Supervising stonework is challenging, but somebody has to do it. Fortunately Carley loves hanging out on construction sites with carpenters and contractors of all stripes. Lately she’s been spending much of the day in the icehouse observing Pam, Tony, and Aaron while they’ve been transforming rock piles into the icehouse courtyard. Carley would always prefer to be outside (unless it’s raining) so wrapping up the afternoon as hardscape supervisor at the top of a stone throne (aka staircase) under a shady maple is her recipe for bliss. Presiding over progress…
Progress, but slow progress, turning the Sherwood Inn’s clay tennis court into a sunken courtyard. Turning repurposed Essex limestone (aka Chazy and Trenton Limestone) from former Rosslyn foundation and cistern walls into retaining walls and borders and stairways. Turning a mostly overlooked backyard into an oasis. An oasis within an oasis…
It is worth acknowledging, however, that Carley is not an especially rigorous hardscape supervisor. Timelines and deadlines are not her chief concerns. Belly rubs and scratches behind. The ears. Are the paramount priorities, so far as she’s concerned.
And so the notion of this Labrador retriever — prone to imperious postures but otherwise playful and undemanding — presiding over a grueling labor and an ambitious scope of work — is mere folly. But, don’t tell that!
Especially when she’s mimicking the officious stance and aura of oversight feigned by her second favorite human (after Susan, of course.)
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