3Ps in Action: The Italian Voicemail

My dad always wished he was Italian. So much so, he wanted to name me Giuseppe before they settled on Joe. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t help but be drawn to the voicemail I got yesterday from an older Italian gentleman. Based on his voice, I’d guess early 80s. He’s looking to have a stone wall rebuilt.

It sounds like a promising opportunity.

Client: charming.
Project: a stone wall fifteen minutes from my house. After a string of long-distance job sites, that feels heaven sent.
Price: TBD. If that aligns, it’s a go.

Well, almost. There’s one sticking point.

He already has a wall on the property. It’s falling down. And when I rebuild it, he’s very adamant that I use as much mortar as humanly possible.

I get it. It’s a common misconception. If I weren’t trained in the art and craft of dry stone walling, and I saw a wall that was failing, I’d probably think the same thing. Isn’t mortar what holds all the rocks together?

I didn’t protest on the phone. I just listened.

But when I meet him tomorrow, I’m going to do my best to explain why a properly built dry-laid wall is often the strongest, most lasting solution.

And then we’ll see if he’s willing to trust me with the work.