Frank was a recovering drug addict and a dealer. He sold just enough meth to be able to use. He was likely one of the smartest people I've ever met, which makes me wish that I knew him before the drugs. The guy had put so much up his nose that he could put a cloth up one nostril and pull it out of the other one. He got busted one day, and quit cold turkey. He quit using and drinking and when I met him, he had almost quit cigarettes. I'm pretty sure he accomplished that goal shortly after the last time that I saw him.
Although my time hanging out with Janny was limited, I learned a bit from his stories of using and trimming. Mostly I realized that humans have will power. Frank took responsibility for his past, and, more importantly, for his present and future.
Janny took his tree trimming very seriously, and held onto a reputation for being the best. I asked him one time how he got over the heights and waving a chain-saw around while dangling up-side down. He laughed from the top of a beautiful white oak and looked down and said, "Kid. After 30 feet it doesn't matter." That's the kind of guy he was. Common sense. I'll never forget watching him be fearless as he flung his saw around dropping limbs in the exact spots he wanted to. Frank is an artist, and he knows it.
I doubt I'll ever see him again. I knew him for 90 days.
I love this!
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