Got Stones?

[Anak]

I have acquired another hobby. My body objects, but I am working on proving I still don't belong in the UOB club.


And I am helping The Varmints build character.

These blocks were old 60 years ago. They were part of a hotel that was demolished in the 1960s. I have no idea how old they were then. I love the moss and lichen growing on them.


They are going to become the side of my irrigation canal. I am hoping there are enough to take care of the entire length of the canal.


I think I have picked up about half the pile. I have done six truckloads so far. I think each load has gone over 2,000 lbs. My guess is that I am moving somewhere between 25-30,000 lbs of stone. One more excuse not to hit the gym.


Of course, The Varmints would like to have me committed at this point...

 

[David_Bricker]

A. It's too cold to be outside.
B. The stones look too heavy.
C. This is the reason why the world has mechanized equipment.


David Bricker / SYR

 

[Anak]

A. It's too cold to be outside.
B. The stones look too heavy.
C. This is the reason why the world has mechanized equipment.


David Bricker / SYR

Lamentably, believe it or not, it is not cold enough outside.

The stones are located toward the rear of a really deep lot, but I can't drive to them because the ground is not frozen solid. It would make my life much easier because then I could get a trailer back there with a lower deck height. But no, I have to go about it the hard way. No close access. No trailer. No mechanized equipment.

As to "too heavy", well, that is the challenging part, but it is a sort of challenge I like. All I need is a bit of leverage.

 

[Skwerly]

I like it. A lot. And the varmints don't know it yet, but they'll remember this forever and, eventually, fondly.

 

[Anak]

I did a lot of similar work with my dad, building creek crossings out of native stone. That involved a lot of the same labor.


My dad said the family has a long of history of making little ones out of big ones.


Might as well keep the tradition going, right?

 

[peterjford]

Make sure you save one stone for each Varmint and tell them they have to take it with them when they move.

 

[Anak]

I wonder if Varmint #1 would notice if I added one in among his power supplies, oscilloscopes and other electronic boat anchors.

 

[paulhead]

Thats cool man.

 

[scottmcneal]

Keep this up an you will belong to the UOB till you die.

They are good looking stones

 

[Bent]

Make sure you save one stone for each Varmint and tell them they have to take it with them when they move.

Give them a chisel and a hammer so they can put their names on them.
That way when the time comes they won't mix them up.

 

[Bent]

Well....they still sitting there as hostages of gravity?

 

[Anak]

Sadly, yes.

The Bride likes how they look above grade, so I need either twice as many (or more) than I have, or I need to build something below that will support them. Haven't found the answer I like yet. And I have plenty of other projects.

 

[David_Bricker]

1. It's too hot to be outside.
2. More stones still look too heavy.
3. This is the reason why the world has mechanized equipment.

David Bricker / SYR

 

[Anak]

1. It is a dry heat.
2. This is why I don't have to work out.
3. See #2.

 

[Bent]

A dry heat is still a hot heat

 

[Anak]

The actual ability to perspire makes a huge difference.

I was in SoCal a couple weeks ago picking up one of my vehicles and I was drenched in sweat. The neighbors told me I was getting lucky with the temps as it was only about 80. Today it was 100 here and much nicer than the 80 in SoCal. I will take my dry heat.

It is a dry cold too. Again it makes a real difference.

 

[David_Bricker]

The "dry heat" theory falls completely apart above around 90. Dry heat or not, you still sweat. At PSR in the summer (yes, I know, I need my head examined - blame it on my kid), I was drinking 3 gallons of water a day and never peeing. It just evaporates so fast you can't tell.

Having said all that, I will agree 80 degrees and 80% humidity is more miserable than 100 degrees and 40% humidity. Death Valley, 125 degrees and 3% humidity is not fit for man nor beast.

David Bricker / SYR