in the cabinets and stairs.He's alright for the most part although he is a little cranky first thing in the morning.

He started to tell me how the woodwork in these houses was sold as "blonde maple" to the prospective buyers.I laughed because there is no such thing as blonde maple.Maple is native to Vermont and the cheepest wood available is the real reason.I told him what they should say is "every piece of blonde maple is handpicked by our expert craftsmen."He made reference to people from Connecticut being gullible and I didn't render an arguement even though I was born there."I tend to think they just had no reason not to believe it was anything other than as stated.

It reminded me of the summer I worked with these two old gentlemen carpenters.Junie and Carl Sr. wore white work aprons and everything that came out of their mouths was suspect of not being true.They loved to kid around all the time.I think that played a big part in why I do it.

One day,Junie was hanging a door and the Mrs. Homeowner (in Connecticut by the way)came in and noticed he was sliding a matchbook cover under the door hinge.She asked how come he was doing that.Junie replied that it was a "squeek pad" and would ensure that the door wouldn't squeek like some doors do.She thought this was just the greatest thing in the world and thanked him for the extra effort and then left the room.He winked at me and said "always have a reason for the things you are doing".The reality was he had mortised the door hinge a little too deeply and used it to shim it to the proper depth.He and Carl Sr. were pretty quick witted guys and it was a good learning experience for sure. I could just imagine Mrs. H. telling her friends that her carpenters put squeek pads on all of the doors.I think Ill start wearing a white work apron from now on to carry on this great tradition.