Wednesday, May 28, 2008

How many Baptists does it take . . .

We're slowly working down our "punch list" of things that the home inspector made as well as a couple of requests from the lady who is purchasing our house. One request she made was to move an 8 x 10 shed from point A in the front of the house beside the carport to point B in the back yard next to the "big ugly green thing". How does one move an 8 x 10 shed from point A to point B? Well, around our church family, one calls "Super Tucker". Any time there is a big, seemingling impossible task or if someone has gotten themselves into the proverbial pickle that requires the strength of Herculese to correct - we call Tucker. The "no fear" signs you see everywhere . . . they originated with Tucker. He's the one who balances on a 2 x 4 and guides the roof trusses into place. He's the one who plays Cheeta/George of the Jungle and shimmies up a 40' sand pine tree to attach a rope near the top so the tree doesn't fall the wrong way. The thing about him climbing the tree is that it wasn't attached to the ground any more. When it was cut, instead of it falling the way it was supposed to, it kind of just got stuck between two other trees and was suspended there. A good stiff wind or a squirrel positioned on just right branch would have sent the tree crashing to the ground (or on to the roof, depending on the direction it fell). That didn't stop Tucker. He shimmied up that tree (twice because he didn't get the rope high enough the first time), tied the rope, shimmied down the tree and tied the other end of the rope off to the bumper of "big green" (not to be confused with the "big ugly green thing", which is a building) his 4WD Ford pickup that is as big as a building and requires a step ladder to get into it when you are vertically challenged like me. The tree was brought down safe and sound and we all had another chapter to add to our "stupid things that no one else has the guts to do" books that we're writing about Tucker.

At any rate, when Tucker found out that we needed to move the shed, he volunteered to help. He showed up bright and early yesterday morning in "big green" hauling "old yeller" on a trailer. "Old yeller" is a tractor with all the accessories that gets used for just about everything imaginable (and sometimes things that are unimaginable). The idea was to put the fork lift attachment on to "old yeller", slide the forks under the shed and then drive the shed from the front side of the house around to the back. I went outside at one point just in time to see them lifting the shed. My husband had his head stuck under the shed to make sure it was level. "Old yeller" and Tucker started to tip one way, the shed started to tip the other way, and somehow my husband managed to get from point A to point B without his feet ever touching the ground. Don't worry - nothing fell. I don't EVEN want to think about what could have happened if those two guys hadn't prayed before they started the job! I stayed around long enough to make sure everyone/everything was OK and then came into the house and shut the blinds so I didn't have to watch any more. I guess plan B must have worked because when curiosity got the best of me, I peeked out the window and saw the shed sitting in the back yard. Judging from the ruts in the yard, I gather they attached a chain to the platform and used "old yeller" to drag the shed around to its appointed position. It took them about another 20 minutes to get the shed positioned correctly on the slab(during which time it was discovered that "old yeller's" brakes are going bad and one of our small oak trees almost made the ultimate sacrifice as a result).




After a couple of hours of hoopin' and hollerin' and breath holding and head scratching and laughing, the shed was moved, "old yeller" was loaded back on to the trailer, Tucker was on his way home behind the wheel of "big green" and the neighborhood was once again safe and quiet. PLUS, we have another chapter to add to the book!



As a post script, I have to add that come Sunday night, "Super Tucker" will be ducking into the nearest phone booth, shedding his grubby Wranglers, t-shirt and ball cap and changing into his suit and tie and black dress cowboy boots as he becomes none other than "Reverend Tucker". You see, Tucker surrendered to preach several years ago and every couple of months he fills in on a Sunday night. He preaches one powerful message infused with some pretty funny illustrations taken from "stupid things no one else has the guts to do - volumes I through 10".

12 comments:

vintage girl at heart said...

He has MANY Talents... that man does... and what a wonderful TRUE friend he is to many!!
Glad that the shed was moved with little mishap and that we all got a great story to read about out of their little backyard adventure!!!

Adrienne said...

I loved the story of Tucker and moving your shed. I could envision what will happen when my sweetheart moves our shed out to build the new one - a plan for later this summer. We may need to call on Tucker. This just goes to prove that God calls real men into His service. Men who know how to live and serve in the real world around them. Thanks for sharing this story of a man who is willing and able to help wherever and whenever he is needed. He reminds me of my sweetheart in many ways! ~Adrienne~

Unknown said...

I love this post!! Too fun. I hope! :)

And your sweet comments make me warm and fuzzy.

Bless You!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Everyone needs a Super Tucker. Get him a cape and a shirt with a capital T and watch him fly to the rescue. Love the imagery...even without the pictures.

peace~elaine

Little Penpen said...

Wow, I'm so glad Super Tucker and your hubby came out in one piece. You guys are wonderful to move the shed for the new owners. We may have denied that request. :o) It sounds like you guys are making a lot of progress and will soon be heading to Kentucky!

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Aw - I love that story! Such a good friend (and preacher!) "Super Hero Tucker - can move large sheds with a single Old Yeller!"
Colleen

Unknown said...

You have something waiting on my blog.
:)

Free Art Printables said...

Hi, I have you entered in my drawing! Thanks for stopping by! Good luck! Jen R

Rambles by Hay Hay said...

I think you have missed your calling. You should be a writer, not a transcriber! Thanks for the well wishes! I am sorry we didn't get together this weekend either, but I understand how time flys when there is a list of TO DOs! I can't wait to get my "Hay stack"!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Oh how I wish I could hear him preach! I bet he gives a wonderful message. What a good friend he is and how you will miss him.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Tucker sounds like the kind of man you need to have as a friend, on every level~!

I am glad you got your shed moved safely...One step closer to Kentucky..
Hugs,
Penny

kari and kijsa said...

Love this post! Tucker/shed mover/preacher sounds like a great guy!

Have a blessed weekend!

smiles, kari & kijsa