Shingles (The Roof Kind)

Photo by Austin Walker on Unsplash

A shingle from our roof blew off in a storm.

Replacing it is easy.

I just need to nail a new shingle into place and apply sealant.

I watched a few YouTube videos to make sure I got it right.

The problem is actually getting on the roof.

Emmerson wrote:

“ … every man ought to stand in primary relations with the work of the world, ought to do it himself, and not to suffer the accident of his having a purse in his pocket, or his having been bred to some dishonorable and injurious craft, to sever him from those duties …”

And so I climb the ladder and step onto the roof.

There’s no traction.

My foot slips.

I almost fall.

Somehow I get down intact.

But shaken.

Not being able to replace a shingle makes me feel very un-manly.

Such is life.