Creating your own rock wall

Masonry is another very easy thing to do with great results. I am currently doing a rock facade to side the bottom half of my house. I have done this for a fireplace backing as well. 

First step is collecting rocks. I find dry creek beds and fill buckets to as heavy as I can lift with stone. I am picking out small beautiful rocks, very small ones for gaps, and the larger the rock the flatter the rocks if you are doing a veneer or facade over either cement, hardie backer board, or an existing rock wall. Also a few base stones, or thicker ones for the bottom.

I also enjoy using other objects like broken glass I tumble to make sea glass, broken dishes, old marbles, etc to give shine and pops of color. 

Next you mix your type S mortar with water in a bucket. I do probably less than half a five gallon bucket at a time so I can mix it thoroughly and jt doesn't dry out on me. Consistency is key, add water in slowly until you get the consistency of about a cake batter. Let sit for a few minutes.

I have been using a large metal putty knife for applying to my rocks. I always dry fit each rock. It takes more time but ensures a better, more balanced fit and less large gaps of no rock. Glob on your mortar onto your rock, spread it around, and stick the rocks on. If you have gaps it is petfect to stick some pebbles or marbles in. There is a certain height you can go with them before you have to let everything dry and return. I can't tell you, but you will know. Grab a soaked sponge and clean off any rogue mortar before leaving it.

At the end I go back with a bit thicker, or dryer mortar to shove in any empty spots or fill in. Have fun!

Plantain oil for bugbites and stings

Plantain can be found growing wild in a lot of places. Both times I have found mine near a creek though. I have been reading up on edivle plants and medicinal recipes. Plantain fresh can be rubbed on your skin directly, but to be able to be used other times of the year an oil infusion is the way to go. 

First gather your plantain leaves. Good foraging means not picking all leaves of one plant so gather thoughtfully. 

Now I have made myself a kitchen herb dryer. I just left the leaves to dry for a few days and done. For oils you do not want the extra moisture or you could get mold.

Bonus is dried leaves can be used for tea which is good for kidney and urinary health. Anyway, next, cut up the dried leaves and stuff in a glass jar. Cover the leaves with carrier oil, I used sunflower, put a lid on, and let sit in a sunny spot for 2 weeks.

Now you need to strain out the leaves and you are left with your plantain oil. It is good for bee stings, bug bites, splinters, I have even heard it is good on snake bites. The natives called it medicine leaf since it soothes and draws out toxins.