Big Job Done

Thursday morning at the computer: I turn to my right and spy a Tim's coffee cup — on the other side of the screening, if you please.

I was amused, for I hadn't noticed one of the roofers placing it there for safekeeping. If he had only known me and my predilection for Tim's coffee, he might have chosen differently, but I'll have you know that I did desist from nabbing it. The even funnier thing is that when I looked again it was gone. Obviously, he was a very stealthy roofer which of course is exactly what we all expect of roofers — to have ballerina-like twinkle toes. Admit it, you've always pictured roofers in their big safety books as being light on their feet and dancing on the rooftops.

While I had already been out to greet them, it was about time to check again. The ladders were up . . . 

. . . and the boys were beginning to get to work.

It took me some editing to bring out that ↑ much colour on a dull day, and I figured that I may be editing most of the day's pics in mono silhouette style. As it eventuated, I was pretty well right about that.

The boys were primarily going to be working at the back first, so we walked around the lengthy block where I got these images.

I really wanted to watch the boom truck unloading, so I made sure that I was back out front at the propitious time. I took video mostly of the loading of the pallet to the roof, and for the present, I now can't be bothered with them since they would require editing to trim to a reasonable length, so I'll just show one photo of the truck in our driveway.

I did grab a few photos of the men guiding the shingles pallet.

Then, of course, the typical thing happened. It poured, and they all went home early. I won't elaborate now, for I have done so before, but this is how my life tends to go. We'd hired the roofers almost two months ago or at least began the process then, so surely, we were doing it right. It's been hot and dry here lately, just perfect for laying shingles. But oh no, not so fast, old AC, we need to rain on your silly, little parade.

While they were up there, it poured. It wasn't just a passing shower either. Definitely not! It was the beginning of the whole rainy afternoon and a kind of continuation of my weird little life. At least no one was struck by lightning, and they did get the tar paper down on the one section that they had begun.

They returned on Friday and took all day to finish the job — about 12 hours. I was feeling a bit sorry for them, but they said that they are used to those hours. They seemed diligent and even fastidious about doing a good job. Hopefully. our somewhat exposed roof will be secure for many years. The former roof never did seem secure, and we experienced blowoffs a number of times.