I was talking to a co-worker the other day about the 70 flags I just bought for the flag service we’ll be starting in a little over a week.  Here’s how our conversation went:

Bob: “You’re not planning to pound in that piece of rebar for every house, are you?”

Me: “Well, yeeeeah.  How else do you do it??”

Bob: “John, John, John…  We’ve been doing this in our neighborhood for many years now.  Let me tell you how it’s done!”

Me: (anxiously awaiting to be schooled on the tricks of this trade)

Bob: “Get a landscaper in your neighborhood to help you insert a pvc sleeve into every subscriber’s lawn.  Then each time you perform your service, all your boys need to do is sliiiiiiide the flagpole into its sleeve….. Quick ‘n easy!  You guys will have each flag service done in no time.”

Me: “Hmmmm, I LIKE IT!”

Bob: “Just think – no pounding in rebar and waking up your neighbors at the crack of dawn eight times a year.  They’ll apprecaite you for it – trust me!”

Me: “…and it’s cheaper than the cost of 70 pieces of rebar.”

Bob: “Exactly!  Now go return that rebar and get your landscaper lined up.”

So now I have a few more things to add to my “To Do” list.  However, it is very easy to see that the effort spent up-front inserting these sleeves is well worth the time and hassle saved throughout the year.  I’m all about simplifying the process and eliminating one more piece of equipment to coordinate, manage and keep track of.

See also:

Flag Service Problems and Solutions, part 1
Flag Service Problems and Solutions, part 2
Flag Service Problems and Solutions, part 3