09 27 05

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1338dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Harvey Lacey</B></FONT><B>   |   </B><A HREF="public_html.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harvey Lacey"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>back to  </B><A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keeping character, or restoring a pond "><U><B>Keeping character, or restoring a pond </B></U></A><B> |  </B><A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whats New"><U><B>What's New</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1338dfc3.jpg"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="650" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="ROWS" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca180e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 95 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="95" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> It was a good day.</div> <bR> <div> After lunch we had a shower come through. As we were hunkering down under the eave of the greenhouse I had to wonder what a hundred percent chance shower would be like if a twenty percenter was a frog-strangler. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca280e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 75 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="75" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> I decided to cut in the terrace area along the north wall today.</div> <bR> <div> It was interesting to say the least. The mini-hoe doesn't have the greatest reach so at first I tried doing it by going in straight down and putting down the blade as an anchor. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca380e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> The biggest problem doing it this way was my wussiness was running almost dead even with my machoiness.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca480e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 114 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="114" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> Common sense and pure fear ganged up on macho tendancies and I decided to cut in a level cut to facillitate digging out the terrace.</div> <bR> <div> The Toro truckster is a hoss. We hauled about fifteen yards of spoil to an area we need to fill. It's got posi, dual range-three speed transmission and just enough umph to get you into trouble if you're not careful. And it dumps.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca580e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> Of course we didn't overload it. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca680e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 151 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="151" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> Without cutting in a road to the terrace I can't cut in the beam for the wall that's going in around it. However, since I'm cutting it to desired grade we'll hand dig the beam when we get to that aspect of the work.</div> <bR> <div> I'll bring the concrete in from the bottom with Iris and deposit it in a wheelbarrow on the terrace. That way they can put it where it goes without too much trouble.</div> <bR> <div> I'm about seventy percent done with the mini-hoe's part on this terrace. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca780e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> The guys worked on laying the base courses on the south wall by the old spillway while I was slaving in the weather with the mini-hoe. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca880e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 188 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="188" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> They're not too happy about me bringing in a bunch of masons to knock out the block work. But there's more than enough work for us to do without spending a week laying block.</div> <bR> <div> We do want to lay the base course for sure though.</div> <bR> <div> Hopefully when I get to the job in the morning my washout supplier will have dropped me off at least three loads on top under the trees.</div> <bR> <div> The last thing this evening we had six yards of masonary sand come in. We should be set for the block laying aspect of this job. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ca980e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> In a couple of weeks you'll be standing here on the south terrace looking across at the north side terrace.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="caa80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 94 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="94" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> I didn't take any pictures yesterday. But we started putting in the rest of the twelve inch blocks.</div> <bR> <div> We finished them up today.</div> <bR> <div> Here's a shot from the front of the greenhouse looking out over the pond. </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cab80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 415 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="415" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> Those blocks are eights that are going to be installed starting tomorrow.</div> <bR> <div> We mixed up five yards this evening to grout in the cavities in the twelves. We didn't make a dent in what needs to be done. I've got two pallets (70 bags) waiting at HD for me to pick up in the morning. We'll probably go through forty of them finishing the grouting.</div> <bR> <div> But we do have enough of a head start that the masons can start the eights behind us. There'll be four courses (32 inches) of eights to add to the height.</div> <bR> <div> Here's a shot from the north side looking south at the new spillway. </div> <bR> <div> It doesn't seem like it's been that long since I put an update online. </div> <bR> <div> Almost all the blocks are in place. I was on site this morning but I didn't take any pictures. This weekend I was working on the posts and slab for our north Texas get together this weekend, the twenty fourth. And today and tomorrow I'm working at the factory who makes our connectors for the building getting out enough inventory to do the barn raising that's part of our get together.</div> <bR> <div> Saturday a crew finished putting up all the block we had on hand. Today a crew started prepping the flat stones for mounting along the wall. Hopefully when I get back on site Wednesday we'll have a ton of great pictures to share. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cac80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 95 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="95" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> They're saying Rita might give us six inches of rain Sunday. That could cause the pond to fill. We're operating on that premise. Longer days, more laborers, concentrating on doing what has to be done from the floor of the pond.</div> <bR> <div> Of course working under that pressure will cause some problems. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cad80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> It was getting dark. I was doing this. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cae80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 169 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="169" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> One of our concerns is the strength of the wall when full of water. I don't believe the concrete, steel, and Halite blocks are enough by themselves to hold back six feet of water.</div> <bR> <div> So we're backfilling behind the wall with stabil fill (washout).</div> <bR> <div> The path was narrow. And as I spun back around after dumping the bank gave away. I was able to keep spinning causing us to face the pond bottom instead of rolling.