Stepping it up.

I know I go on about not using heavy machines and wonder why people don't work enough with stone using a more hands-on approach. Contractors seem to like to keep their distance from big stones and move them around at 'arms length' without considering the benefits of getting to know them more personally.

It occurred to me to take a more positive approach today and share a short clip about moving a big stone.

This is a big chunk of flag stone that got lifted on to the roof of the dry stone tool shed we completed last fall. The limestone slab must have been about 120 lbs. I got it onto the roof and into place without any help.

I used scaffolding and maneuvered the stone up on to boards pivoting the stone on edge up each board until it reached the top one. I jumped down to take photos at each stage to document of the process. I know it's not a great feat. And I know I could have done it easier with help. However it was a rewarding little exercise. It got the job done without bringing in a machine and more importantly it was another opportunity to enjoy 'thinking with my hands'. By the time I got the big flagstone slab up there I knew a lot about it and how best to make use of its shape and size on the roof.