Stephenson Family Ties

I think I could walk
through the simmering sand
if I held your hand;
I think I could swim
the skin shivering sea
if you would accompany me.
And run in ragged, windy heights,
climb rugged rocks
and walk on air:
I think I could do anything at all
if you were there.
by:Karla Kuskin

I NEED a home improvement project!!
It seems like its been forever since we've enjoyed the bonding experience that only a substantial project can do.
(planting tomatoes doesn't count!)

I have one in mind.

I dont think it'll cost too much.
But it will be a LOT of work!!
Its also imperative that this project be done.
Its been looming in the recesses of my mind for quite a while now.

And now that the temps are finally rising and little piggies and big naked toes are going to be a dominant feature in my yard....

IT IS TIME!!!

This is how I envision it going.
(we'll ask the 'Builders" opinion later.)

First- I go to the B.L.M. (Bureau of Land Management) and seek their permission to go out in the middle of nowhere-about 45 minutes or less from here- and find the designated location where its permissible to break our backs loading slate from the desert on to a flat-bed trailer (thanks Scott and Mark!) Paying a very nominal fee for the privilege.


Next- we bring the beautiful red slabs of rock home with us, to the back yard, to the back patio.


(Here's where it may seem a bit nebulous for a layman such as myself.....but here it goes...)


I'll have made a trip to the local home improvement store and will have located the best, most powerful super sticky glue/grout that has ever be made. I KNOW THEY MAKE SOME!!
And I will also have found some cushy knee pads.

Then it'll be time for a tall, cold Pepsi.

Then I'll pick a distant corner of the patio and begin laying down hunks of rock in a beautiful, rustic pattern. (cant you see it now?)

I'll then flutter my big blues at my brilliant Builder and know that he can figure out the perfect method for finishing off the edges.

After the super-glue dries-the cracks will be filled in with a color coordinated grout that will look perfect against our blue sky and green grass and aqua-marine pool.

It'll then be time for another ice cold Pepsi.

Undoubtedly we wont get enough sandstone the first time, so we'll take another drive out by Zions way, for another load of desert strata.

And do some more!!!

THEN-



VOILA'

No more kiddies falling and cracking their heads and tail bones after exiting the pool!! No more grown ups-mostly myself- flailing around on our slick wet cement!! No threat of a broken hip!!

PLUS

I'll have a little more of the desert in my own backyard!!!

Come on Babe! Lets give it a try!!
Its my heart desire and.....

what else will we do with our empty nest this summer!!!!????