So I decided to add a brick patio bordered in river rock to the end of that brick-and-river-rock Path To Nowhere I built for the hell of it a couple days ago. I began around noon, and finished around 6 p.m. It involved bagging up what must easily be 500 pounds of cleared greenery, hauling upwards of 300 bricks and another 60 or so river rocks, and then figuring out how to put it all together so it only looked like a quarter-assed job, at worst.
Here’s the before during and after shots:
What that doesn’t show you is how much time went into me rubbing most of the bricks together to get rid of thick old mortar. What that also doesn’t show you is that several times I had to pull up the bricks because since it wasn’t a matter of geometry and architecture and instead it was just a matter of setting them down on the bare ground and crossing my fingers, they didn’t necessarily want to cooperate.
I didn’t blame the bricks. They’ve been stuck in a pile under a loquat tree for close to seven years. The ones that ended up being used were just damn happy to get some fresh air and sunshine and have a purpose again after all that time. “We’re a dang patio!” they yelled in unison. That’s right bricks. I couldn’t have done it without ya. I was just glad to put them to use as much as I was glad to finish the job.
But speaking of finishing, let me tell you… when I have to do extended physical stuff I’m fine as long as I keep moving and doing. But I’m about 45 minutes done and everything is freaking balking. My back, my neck, my arms, my legs, my ass. Even my fingernails hurt. What the hell’s up with that? Oh well, nothing four ibuprofen and a hot shower can’t reduce a more manageable level.
Follow