That Rocks

Luke has a strange fascination with rocks. Sam and I have laughed together over this, shaking our heads in wonderment. Where do kids get such weird attractions from?

Um, it would be from his mother.

I love rocks, but not just any old rocks. Big rocks. Flat rocks. Rocks that can be used for purpose. I am incredibly fortunate in that the small piece of land we got from my parents' farm is one of the many rock collection sites we had. After plowing fields in the spring, new rocks crop up as if they were growing there all winter. I never liked walking behind the wagon, bending and lifting to stack rocks onto the flatbed, only to have to offload them somewhere out of the way. Who knew, all these years later, that I'd be grateful for those castoffs?

I've done this:



And this:



And this that we started last spring and haven't finished yet:



And this was one of my first projects:



And don't forget this, that was dismantled and is awaiting a fresh start:



Part of the reason we have projects that are begun but not finished is that we're running out of rocks. No, really, we are. I've exhausted most of the supply of large and flat, leaving normal useless rocks lay in the woods. But I have struck gold. I took the boys to a local golf driving range over the weekend, and there was a heap of rocks there. Upon inquiry, I learned that they are for sale at the bargain basement price of a quarter each.

Be still my beating heart.

Today I bought rocks. I would like to tell you that I'm ashamed of this fact, but I'm too excited. I bought rocks, and they're beautiful and large and flat. I am in love. I can finish the grill surround, and the stepping stones out to the trampoline, and the pond waterfall... Oh, the possibilities.

I love rocks.

13 comments:

CanadianMama said...

I am so jealous! I LOVE rocks and they are hard to come by here, seriously!
I love all of your rock work - looks great!

Karen Deborah said...

that is totally cool! what a DEAL!!!

the planet of janet said...

just look at what you can do!

you are a rock star!

Andrea said...

I love your rocks! And your rock projects! It's so neat that you can find rocks like that around you. We till up dirt and just get more wet dirt. I wish we had some rocks. I am a rock buyer. I can't wait to see your finished project!

Unknown said...

Whatever makes you happy!! Personally I prefer chocolate and shoes and handbags but to each her own :) All your projects are beautiful!!

Michelle said...

Yeah, it's always amazing how the apple doesn't fall far from the tree... and ummm enjoy your rocks? I was going to make a crass joke but decided against it. Bedtime. Definitely bedtime.

CC said...

That is awesome. I have no interest in all the physical labor involved in moving rocks. But hey, if you want to make me some rock walls or furniture, then come on over!

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to go out in the woods and sit and read upon a huge rock. My parents use to laugh about it saying that wherever we were i'd always find a rock to perch on.
Now with our new farm i am blessed to be surronded once again with beautiful rocks. Classic 200 plus year old farm walls that i find just soul calming.
Love your rock projects ! what a great wall builder you are... and that takes skill !

Viv said...

I am trying to resist the impulse to resort to bad puns like, "you rock my world..."

Okay, better now. Your rock projects are awesome looking, but then, your whole house just beckons as a place one would love to call home.

Karen said...

I can hardly wait to see the finished project!! You are going to show us right?

HalfAsstic.com said...

I have had rock collections my entire life, well, that's not entirely true, I guess. All the time when I was growing up I loved rocks. We, (a friend and I), collect and put them in the same area up a ways from our houses. The only thing I can remember stealing in my life is a rock from this other kids rock collection. His name was Dan Stembridge and to this day, that rock is referred to as Dan Stembridge's rock. ;-)

JennyH said...

I loved rocks as a kid.
Good luck while your working with all your precious rocks. Hopefully you can get your projects done ... and then move on to more!

Shellie said...

Rocks are sweet. You're not the only weirdo that way.