When my 50-year-old kitchen cabinets were falling off their hinges and my linoleum floor was rotted down to the floorboards, not to mention a stove that caught on fire on a regular basis, I knew it was time to renovate my kitchen. I interviewed about a dozen carpenters and didn't like any of them. One even told me that it would be impossible to install cabinets because of a problem with the wall. That's when Alex's good friend Gerry suggested I call Alex. And am I ever grateful I did. Not only was he a master craftsman, he became a good friend as well. Alex worked with precision, and care, and was meticulous and creative. And he listened to NPR all day. Who ever heard of a carpenter who listens to NPR? But that was Alex. He entertained us with stories about turtles and nature. When he had to travel to Florida for his mother-in-law's funeral in the middle of our job, he worked on weekends so we wouldn't be without a kitchen for too long. Thanks to Alex, we had a beautiful kitchen that we enjoyed for six years. And he made it possible for me to sell my co-op and move to the home of my dreams in upstate NY, in the small town of Pawling where Alex used to visit on turtle expeditions. Most people can't wait to see the end of their contractors. I hear horror stories from everyone I know. I was sad when our kitchen was finished because I knew I wouldn't see Alex on a daily basis unless I lured him back with the promise of a Scrabble game. I wish that Alex could see my new home but I know his spirit is lurking about, free as the turtles he loved so much.