Devine Escapes

"Thanks for all your help, Devin; I couldn't have done it otherwise! Sue"

Not MY work--but I teach home owners how to build their own flagstone hardscapes and THIS is one example:

"Hi Devin. I just wanted to follow-up to let you know that I completed the patio project from last fall and finally just got around to getting some pics and a video to show you.

I followed all the instructions on your website as well as your suggestions from our phone consult (including the extra digging down a couple more inches part because we are in NH, even though I really didn't want to). I also used the products you recommended in the follow-up emails and I am very pleased with the results! The patio went through last winter just fine and the stones don't move at all; they are rock solid 😉

I learned a ton from this project and had fun. I had never even used a power tool (unless you count the cordless Dremel I use for crafting) and didn't even know what the heck an angle grinder was before this project! Your tips for moving the stone helped save this 58 year old's back too, as some of the stones certainly weighed more than I do. I didn't have any small round rocks to use for sliding one rock over another, but get this- golf balls work perfectly for that!

Thanks for all your help, Devin; I couldn't have done it otherwise! Sue"

I will tell you now the Legend of the House of Antaeus.

Last year, I built a dry stone tower /cairn throne, at Llano Texas, for the Llano Earth Art Fest.

3 weeks ago, I saw a post on social media--showing the tower had been dismantled! Vandalized, ruined, what a bummer. I saw people commenting, saying it was sad, or that they were angry.

So I said forget all that anger, forget all that sadness. I decided that I could simply drive down to Texas and rebuild it.....but only if locals would help.

Antaeus was an wrestler in Greek legend, who no one could defeat.

He would stand by the roadside challenging all who passed by to wrestle him. Heroes, gods and giants: none could defeat him.

A son of Gaia, he drew all of his strength from the Earth. If you knocked him down, it would only put him in greater contact with the Earth, and he'd only come back stronger.

The House of Antaeus too, if you knock it down, it only comes back a little bit better than before.