Truth In Stone :: The Weblog of Stone Legends

Creating an Outdoor Sanctuary by Cathy Coker Martin

November 2005 Issue - Title: Outdoor Rooms, The Hottest Trend in Home Design by Cathy Coker Martin

As a little girl I remember spending hours in my grandmother’s backyard swing. Daddy built an amazing treehouse for us in the big oak tree behind our house, complete with a zip line. (Truth be told, I was afraid to go down it unless daddy was holding on to me from the ground below.) My mom planted tiny sapling trees in our backyard that today have grown so tall it’s hard to believe that they are the same little saplings. They add such beauty, charm, and of course, shade guiding your eye in and out of the path they carve out of the landscape. When my parents installed the fountain outside the breakfast room window I suddenly realized how mesmerizing the sound of falling water was and knew that someday I would have to have a fountain in a yard of my own.

In one way or another each of the outdoor additions described above is in some way a type of what we now consider “Outdoor Art”. Creating an outdoor oasis that becomes an extension of your home and, a place that gives pleasure to you and your family, is key to a successful outdoor environment. Enhancing your outdoor area, whether on a grand scale, or small scale, there are no hard and fast rules of right or wrong. It’s what makes you smile. It’s where you feel relaxed and happy to be there. This can be a wonderful journey of discovery where you can experiment with new ideas and enjoy the process of creating a personal expression of your desires and pleasures.

With spring and summer fast approaching, this is a perfect time to start planning or adding to your outdoor environment. Outdoor art is very “in” right now. What was once a couple of folding lawn chairs and pink flamingos, is now an entire industry devoted to outdoor furniture and accessories. As far as furniture the choices range from wood, to wrought iron, cast aluminum and cast stone, just to mention a few. There is even a weatherproof wicker collection on the market now.

Cast stone furnishings are probably the newest rage. (Fred and Wilma Flintsone were actually ahead of their time.) You can find stone benches, stone lounges, stone tables, stone garden seats, and even stone chairs. You can even design your own furnishings out of stone, that is, if you know the right people of course,….hello, are you paying attention? Just checking!

Ok, continuing with the “stone” theme, some of the other very popular outdoor objects’de art are of course fountains, fountains and more fountains. You really are not in the groove if you do not have some sort of water feature. It can be as simple as a table top fountain, or more elaborate such as a free standing, tiered fountain, all the way to an entire sheet of water trickling down a twenty foot wall, to soothe your senses and take you away from the stresses of the day. I have a three-tiered stone fountain on my patio that serves not only to enhance the outdoor experience, but also is strategically placed next to a screened window off of my family room. During months when it is too cold or hot outside, I can open the window just enough to hear the sound of the water falling while being in the comfort of my air-conditioned or heated home.

No yard is complete without at least some planters, with greenery and seasonal flowers cascading in abundance. Planters and urns come in a multitude of sizes and material as well. You can have small planters or ones large enough for a small person to stand inside depending on what your space will allow. This is an easy way to add color and texture to any outdoor environment at relatively minimal cost.

Other ways to add color and an artistic flare to your outdoor space are with one or more of the decorative trellises, arbors, or arches available. I have three trellises along one section of my fence for my climbing roses. I have also incorporated two arches in my outdoor environment for climbing vines. One arch is visible from my breakfast room window with a small wall fountain nestled under it. The flowering vine growing up and over the arch is natural art at its best, and the sound of the wall fountain during morning coffee is just the perfect addition to an “oh what a beautiful morning” for me.

If you’re looking to add a little romance or whimsy to your outdoor area, statues are a great way to achieve this. Again, you can go as small or as large as you have room for. There are statues to suit any taste. I, being a complete romanticist, love cherubs, and have invested in a couple of accent statues to embellish my outdoor oasis. The contrast and serenity of the ivy and other climbing vines against the little stone cherubs always makes me smile.

There are endless suggestions for outdoor adornment. Colorful and decorative welcome mats, bird feeders, gazebos, bird baths, hanging wall art of numerous materials and styles, decorative address markers, gazing balls, and, decorative holders for garden hoses can even become an aristic addition to your outdoor environment. It goes without saying that one of the number one outdoor additions, which I consider an artistic expression, is an outdoor fireplace/pit/chimenea. I personally couldn’t live without my cozy chimenea.

Last, but not least, I have to mention the ever popular and sometimes overlooked stepping-stone. Stepping stones beckon you to find out where they will lead you. So simple, but if placed just right, they can lead you on an unforgettable journey, to paths of beauty, tranquility and peace in your own outdoor sanctuary.

Creating a Lifetime Opportunity by Victor Escandon

“I take with me a wealth of knowledge that without either one of you in my life I would not be who I am and who I want to become.”

- Victor Escandon

It has been an honor to work for both of you, and I take with me a wealth of knowledge that without either one of you in my life I would not be who I am and who I want to become.  You two have showed me that with hard work, persistence, and a hunger for learning that anything is possible.  I wish nothing but continued success for C.S.C.S., Inc. and I will have a special place in my heart for each of you.
 

