Hammerhead Stoneworks

The second issue of the Hammerhead newsletter The Daily Sledge is now available. This issue focuses on dry stone patios and pathways. I created it specifically for my DIY flagstone classes at the Arboretum.

On Saturday, I led the first DIY Flagstone class of the season at the NC Arboretum. Ten people took part in the workshop which started at 9 and lasted until 4. In the morning we looked at several samples in a slideshow and discussed the stones, tools and structural elements of a good drystone patio. Just before lunch, we reviewed the safety concerns we might encounter working together. After lunch we headed outside to the ‘Stone Classroom’, a corner of the Arboretum grounds where they have built a gigantic sandbox for paving projects. After a couple of demos, people worked in teams of two to build their own section of flagstone patio. People had fun and did some great, creative work.
There’s a second section of the Do-It-Yourself Flagstone Paths and Patios workshop now registering via the North Carolina Arboretum’s website. The next class take place on Friday, September 4th. Come join me for a fun day of learning and playing with stone.

These images have been sitting on my desktop for several weeks now, waiting for me to upload them. These are all creatures discovered while I was working on the cabin chimney in Madison County.
This is a Giant Leopard Moth just emerged from his cocoon and drying his wings on the cabin sill. These moths come from the Wooly Bear caterpillar. Notice the iridescent blue knee joints. His abdomen had bright orange spots on it.

This Ringneck snake wasn’t much bigger than the moth. He was hiding under the tarp I used to protect the sand, meaning he had a steady diet of roly-polys and millipedes readily available.

Cathy found this guy in the garden. It’s an Eastern TIger Swallowtail caterpillar. Those eyes are markings meant to deter predators.