A MANLY TRADE

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

there are many different types of stone-masonry. I am a rubble mason and ashlar mason as needed.

Rubble: When roughly dressed stones are laid in mortar the result is rubble masonry. Only hand tools are used (hammer & chisel) to square or dress these stones.

when I use a skill saw with diamond blade to cut hearths and mantles for fireplaces this would be Ashlar masonry.

I took an unconventional path into this trade. Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas has no shortage of Quarries and retail stone-yards. The demand for moss coated surface stone, makes anyone with a rocky spot of land and a truck able to load up and make a few extra dollars, without the need for equipment, licenses and the overhead associated with a quarry.I didn’t have a spot of land with rocks on it, but knew people who did. I ask permission from them and started hauling stone to the local yards to sell by the ton. It quickly became obvious I could not haul enough to make a good living. I found a trailer made from and old Jeep pick-up bed for $75. It had both coil and leaf springs and could be loaded with 2 tons.I still was not making enough but was scraping by. I was increasing my network into this community, as I got to know the owners of the quarries and stone-yards. Some offered me jobs because they knew someone who is willing to gather large stones in the hot summer heat braving spiders, scorpions and snakes would make easy work of stacking pallets in a quarry. They paid $8 per pallet at that time. I had a flat tire one day, changed it and was getting it repaired. The man at the shop handed me a piece of paper with the name of a stonemason. told me he was in need of some stone. I filled his request for ten tons and made 3 times the money I would have at the retail stone yards. Both of us did better than expected by cutting out the middle man. To shorten this story up, 5 weeks later I became this mans helper. That is how I learned this trade. Maybe why to this day I loath middlemen, or those who provide little value or usefulness but still expect a cut. The modern day staffing agencies come to mind.

The maintenance scheduled for masonry work is as follows: step back so as to get a better look at what you have built, and say “Damn that looks good”  repeat as necessary. Anyone can take a picture of some stonework  and lay claim to it so I get photos during the process.  My work will be standing long after I am dead, but very few people will know or remember much about who built it. This is why I am writing so much now, I believe my grandchildren will find more value in my words than in pictures of stonework I did. I feel confident enough to validate myself. Am I seeking validation from others or is it just pride in my work?

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

 

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[Solid SnakeParticipant 255]

F~~~ing epic work man, thats fantastic I haven’t seen anything like that before.

Keep up the good work and keep throwing up photos.

[experiencedParticipant]

You are a true artist.

00:47

 

"It seems like there's times a body gets struck down so low, there ain't a power on earth that can ever bring him up again. Seems like something inside dies so he don't even want to get up again. But he does."

[Big Viking Chef BVCParticipant 1286]

Yes, an artist indeed.  Nice damn work!  My mother’s father and brothers were all brick layers and masons.  Danish boys that cemented most of northern Saskatchewan.

Cheers Harpomason.

Swallow this RED PILL ===> Men will lay down their lives for their brothers, their women and their children. This makes Men useful as slaves. Women will lay down their lives for ONLY their children. To expect more from women is just a FANTASY created by society and reinforced by the unconditional love that we experienced from our Mothers. The key to freedom is the understanding that the woman you meet is not going to fantastically love you like your Mother did. If you buy into the fantasy, then she is your new master. If you do not buy into the fantasy, then she is nothing, and you retain your freedom.

[Anonymous 42]

Restored Cushman Truckster, now Towtruckster,

Hydronic floor heat (thermal mass)…

Some of my stone work can be seen on the left of driveway. The “NO FLY” was for the birds that kept killing themselves hitting the window. Three dead and one injured before I figured it out….

4,000+ sq. ft. Central VT.

My neighborhood in Vermont after the flood, it changed me, Seeing hundreds of people standing in line for basic necessities teaches you to be grateful…

My 71 AMX Z 401 go package.

T-10 4 speed rebuild…

Dust covered from long storage, needs cleaning….

My friend’s 68 XR7 GT 390

My friend’s 68 XR7 GTE 427 side oilier….

My latest project, 1950 MG TD, dormant since 1963, total restoration including OEM parts. (original equipment manufactured) I had to tool up in BSW (British Standard Whitworth) taps, dies, and tools.

That’s enough for now, one wrong click, and I lose everything…..

 

 

[Author]

Posts