Pool Sides

 
  I should have done before and after pics of this one. A few weeks ago, some really lovely people near Lincolnville Beach asked us to give them an estimate on putting pavers around their swimming pool. The job entailed digging out existing crushed stone and laying pavers up to the concrete pool surround. I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea, but, like them, short of tearing everything up and starting over, I didn't see any other reasonable option.
  We got to work and were almost instantly satisfied with the results. Not only were the pavers an aesthetic improvement, but they added a lot of extra usable space. Extra "grilling" space, if you will. The owners were happy and we were happy to work with them. Another one of those rewarding little jobs that don't come along nearly enough.

Damariscotta Lake (Where the Blackflies Roam)

  So, this is the first wall we built with Clark on the lake, and the next will essentially be a mirror on the other side of the drive.  And yes, the blackflies were horrendous, and yes, they did carry Damon away. We spend so much time working on the ocean, where the breeze tends to keep them away, that we forget how bad they can be inland.

The Walls of Clark Doody

  Damon and I spent last week building walls with our friend, Clark, on Damariscotta Lake in Nobleboro.  We were just getting there at the tail end of a job he had been doing by himself for a few months. All of the wall you see in these two photos was built by a crew of one, a crew of Clark. And there are more! Clark Doody (hope I'm spelling the last name right) is the owner of CND Masonry 563-6548. He is a whiz when it comes to fireplaces and chimneys, a brilliant concrete finisher, and a pleasure to work with.

Finished Walk

  We took a drive out to Bremen the other day and finished piecing in the walkway we built in the Fall, and which we had been unable to finish at the time because of construction.  It seems to have held up well through the winter. All that is needed now is a little loam for the cracks and some thyme to plant inside it.

Scarborough Fin

  Damon and I finished up in Scarborough yesterday. I am on my way out the door to the next job, but here are a few shots of the finished product. The wires are for an enormous television that will cover most of the stonework. Also, the keystone is coming out to be replaced by a smaller one, as the owners or their designers feel it is encroaching on the television. Basically, I think we just built the world's toughest and most expensive tv-stand.

Wednesday Afternoon

Now we're on our way...

News From the Front

The Arch and the Covenant

Quick shot from my phone.

Foundation Veneer in Scarborough

  It must be close to a month now we have been working on the foundation on the Scarborough guest house.  Damon and I, Danny Harrington, Richard Ware, and Randy Edgecomb.  The veneer is coming to a close and we will soon be working on the chimney veneer.

   Here is the rear of the house with Chimney Builder Steve Welton's staging climbing up the side.

Trouble Melts Like Lemon Drops

  High above the Falmouth chimney top, which we finished the other day and topped with the original bluestone from the one we ruinationed.

College of the Atlantic

  A couple of weeks ago, Laura and I took a drive up to the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor and walked around the campus.  I was struck by the amazing stonework on the main hall, as well as that of the satellite buildings and the crumbling remnants of old stonework on the grounds.

Damon and Richard Ware(wolf) the Giant Stonemason

Horse Sitting

Chumley and Paulie having breakfast. I have been house, horse, dog and cat sitting at Dan's for the last few weeks. It's hard to be away from home but always nice to spend a little time in "the country", and Pittston is most definitely that.

The Mock-up Behind the Mock-up

This is the dry laid mock-up that will today become the wet laid mock-up on the chimney. I hope.

Are You Going To Scarborough Job?

  So, we finally started the big Scarborough job.  We didn't waste any time getting our tent-shanties set up and heated.  I overheard one of the carpenters saying, "Man, they've got a whole little city set up in there."

  And indeed, we do. Complete with chiseling tables, rock shelves, microwaves, grinding boxes with exhaust fans, propane heaters, and kegs of beer.  Well, no beer, but everything else.  Here Richard Ware(wolf) is hammering away at one the tables I built.  I made his a bit taller than the rest, as he is like eight feet tall.

  And of course, there is Danny Harrington:

  And Damon:

  As you can see, we are doing a stone veneer on the foundation, so everyone is working on their knees for awhile.  I have been out back putting together a mock-up for the chimney, so the owners can check it out when they come in next week.

  The edges will have to be softened and "tweaked" before the stones are mortared in, but that is the basic idea.

Up On The Roof (Again)

  It was nice to finish up the inside work and let the owners' get back to some semblance of a normal dust-free existence. I imagine they will be cleaning up the fallout dust from our demolition for weeks. Emma the cat, who greeted us daily and kept a wary eye on our progress, will be happy to have a little privacy, too.

  Anyway, up through the roof and away...

  And what a view from up there, looking out over Casco Bay.

  I have said it before, working on the coast of Maine, we are blessed with having these amazing views on almost every jobsite.

    We finished up just as the sun went down.  In fact, I had to grab these shots before it got dark and I wasn't even done setting the flu.

  We still have to go back in a week or so, after the fireplace insert is installed, to do the cap and wash.  Meanwhile, be sure to stop in Freeport at the owner's yarn and needlework shop: Grace Robinson & Company. www.yarnandneedlepoint.com. I hear it's one of the best in the state.