The Work of a Craftsman

In part because of rainy weather, the Mexican workers did not return to continue the project in front of my house until yesterday.  There were Raimundo, who was here previously and who is the skilled craftsman, and a different fellow as his assistant.   Luis, who was doing the lifting and carrying, is the husband of Raimundo's niece.  (In Spanish there is a term for a "nephew-in-law".  Luis is Raimundo's "sobrino político".)

Last week they had built a border of "faux" stone blocks across the length of the house.  Now they are putting in a pathway of pavers next to it.  I am again very impressed with Raimundo's meticulous work.  A base of sand was put down and leveled, and then each paving stone was carefully placed with Raimundo taking great pains to be sure that each one was straight and level.  It was slow work.  They were here all day, but only about three quarters of the walkway was completed.  However, I am very pleased with their work.  When the pathway is completed they will then put a border along the other side of it.

I spent the day working on the flower beds back of the house, but every so often I would come around to the front, look at the progress, express my admiration for their work, and briefly chat with them in Spanish.  We joked about Ohio weather.  Raimundo was up here when we had the April snow storm.  I asked them if they miss Mexican food.  Raimundo said that they go to the Mexican supermarket where I occasionally shop, and that they cook for themselves.  However, he misses hand-made tortillas, and most of all he misses having dinner with his family.