Elmer

I picked this gravestone up in Fairmount at Dan Bare's who found it up on Harrison Avenue when somebody had cleared out an apartment. Elmer was a dog I am guessing. Right now the stone is resting in peace over at Mini Man our soon-to-be torn down shotgun.

Gulia and Judge Susan Dlott at Naturalization Ceremony

Recently we were over at the Federal Court House in downtown Cincinnati for the Naturalization Ceremony. It was a very moving event as there were people from all over the world, all with their own story, all becoming  U.S. citizens.  I met Gulnara Almukametova six years ago the day after she arrived here. I was so excited to meet a real live Tatar! A few years later Becky and I went to visit her hometown of Bakali. It is only one of the most wonderful places on earth. Gulia has always been a hard worker. These days she is selling cars and going to college. I am very proud of her.

Rosie Red

Cincinnati Reds Findlay Market Opening Day Parade   Rosie Red is waving to us as we await the beginning of the parade. Becky and I  were riding our bikes in the parade. It was a day when everyone is Cincinnati proud.  There was plenty of time to take pictures as we waited up by Findlay Market.

Goshen Horse Thief Detective

The World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales

Streetcar and miniature bus

Pirates

Green Witch

4192

This guy was a little scary looking as his beard stuck out to the side. 4192, of course refers to Pete Rose.

Mosh Bikers

These guys were quite fearless riding  6' high bikes and drinking beer.

Happy Valentine's to my Sweetie Pie. After painting the living room,  We celebrated in Cincinnati at the quasi private Betty Bar. Nick the piano player took our picture.

One of the most fun things to do is to spread out the candidate bricks on the ground and pick out which ones to use and where. Some of my very favorites I mortared in a prominent spot by the back door. They all cried out "Choose me1"

The wall is taking shape.

Looking at the wall from my side. We have finished four courses on both sides. Now we are turning two bricks sideways to tie everything together. Long with a string line and 4' level the small torpedo level is invaluable. I used it to check most of the bricks as I laid them in place.

Jesse is finishing up the first course on the back side of the wall. He is using a narrow pointing trowel to fill the gaps between the bricks. After the mortar starts to harden up he will come back and press the mortar in place with a rounded trowel.   In the foreground we have started the first course of the wall on my side.  So there are really two parallel walls with a gap of about 2" inches in between.