More Than Just a Patio

A while back we did a project west of Northfield that involved constructing a large clay paver patio and walkway designed by Northfield landscape architect Spencer Jones.

This project involved clay pavers, outcropping stones, a “bubbling rock” water feature, seat stones, and a pathway to a stone bench we constructed.

The pavers were laid in a herringbone pattern, which can be challenging in a large area because the pavers tend to wander and get out of alignment.

The real challenge came when we had to pave around the water feature. We had to start on one side, lay pavers all the around it and come back to meet the pavers at the exact spot we started.

CONSTRUCTION FINISHED!

Champion Buckeye

Check out these pictures of an Ohio Buckeye I saw over the weekend.

Mary Jo and I were in Wheaton, IL. last weekend to see our daughter play soccer for the Wheaton College team.

We stayed at a Hyatt Hotel in Oakbrook on the campus of McDonalds corporate headquarters. (Also home of Hamburger University, where new McDonalds managers and owners get trained in. No joke). We had just checked out and I happened to notice this tree.  I didn’t think much about it, until I saw this sign in front of it. (See picture)

That's me at 6'2"+ under the tree

I did some research on it and found out that it is 150 years old, 73’ high, has a 176′” trunk circumference (That’s a 56” diameter)!  Normal Buckeyes are 30-50’ tall.

McDonalds required the hotel to be built a safe distance away to protect the tree’s root system. The tree is fertilized and watered regularly, and cared for by arborists.

I also found out that championship status is given only to native and naturalized trees in the United States. Winners are determined by a point system based on the trunk’s circumference and the height and the crown spread of the tree.

I can’t remember where I found the following list, but I think it’s worth sharing.

The most destructive habit…………………………………..Worry
The greatest joy…………………………………………… Giving
The greatest loss……………………………………………..Loss of self respect
The most satisfying work…………………………………… Helping others
The ugliest personality trait…………………………………..Selfishness
The most endangered species……………………………… Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource……………………………… Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm”……………………………… Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome………………………… Fear
The most effective sleeping pill……………………………….Peace of mind
The most crippling failures disease……………………………Excuses
The most powerful force in life……………………………….Love
The most dangerous pariah………………………………… Gossip
The worst thing to be without…………………………………Hope
The deadliest weapon…………………………………………The tongue
The two most power-filled words…………………………… I can
The greatest asset…………………………………………… Faith
The most worthless emotion………………………………… Self Pity
The most beautiful attire……………………………………… Your smile
The most prized possession………………………………… Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication……………… Prayer