Repairing/re-building this raised patio that our stone path leads to, we were going to build dry stone steps. But then I’m looking at it and thinking no, let’s do a ramp. The existing patio is a few thousand square feet, and already has like 4 or five different sets of dry stone steps. What, am I going to build a 6th set of steps? It would just have made the older steps look poor by comparison and wouldn’t do anything to increase wheel chair access. Plus, we build plenty of steps, we’re about due for a ramp. Viva la differance`, as they say in France.
The steel hand rail is set into 3 boulders.
Unadorned and basic for now, there may be some custom artistic touches being fabricated right now.
You know I was almost the artist-in-steel guy, instead of artist-in-stone
I was working as a welder, back in 2002 when I first decided to start my own contracting business. The plan was to do functional steel work….but also work in some artistry, create some functional art–in steel. By the time I as ready to start my business in 2007, I’d already returned to stone. My first love, my truest love.
In a month or so, I’ll visit this property again, and I’ll have some custom fabricated ornamental pieces to add to the hand rail. I always suspected steel would return to my life, at some point, when the time was right. Things tend to come around full circle, in good time.
I’ve never seen a hand rail set into boulders like this, but I’ve had the notion in mind, for some years now. Sometimes an idea waits–until the right time comes.
Rock cairn right next to the dry stone ramp and hand rail.
With water offering, for butterflies and bees.
We had extra stone, and the garden needed a cairn. The top most stone is naturally bowl shaped and holds about 7 ounces of water, for beneficial insects during the dry months of July and August. This garden space was over run with poison ivy and invasive stiltgrass, but also had some mugwort and wild raspberry, which we left. Mugwort can be considered invasive too–and you will find vast swaths of the stuff. However, I love this plant, it can easily be managed and it’s worth the effort.
A tea made from muwort will increase vividness of dreams, and will increase dream recall.
In ancient Roman times it was believed that placing a sprig of mugwort in your sandal would give you the stamina to walk all day. Often, I’ll tuck a couple of leaves into the heel of my Romanesque sandals. Okay, fine, I’m actually wearing socks and work boots. Anyway, it’s hard to tell if this increases my stamina, I’m already indefatigable. But the dream business is undoubted, the stuff works.
Related content: stone dots
Stone seating area in front of the sauna, at the other end of the path.
We’ll be adding a bistro tables and chairs, soon enough.
Geodesic dome in the woods.
Private yoga studio in the woods, with no bugs.
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