26th June 2026
Over breakfast I made a momentous decision, I watched Winnie ripping clumps of grass from part of the already destroyed back garden.
We were due to hold a duel birthday party for Kelli’s mum and son on Sunday. That part of the lawn looked shite, and I was embarrassed that anyone should see it.
My decision was to bring forward the plan to replace the patch of grass with gravel and paving. This would mean digging up what grass remained, levelling the soil and put down a landscape quality membrane.
So off I drove to Menards and loaded up ten bags of gravel and a roll of super duper material. Ten bags is not really enough, but I didn’t want to overload the truck, and it should at least give a base cover.
As soon as I returned I started on the grass removal. I didn’t about half the area then I had to visit Henry, I should have cancelled, but his wife wanted some work done to some old family history bed frames, and this was my opportunity to check the job out.
I arrived and saw the new concrete pathway and patio area that had been laid the previous week.
Henry greeted me at the front door. I complemented him on the result, but he wasn’t too happy with it. He identified that there was no slope in a certain part or the patio, and he was trying to get the contractor to return and fix it.
“Oh the trouble with builders” he lamented, “ You put your trust in people you expect to know, and they end up doing a shit job” I nodded, I had my own issue with the corian top in the kitchen.
We retreated to the deck that overlooked Lake Michigan, a breathtaking site, for coffee.
His wife showed me the problem with the beds, not a difficult job, maybe half a days to fix three frames.
I like talking to Henry, I learn more about him each time we meet, and in a lot of ways we are similar. Three hours flew by, he showed me his latest work in his studio. His latest clay work reminded me of Henry Moore’s work, but a little more edgy, I’m not sure if he took it as a compliment, but he should.
Another Lifetime to go 