Stones really know how to Keep in Shape

 Unlike humans, stones, even if they hang around doing nothing, don't get out of shape too quickly. In order to keep their shape, they vehemently resist the forces of time and weathering, and the various forms of mechanical tampering that men have come up with through the ages. Yes, in the end they might sometimes have too submit to crushers and the indignities of huge splitting and sawing machines. But I suspect, if they had their way, if they had their choice, they'd like to be appreciated for the shapes they come in, the way God made them. An authentic dry stone waller, if he's being true to the nature of the material he is gathering, tries not to change the shape of the stones he's been called upon to use. A little chipping here and there, a splitting by hand, of larger  (overweight?) stones is acceptable. Generally however, if not exactly what is needed, the shapes they come in, almost always suggest how they could become 'fit' enough, with just a little human coaxing (coaching?), and only by 'exercising' enough restraint on our part.

Make no Mistake

 Sometimes rocks look like food - a melon perhaps , a loaf of bread, eggs, candies, chocolate or popcorn.

We need the inner nourishment of stone. For those of us who love stones and rocks, it's not something we can do without. Thankfully there is usually enough produce along the road side that we can get our fill. Sometimes it's a pick your own operation. Our eyes may often be bigger than our vehicles, though. 

Quarries are like big rock grocery stores. We can pickup all kinds of 'produce' there and bring it fresh to our garden. I've always said that a garden without stones is like a BLT with out the bacon.

Unlike food, stones are always in season and never go off. They never over-ripen or become soggy. Leftovers are always useful and often worth keeping around indefinitely until you can use them with other grains and scraps, in some sort of dry stone combo. 

Mushrooms are my favourite.  They pop up everywhere, and look good to eat even in winter. They're best on top of walls. The thing is, none of these rock/foods will make you sick. You can't make a mistake.You can always identifying it's a 'rock' even if you don't know what type it is. And really, if you think about it, they are all magical!

 

 

Reflecting on/under Bridges

 

Two Types 0f Stones

Sometimes it feels like there are only two types of stones.

Landscapers here in Canada often use something called 'Armour Stone' to do terracing and retaining walls. These are much bigger 'freezer sized' stones than we like to use. They don't need to be that big to hold back the soil. 

The word 'armour' makes it sound like they are at war. When you see all the heavy equipment they use to put them in, and the saws, drills, and sometimes grinders and other powerful weapons, it does look like a bit of a battlefield until they are done. 

Dry stone wallers are not at war. Many of us love what we do. We love each other too,
The stones we use could well be called 'Amour' stones. Oui?

Still Thinking we are not over Thinking yet.