On Sunday afternoon, a young man that lives about a half mile away knocked on our door. He and his friend like to come over and go out into the pasture and pet the cows and goats. They like to help gather eggs. Belle loves those boys and jumps all over them. From time to time, they'll ask if we have any work to be done and tell us they are trying to make money. I appreciate their work ethic. The last time, I asked them what they were saving money for and they told me, "Christmas presents for our family." I thought that was noble. We usually do everything and don't need any work done, but I always try to figure out something for them to do.
It was only one of the boys at the door on Sunday and when he asked if I had any work, I told him to give me a couple of days to think about some jobs. He came knocking again today. I like the perseverance and persistence. I put him to work with a pitchfork loading up wagons of mulch to move out near the potato patch in the side yard. I want to fill up the area between the potato patch and the muscadines so I don't have to mow there and I'll eventually plant melons there when the mulch decomposes and turns to rich topsoil. The young man got busy...
He told me that he is an athlete and in good shape, but he was winded and sweating a lot. He took a little break. Then he told me he wished he had brought some water. It was then I realized what a lousy employer I am. I'm running a literal sweat shop. I went in and brought him out some ice water and we talked. He told me he likes football. I told him I appreciate his willingness to work and asked him what he was saving his money for. He told me he didn't know.
About that time some people stopped in to buy some raw honey. They saw our sign out on the road. We visited and they asked many questions about the bees and homesteading. They have chickens and want to get more into it. They bought and paid for a pint jar of honey for $10 and said they'd be back for more. I added that if they brought back their empty jar, I'd take it back as a deposit and the next jar would be only $9.
My hard-working employee passed by with another wagon load of mulch. He told me he was rushing since he was running out of daylight and wanted to finish the job. He'd been at it for an hour.
He was running with that wagon. I complimented him on his energy. He dumped his last load of mulch and finished the job. He was proud of his accomplishment. He is not the sort of guy who believes that farm labor is beneath him. He's not too proud to work. I appreciate that. Sort of gives you hope for the next generation.
He came to me to collect his wages. I went inside to get some cash, but before going in, he stopped me and said, "Sir, I figured out what I'm saving my money for." "What is that?" I said. He told me, "I want to trade my labor for a jar of your honey." Then he added, "I like to buy local!!" That made me belly laugh. I went inside and told Tricia what he said. She laughed, too. I brought him a pint jar of honey. Tricia told me to slip him a $5 bill, too. He smiled real big. He's gonna make it big one day.
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