Journal: Sunday, April 30, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Orley and Bonnie left yesterday and already we miss them. Their personalities added a cheer and a charm that brightened up an otherwise not so inviting atmosphere. They were, in my mind, the best part of the group dynamics because they were positive, joyful, encouraging and fun. Orley has a personality that really can’t be authentically duplicated. He is loud, but not obnoxious. His Orleyisms, as I call them, became predictable, but nevertheless funny. "I am the man!" "It’s Friday!" "It’s my birthday!" Orleyisms in themselves are not funny, but when delivered Orley style clear out of the blue, they are. Even going to Lowes with Orley is an adventure. His winsomness when interacting with store personnel just adds a levity and joy to the task. In a few brief moments he had the checkout clerk’s testimony of salvation and encouraged her for this restoration time.
When Orley is working, he keeps it light and positive even when the work is downright discouraging. We were continuing the work at Agnes Cherry’s house. That’s the house I described last Thursday. He had been working there for a week before I began to help. We sheetrocked two bedrooms with the help of some teenage boys. Some of the boys were quite able, but the two that spent the most time with us had no aptitude. Nevertheless, Orley made them feel good about helping. We put in laminate flooring, but before we could do one of the rooms, the underlayment had to be ripped out because we detected mold. Orley decided to do that while I painted since he doesn’t like painting. He got the raw end of the deal because the quarter inch luan was nailed every six inches and was very difficult to get up. He persisted, removing only inches at a time, using a flat bar on his hands and knees since the shovel wouldn’t work with all the nails. I’m not sure which was worse, the arduous removal or the bad air caused by mold and old dust. Even with a mask he must have breathed in too much crud. He is still hacking days later. Not many old guys could have kept at it like he did. He is at least my age and probably older, but he runs and bikes every day. I admire him for that alone.
I have been continuing the work on Agnes’ house, but it’s not as much fun without Orley. Fortunately, I am now doing trim work and that is fun for me. I have to say that little dumpy house is taking on a new look and it’s pretty good. When all the work by all the people that have been contributing is added up, it’s pretty impressive and Agnes is a lucky lady. If only she knew how to show her gratitude. Even Orley was discouraged by the fact that she never said "Thanks."
Orley and Bonnie left yesterday and already we miss them. Their personalities added a cheer and a charm that brightened up an otherwise not so inviting atmosphere. They were, in my mind, the best part of the group dynamics because they were positive, joyful, encouraging and fun. Orley has a personality that really can’t be authentically duplicated. He is loud, but not obnoxious. His Orleyisms, as I call them, became predictable, but nevertheless funny. "I am the man!" "It’s Friday!" "It’s my birthday!" Orleyisms in themselves are not funny, but when delivered Orley style clear out of the blue, they are. Even going to Lowes with Orley is an adventure. His winsomness when interacting with store personnel just adds a levity and joy to the task. In a few brief moments he had the checkout clerk’s testimony of salvation and encouraged her for this restoration time.
When Orley is working, he keeps it light and positive even when the work is downright discouraging. We were continuing the work at Agnes Cherry’s house. That’s the house I described last Thursday. He had been working there for a week before I began to help. We sheetrocked two bedrooms with the help of some teenage boys. Some of the boys were quite able, but the two that spent the most time with us had no aptitude. Nevertheless, Orley made them feel good about helping. We put in laminate flooring, but before we could do one of the rooms, the underlayment had to be ripped out because we detected mold. Orley decided to do that while I painted since he doesn’t like painting. He got the raw end of the deal because the quarter inch luan was nailed every six inches and was very difficult to get up. He persisted, removing only inches at a time, using a flat bar on his hands and knees since the shovel wouldn’t work with all the nails. I’m not sure which was worse, the arduous removal or the bad air caused by mold and old dust. Even with a mask he must have breathed in too much crud. He is still hacking days later. Not many old guys could have kept at it like he did. He is at least my age and probably older, but he runs and bikes every day. I admire him for that alone.
I have been continuing the work on Agnes’ house, but it’s not as much fun without Orley. Fortunately, I am now doing trim work and that is fun for me. I have to say that little dumpy house is taking on a new look and it’s pretty good. When all the work by all the people that have been contributing is added up, it’s pretty impressive and Agnes is a lucky lady. If only she knew how to show her gratitude. Even Orley was discouraged by the fact that she never said "Thanks."
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