An Erector Set For Grownups

We happened to be walking by just when the crew was getting ready to move that enormous metal beam from the black flatbed truck to the top of the house. It was an elegant thing to watch. One guy secured a sling to the beam, and then up it went. Although he did belay it with a long rope, I'm still not sure what kept it from swinging wildly as it went up. He was, after all, just one guy with a leash. But up it went, easy as pie, and the very best part was how it fit exactly where it was supposed to go, precisely capping the vertical supports in the front and back of the house. I felt like cheering when it was in place, but the guys were all so no big deal, all in a day's work, that I would have embarrassed us all with my antics. They balance up there on tall ladders, thin beams, and bouncing boards, with a native choreography that is breathtaking.