Friday, June 5, 2009

Men At Work

Almost half of the human population leaves the burbs every morning. While at a neighbor’s coffee klatch last week, this topic came up with the gals talking about the men who are left behind in our town - the surfer-dude swimming coach, the Australian landscaper, the hunky waste management guy. We are not desperate housewives; it’s just that a little testosterone goes a long way to even out the air. It makes me grateful for the rare glimpses of a sweaty mower man or a saw-welding contractor.

Not long ago, the doorbell rang and there were two handsome gentlemen at my door. Lo and behold, I thought I had won Publisher’s Clearinghouse. I practiced my “surprise-win face,” just in case the white van with camera crew was there to capture the moment. However, the men were from a tree service company that we commissioned to cut some dead branches from our 100-year-old oaks. The trees are close to the swing-set, near where the fox lives. Goodness, that swing-set is requiring so much attention that we may need a “(play)grounds keeper.”

The tree guys went to the back garden, strapped on harnesses, attached ropes, and hammered clamps. It was a hot, humid day that signifies DC was originally built on swampland. One of the guys was climbing the tree and I noticed he had taken his off his shirt. Influenced by my "proper" upbringing in the South, I thought it would be mannerly to take those boys a beverage. Then I immediately called a friend in the neighborhood, and invited her to join me for a viewing of the strapping lumberjacks at work. When life is giving ya lemons, make lemonade.

7 comments:

  1. hey Sizzle, as an often shirtless backyard worker, I do want to let you know that the periodic application of sunscreen is required. And with my ripped lats, it's pretty difficult to reach my lower back and shoulders. A friendly offer of help in this regard is appreciated. You may consider keeping some 30 sports sunblock handy. Just in case. Thanks for the posts. Your perspective is valuable.

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  2. Ahem, I'm pretty sure "Anonymous" above is actually your husband, Dan Bragg.

    Regardless -- I think that (appropriately) shirtless men are just a bonus of suburban living that you probably hadn't considered until now. I mean, the closest you're going to get to that in the city is a hot window washer, right?

    Keep 'em coming! Love the blog. Makes me feel like you are right here.

    Love,
    Lisa

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  3. I love Mr. Ripped Lats!

    The comment above made by "anonymous" was not my hubby. Dan was on a ship all day shooting shark week footage and hasn't even read this entry.

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  4. Bless you Ms Cyndysizzle for your polite, welcoming Southern upbringing.

    A cooling beverage on an impertinently hot day is most welcome to those of us toiling in the garden. However, I tend to remove my pants as well as my shirt when laboring hard, so as a question of etiquette, would I be still be supplied with libations under such circumstances?

    The Filthy Workman

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  5. Hmmm, Australian landscaper. He must be a pretty cool bloke. I wonder who that could be?

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  6. a long ride in an enclosed truck after a 98 degree work day (with those same hunks) and they loose their appeal...immediately.

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