Chim Chimney, Chim Chimney, Chim Chim Cheree!

An acquaintance of mine recently had the top of his chimney catch on fire. Something to do with buildup in the top of it.

Every four years or so, a company that makes money getting the buildup out of the top of chimneys leaves us a postcard reminding us it's time to do that.

Well, those two events happened close enough together for me to call the chimney cleaning company straightaway. We set up an appointment for yesterday. The company called and asked if they could come a little early as they were ahead of schedule to which it was no problem for us. Not long after that we get a knock on the front door.

I opened it and was greeted by the chimney sweep...

...WEARING A TOP HAT AND THOSE GLOVES WITH THE FINGERTIPS CUT OUT AND A DARK COAT!!!!

Just like in the movies!

Kid2 and I were loving that surreal moment. I mean, you were expecting a worker to come in and maybe even be friendly and all that, but we got a full-blown Mary Poppins chimney sweep in the middle of the afternoon!

He was friendly, and he gave out magnets with his company logo and gave us all sorts of chimney preventative maintenance tips. And, sure, he discarded the top hat and gloves with the fingertips cut out and dark coat to get to work. And, sure, he had a super powerful vacuum rather than some wimpy broom.

But I gotta tell ya, seeing a friendly chimney sweep dressed like the ones in the movies will liven up the afternoon. Even if it's just a bit he's doing, it's a really good bit.