"This is an awesome resource. I would consider it a bible for plumbing. Very informative, easy to understand. I purchased it specifically to learn how to rough our plumbing in a new house, as well as determine plumbing needs for the new house..." Ralph Noa
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Now in PRINT or KINDLE! PLUMBING A HOUSE |
Real-Time Video Consultations
Pete the Plumber, at countless social functions, has had folks come up to him and say: ”I know doctors don’t like to be asked medical questions in these circumstances; am I safe to assume plumbers are of the same mind?” The author has never minded talking to others about plumbing issues they might have. Unless I was in their homes where they could point to their subject of inquiry, words had to be able to ‘paint the picture’ for our conversation. Now, with real-time video consulting, PtP CAN be in the home and have his attention focused visually on the question at hand.
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” |
15-Minute Video-Phone Consultation
Enough time to answer some fundamental questions.
As forementioned, with several free preparatory e-mail exchanges, fifteen minutes will take us a long way towards ‘getting to the bottom’ of a plumbing complaint. In some cases it might even be possible to perform a few of the more rudimentary everyday plumbing repairs. However, even if your question involves a future plumbing requirement, or ‘planned action’ by others, the more you know about what you face increases the odds of a successful outcome.
30-Minute Video-Phone Consultation
For addressing simple repairs.
Those who push this button will be doing so because we have arrived at a ‘battle plan’ already and both sides are prepared to ‘get your hands dirty’. You’ll be excused if an adrenaline uptick is noticeable. But, once we put your hands to work your concentration will render it forgotten. And, with ‘mission accomplished’ it will be transmuted into elation.
1-Hour Video-Phone Consultation
For addressing more challenging topics.
A full hour really opens the possibilities on what can be targeted. After our e-mail exchanges, those who push this button will have done so because the author believes the circumstances merit this time slot. It might well be that the author has already given you instructions through e-mail exchanges and you have already accomplished one or more preparatory tasks. PtP guarantees you that that full hour, to you, will seem to be over in minutes. (You will be asked to have your nutritional needs fully met before we commence.)
Pete the Plumber’s Tall Plumbing Tales For Children
All of the following stories were written to be read to little munchkins. As a father of four grown children, who read to them a zillion titles, I believe these tales are suitable for the child 3 to 5 years of age or for the already literate, 6 to 10 year old intellects. Story 1 - Pete the Plumber Goes to Work, is available for free download HERE |
2 - Pete the Plumber Meets Coco the Cockatoo - Digital Download
This second story in the series is based upon memoir. There was/is a Ms. Nancy. She was a highly paid scientist at a prestigious research institute. She did have a young daughter, Ms. Anne (violin prodigy). Pete did do a major plumbing remodel on their home. Ms. Nancy and Ms. Anne did have a sulfur crested cockatoo, named Coco. He did have ALL the perks related in the story.
During the construction Pete and Coco hung out and in time worked together; and, through trial and error the two did become BEST buddies.
This is a more sophisticated and longer tale than the inaugural Pete the Plumber Goes To Work but the author wrote it in such a way that it too is spot-on in read to mode for the 3 to 4 year old munchkin and for the literate wiseacre? 5 to 12 years.
The author’s objectives here were reinforcement of young girls’ self-confidence and self-worth, not that the tale is in any way gender exclusive.
It’s Pete’s first attempt to create an anthropomorphized character. The closing sentence will be the test. You are the jury. (8 pages)
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3 - Pete and Coco Save the Day - Digital Download
This story is also based upon memoir. There was a widowed Mrs. Hegarty (not her real name) who had three young children. They did live in a dilapidated old bungalow. They were in dire straits. Pete and Coco did ‘save their plumbing bacon’. But, Pete and Coco did not find buried pirate treasure under their house as the story relates. However, they did find a very rare object, which they dutifully reburied. This secret the author will take to the grave. (Toaster).
This tale is an attempt to instill the concepts of honesty and empathy in young minds with the sure-fire help of ‘Pirates’ and young imaginations. (7 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
4 - Pete the Plumber Meets Ollie the Octopus - Digital Download
As a youngster, Pete the Plumber had always marveled octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini). Later, in his youth, he worked at a scientific facility that studied them and got “hands on” experience interacting with them. On Cornell Grammar School field trips to the Steinhart Aquarium, he’d stand and observe the octopus and tell his teacher to leave him there and come back and get him when it was time to get back on the bus. As for the sea during youthful years, when he wasn’t swimming or diving or surfing it, he was thinking about his next visit.