Pictured from left to right: Richard Carey, Victor Escandon and Fred Carey

RC,
You have showed me so much, and I wanted you to know you have been a great mentor for me either knowing or not knowing you were one to me.  Thanks for every opportunity you have given me. 
 

FC,
I can’t say enough. Thanks for the time you have shared with me and all the talks we have had.  I’ve learned so much.  I will cut down on the weight : ) 

I can’t say enough and whatever I write will not due justice to the way I really feel .  Thanks for providing me with an opportunity to make a living for myself.

Sincerely,

Victor Escandon

“I’ve Lost My Passion for Obligation” by Richard Carey
 
With every journey there will come time and a place where the excitement dwindles. This is what I think the psyche calls the “Peter Principle.” Our conversations change and our own words convict us with words like, “This is all I can do or this is too comfortable for me and I have no need for more, or the reward doesn’t constitute the effort.”  We have all, at one time or another, come to this place. The sad fact is we are often well short of our goal when this realization overcomes us. A sinking feeling and even depression can set in, apathy follows.
 
What do we do now? Quit or rationalize excusing the obligation? Do we ease our conscious and abandon the effort? Do we settle for what we have? These are all voices we hear in our heads. An even more revealing perspective follows this same vain, I can see what it is going to take and I just don’t want to put the effort into it. This is the conversation of passion, clearly indecisive. This is where the voice of reason has a strong hold better known as the voice of excuses. Passion is hard to hold on an even keel. Suddenly it is how you feel not what you know.
 
The smarter we get the more we see exactly what it is going to be like when we do take on an obligation. Everything so far has been a conversation of passion first and the reasoning of the obligation second. Properly ordered is the consideration of the obligation with passions following sound reason.

“Obligation is a well-considered promise and the means to do so. Passion is a feeling about a decision and a travesty if it’s the decision-maker.”
 
For this reason I learned to control my passions. It is better I direct where my passions are, rather than them directing me. I know them well, passions are quick to speak. When I control my tongue so goes my passions. Now when obligation is clear, it is time to unleash my passions on it.
 
Once upon a time my decisions were driven by my passions which soon obligated me. When I realized the proper order, I decided with sound reason to be obligated and then the decision was made to use my passion. Before then, passion always took me places, now I take my passions with me to places.  That day changed me forever, with a decision made my obligation clear, I then took my passions instead of it taking me.
 
Which comes first, I lost my passion for obligation or made an obligation with my passion?

King of Starbucks by Richard Carey

I have met and networked with some really interesting people from Starbucks over the years. Anybody who knows me will attest to why they called me “King of Starbucks.” I personally think it is because I do not know when to shut up. Political correctness is not a part of my nature.

I have held various discussions from relationships to philosophical conversations on trends that many of which have come to pass, the economy, finance and have noticed how different men and woman’s perspectives are on these topics.  By “jawing with folks” I have learned a wealth of knowledge.  I have an assortment of friends from there - and all of them have contributed to what now is a reputation I live with.

I have had a great time making fun of life’s journey. We are not that much different from one another. If you have an open heart and listen you will find people are people. Money matters little in a coffee shop, even poor people can keep up with the Jones’, for the price of a cup. More noteworthy are conversations with people you could not approach in any other venue.

I first saw what an impact this social network of coffee drinkers would have when I joined the circus. While our act was in Quebec, Canada, a romantic city, the streets were lined with people sitting on the patio talking and drinking coffee. While there I envisioned the Starbucks Kingdom in the USA. Starbucks was not around at the time. People from all walks of life found themselves on a level playing field and it didn’t matter how much money you have, because the cost of admission was a cup of coffee.

Later I found myself taking up residence in my own local Starbucks where I have forged many meaningful relationships. It seems when people speak exactly what is on their mind, then something special happens. This last decade has brought me joy and a long list of friends I would never have met otherwise. I look forward to seeing each of you, and never tire of our conversations. Most of all, I enjoy laughing with all of you. I will tell a story below that my friends like to hear me tell that sealed my fate for the nickname.

YouTube link tostarbucks video

“If you’re not here after what I am here after, the you’ll be here after I am gone.”

I am sure my story is one of many across the country - a testament to the success of Starbucks.

The “Almost Girls Only Book and Social Club” gets a real treat and a little one on one with Drew Pearson & his Hail Mary story.

By: Richard Carey

Drew Pearson recently spoke to an attending woman’s book club at Galleria Pierra, our stone showroom. It’s good business practice to cater to women and try to ingratiate ourselves gender specific any chance we get. Guys, what can I say? We know where to go to get things done. It seems that Drew knew the value of such an audience too.I was making my usual commercial appeal for business and introduced Drew Pearson. I got caught by my dyslexic eye and arranged to show up at the time it was to be over. My bad! Well, after a where are you call? I rushed to make the event even though I had missed my cue. When my people realized I was not going to make the MC announcement one of my staff members stepped up to the plate in my absence. My late arrival proved to be fortuitous as I watched the event unfold before me. Rob Peterson, our National Sales Manager, stepped up to the plate and made the unrehearsed typical announcement thanking all for coming to our stone gallery. As he pointed out all the stone carvings of statuary and fountains, the architectural facades of photographs hanging on the wall, he even spoke of all the talent surrounding us. He then turned our attentions to the man of the hour - Drew Pearson.

