The Grove at Sunrise

 The plumber arrived early this morning.  He was here to fix the hot water feed to the washing machine.  His evaluation of the situation: put in new valves for both the hot & cold.  Easier & faster if he could cut another hole in the laundry room's sheetrock for better access (the washer will be in front of the access hole so that was an easy "yes").   Best of all he said I could watch him work. I "learned something that I didn't know before that I'll want to remember for a long long time" (family joke).   First he shut off the hot water and cold water feeds in the utility room.  I followed behind marking those w/ ID tags.  Sure, anyone can follow the exposed pipes in the utility room but this way the color coded ID's are an immediate indication.  He brought out a cordless tube expander that will temporarily expand the internal diameter of PEX tubing.   He explained PEX wants to go back to it's original diameter but for a brief time after expanding it you can couple pieces together.  As the tubing contracts it creates a water tight seal.  In between teaching moments we engaged in what passes as polite Northwoods small talk.  He saw a nice looking doe at the corner before my house.  His trail cam had picked up a bobcat.  I said I've seen bobcat prints in the snow but never the animal.  Had I hooked up my snowplow yet?  No, have a snowplow guy.  Could use another warm day so I can wash the outside windows.  He had completed everything in about a half hour's time and was on his way.  I'm relieved to have a reliable plumber's name/number to put in my contact list.