The author was just as bonkers for boats, too. All boats. But especially when they were small, human- oared or paddled, or, sleek hull-of-grace, wind-powered gods. PtP wanted to write a children’s story which incorporated both octopus and boat. And, he came up with the following: Pete the Plumber Meets Ollie the Octopus. (11 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
5 - Ollie and Coco Prove Their Worth - Digital Download
In pursuit of his trade, Pete the Plumber one day found himself stuck under a building. Really. Stuck so tightly that the fire department was called to extricate him. Moving around under buildings (unfortunately) has always been an unwanted requirement for plumbers. (Oh the times the author wished he had some of Alice’s Magic Mushroom, so he could shrink and expand himself.) Reaching far flung piping could be downright odious.
Climbing ladders is another task which many times tests plumbers’ tolerance of heights. (But you need to go ‘up there’ or the job goes to another plumber.) This story was the author’s opportunity to “make believe” himself having two extraordinary assistants, which with their inherent talents, he could ‘solve’ those old nemeses.
The author also hopes the concepts of empathy and respect are spotted by the mature reader not unoften and the young listener starts building their own count and understanding of the concepts.
In this story, octopuses and cockatoos get to do what they do best, and become HERO’s. (13 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
6 - Parrot Gold - Digital Download
This story borrows a lot from memoir. It was a joy to recount. Coco did ride on my truck’s seat back. He did go under buildings. And when pressed, took to wing (but not with wished-for grace).
The second word of the title plays a prominent thread in the tale. The author, on an emergency call, one day found sprays of fine gold mixed with swirls of ‘black sand’ in white porcelain toilet tank bottoms! The author knew the Board Chair of the water utility. PtP called his office and told him that PtP had the answer to all of the utility’s financial concerns. Yours truly was invited to explain. Upon the author completing his story, the Director’s response was: “Yes, Pete, we know about the gold, but we can’t be digging up or tunneling under people’s properties to get it.”
After restoring the water service to the toilets, sinks, and showers, Pete and Coco bid his client adieu, and never made a ‘big thing’ of it, until now, in this story. (Got a gold pan or ‘rocker’)? (8 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
7 - Pete the Plumber Meets Arnold the Anteater - Digital Download
This story, featuring Arnold the Anteater, was also a joy to write because the author got to “wish” himself out of one of two occupational challenges (with the aid of a long ‘wondered-about’ mammal, the Giant anteater, Myrmecophagatridactyla).
There once was an eccentric artist, of fame, who walked his two anteaters on leashes around his city. That’s where Pete got his curiosity.
This tale also involves water and a fountain, in an imaginary park, which forms the central ‘magic’ of the story. (It so happens there are many such fountains in that city of the famous artist. His ‘Arnolds’ probably appreciated them.)
Our Arnold, on one level, was chosen for his participation in this story for the outlandish reason that children have an unfathomable acceptance of the outlandish, until they sadly begin “growing up”. (The author is a Charter Member of The Lost Boy’s Club.) In this tale anthropomorphic action returns in full bloom.
However, in this tale there is a little bit of actual desire to introduce the child to the existence of sanitary plumbing in their home. Arnold is the author’s vehicle in introducing and Illuminating this grown up world of reality, and Arnold carries the torch in this one. (12 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
8 - Pete the Plumber Doubles Arnold the Anteater’s Wage - Digital Download
Once Arnold emerged from Pete’s imagination and dealt with one of two challenges forementioned (Mr. Patzer’s Mystery), the author figured there was no reason not to keep Arnold on the payroll. Why? Especially because the author could also visualize a second accomplishment for Arnold. (Actually, Arnold’s ‘other’ talent could be especially helpful to anyone who crawls under buildings.)
Pete saw a great commercial potential for Arnold’s second ability, and to chance even acting as Arnold’s agent: book him to clean bugs from under buildings. It also occurred to the author that while Arnold was at work, PtP could be writing on a lap desk and sitting on a comfortable folding chair (until Arnold crawled up and out from under).
Many children have fears and/or concerns of what might be under their place of residence. This story should make that place less scary. (9 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
9 - Before Computers - Digital Download
This, the last of this litter, is a short tale. The author wanted to highlight the concepts appreciation and giving thanks to deserving souls. This is attempted using Coco’s many ‘office’ favors.
In this story, the author describes Pete the Plumber’s truck hosting a Rolodex (for real) fastened to the dash with ½-in. copper pipe straps and sheet metal screws, with an early version of cellular “car” phone, dash-mounted below. Pete describes to the listener/reader what a Rolodex is/was, and what it looked like, and what it was made of. He also describes its use in the cab of Pete’s truck.
Here, Pete also mentions many of the tasks and favors Coco did for Pete, without being asked, without expecting something in return. To say thank you, Pete the Plumber, Father of Four, thinks is an important concept for young children to champion. This short accounting might plant a spark. (5 pages)
Note: All digital download sales are final - no refunds
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