</div> <bR> <div> This is what it looks like behind the wall before backfilling. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="caf80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> This might give you some perspective of what we're doing. The man walking along the pathway is over six feet tall (it's the homeowner). </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb080e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> This is a shot of what the wall of the pond just below and above the water line will look like. The static water level will be about the middle of the rock pattern. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb180e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 75 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="75" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> The first thing this morning will of course to get Iris unstuck. I just left her in the dark last night. I was tired and I still had to take the men home before I headed that way myself.</div> <bR> <div> Some tasks are better done with a clear head and a fresh attitude. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 381 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="381" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb2f4770.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="375" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 264 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="264" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> Actually we got there this morning and evidently she'd had enough ponding.</div> <bR> <div> Because when I tried getting her out she did more than her fair share. It didn't take two minutes and she was a bucking and roaring for work.</div> <bR> <div> I believe one of the most gratifying things a person can do is share a dream and watch others take the dream places one never thought about.</div> <bR> <div> This has happened on the stone work on the wall. The day laborers evidently aren't used to being just turned loose with a concept and allowed to run with it. They were tentative at first, a little unsure of just what and how. But once they got on a roll they developed their own system and pattern and for me it was like a proud papa on graduation day.</div> <bR> <div> Here's their start. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb380e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 264 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="264" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> It was a great day. We all have days. Some are just days. Some are good ones. But every now and then we have great ones.</div> <bR> <div> Great doesn't necessarily mean easy. In fact difficulty is probably one of the basic criteria for greatness.</div> <bR> <div> I picked up two day laborers today who didn't work out. Right after lunch we parted ways. Keeping them on the job insulted the other laborers who were carrying their fair share. Their ways insulted me and my job. And it demeaned themselves, something they have every right to do, just not in my presence.</div> <bR> <div> Then there was the flat on the tractor. </div> <bR> <div> But when you look at the big picture, it was a great day. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb480e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 75 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="75" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> They got all that done without my help. I made some suggestions on style but they laid it out and finished it based up their ideas of what it should look like.</div> <bR> <div> I was busy backfilling behind the wall and making sure it was leveled out and power tamped. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 381 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="381" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb5f4770.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="375" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 359 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="359" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> Here's a shot of their system. The rocks were drilled and rebar stubs expoxied in Monday and Tuesday while I was working on the brackets for the building connectors.</div> <bR> <div> They figure out where they want the rock. They mark where the stub contacts the block wall. They drill a hole in the block. Then using a rubber mallet they drive the stub and stone into place.</div> <bR> <div> Two of the guys follow applying concrete. We're using portland cement and a pea gravel-sand mix. I got the pea-mix (sand and pea gravel mixed at the plant) for the grouting of the wall. The guys suggested using it for the wall and man they were right.</div> <bR> <div> The first guy concentrates on getting material in and around the stones. The second guy adds material, layering if you will.</div> <bR> <div> Following them by about fifteen minutes it a guy with a piece of wood to scrape the excess material away from the stone and smooth out the appearance.</div> <bR> <div> The fourth guy has a wire brush in one hand and a wisk broom in the other. He's the difference between good and fine. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb680e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> It's amazing what a little pride and craftsmanship can do, isn't it? </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb780e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> The water line will be about the middle of the stone section of the wall. That way you'll see stones above the water and in the water. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 486 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="486" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="cb980e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 433 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="433" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="639"><div> We are not trying to keep the water in. Our concern is keeping the clay-dirt out.</div> <bR> <div> We have a dirt/clay basin. Our wall is about defining that basin by inserting a barrier to keep the dirt/clay out of the basin.</div> <bR> <div> Here in north Texas we have some of most expansive (clay) soils on earth. A friend of mine has his home on a slight elevation (we have no hills or mountains, best we got is slight elevations). His elevation varies six inches between the dry and wet seasons.</div> <bR> <div> It's because of that I placed the stable fill behind the wall. Not to strength the wall so much from the water as to keep the expansion/contraction of the soil from breaking the wall.</div> <bR> <div> Our Halite blocks are for all practical purposes forms for the concrete. We have a retaining wall that has water on one side and soil on the other.</div> <bR> <div> I hope this answers your questions. If it hasn't please speak up. Just between you and me your questions have probably been statements by some who didn't have the whatevers to speak up publicly.</div> <bR> <div> We are going to seal the stonework btw. But that's more about appearances than integrity at this point in time. </div> <bR> <div> This is a shot of the north wall's work they accomplished today. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 56 WIDTH="0"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="56" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="0" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="09 27 052"><U>Click here to go the the next page</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keeping character, or restoring a pond "><U>Click here to go back to Page 1 of Keeping character, or restoring a pond</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whats New"><U>Back to What's New</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>