Drew had a lot of stories to tell - both entertaining and informative. I am afraid his life story paled in comparison to the genuine nature in with which Drew spoke from his heart. He has a way of touching you with his words. You could almost care less what he was saying because the way he said it made you feel so special that you felt he was talking directly to you. I know because I was not the only one forming this very personal bond with a man I didn’t know prior to that day. He shared some of his experiences that formed his character. He was careful to give credit where credit was due. If you don’t know his story you should. This is man is a class act. He shared his struggles and icons of his professional football career. You could hear word for word what went on because he was there and he put you there!As he finished his story on the book he opened a question and answer session and many participated.  It was evident that Drew had the same respect Landry. He commented during his presentation Couch Landry had as expectation of your conduct on the field as well as off the field. I personally believe his leadership is exemplified in this statement and is what made the Dallas Cowboy’s “Americas Team.” It is clear to me Drew knew this though not a word was said related to this.  I asked, because he actually knew the late great Tom Landry, a man I personally admired, “What was your most memorable comment from Coach Landry?” He replied without hesitation, “A Commitment to Excellence, the keyword here being Commitment!” How befitting was this answer because we just released a blog post that I had written some time ago to our employees about the relevance of Excellence.  I ask them to continue the quest for excellence and practice these traits of excellence as they go.  I couldn’t share it then and I would like to now for I hope someday Drew will read this for himself.  Drew, I think what I was trying to say is commitment

• Excellence is warehoused in the smallest of details. Do micro manage.
• Excellence is elusive, but obvious if ignored. I didn’t know, but now I do.
• Excellence is knowledge, captured it’s worthless until released. Share what you know
• Excellence is what you know coupled with what you do not; success is knowing the difference. The more you know, the more you realize there is to learn.
• Excellence is the marketplace, judge and jury. You cannot buy it. Serve well and rewarded.

There were many personal questions that followed. I distinctly remember one question, “How did you get through all the tragedy and the twists of life that came your way?” He paused and gave his only one word answer, “Faith.”

When asked about his upbringing, he proceeded to speak of his mother and honored her for being such a large part of his faith. He then followed it by how she used to whip him for skipping church to play ball. You could not help but think what a humble and wonderful guy he was for opening his heart towards you. It was not the speech I was expecting, in fact he was so personable, I was really having a good time. One of our customers had his eleven-year-old son there. Drew called him out in front of all of us and put his super bowl ring on the young man. Then cameras started flashing and there wasn’t one of us who didn’t wish that at least for that moment we were eleven again. Drew knew how to make you feel special and he did it with such sincerity that I surrendered any skepticism I had harbored, as did the rest I am sure. What a privilege it was to meet a person like Drew Pearson in this most intimate of settings. What unfolded next moved me to my core.

(Pictured from left to right: Rob Peterson, Aela Zamecki, Drew Pearson, Cathy Martin and RC) 

I have never been more pleased to be associated with an employee and after this many years, a dear friend Rob Peterson. Rob laid a question on Drew that I did not hear at first. All I heard was Drew in his charismatic voice say with zeal, “Get him on the phone!” Rob stepped back and began to dial the phone. I knew he was in the doghouse with his teenage son for not taking him to meet Drew Pearson, so naturally I jumped to conclusions. I was moving to intercede with a suggestion of opting for a more appropriate time as Rob was dialing, just as the phone was ringing he retorted, “No this is not my son but a guy in the hospital with cancer and Drew just agreed to speak to him. Drew said to do it and hey I’m doing it. A doodlebug in a tire rut wasn’t any lower than the way I felt then. When I realized it was not as I had thought and Rob had asked Drew to call a friend in the hospital trying to beat cancer, I was shocked. As I reeled from my overconfidence in jumping to conclusions, Rob handed Drew the phone. In a voice with such resonance that Gabrielle’s trumpets came to mind, Drew says, “Hello …  how are you?” With the warmth of sunshine emerging over spring day, the room lit up. The two began an exchange; I could not help myself but to strain my hearing so as not to be noticed as I eavesdropped.  The room changed something special was unfolding.

It humbled me so that Rob was bold enough to ask for something so selfless. Equal to the call, Drew responded in the same selfless manor. Right in the middle of the book signing Drew said without hesitation, “Get him on the phone right now, I’ll talk to him.” And talk to him he did. We all waited 20 minutes while he completed the call. Drew was giving his undivided attention to this stranger a friend of Rob’s in need. Drew emerged from the conversation saying we are going to go fishing as soon as he is strong enough to get out of that bed. I could feel the difference in Drew’s voice as I overheard him consoling and befriending someone he had never met. I looked around the room sheepishly; mine were not the only eyes tearing up as we witnessed the compassion of the exchange. One who was bold enough to ask on behalf of another and the other was bold enough to respond with the nobility of a stallion. I could not help but think to myself that today we are in the presence of men real men.

Richard Carey

Jim Stillson is the diving coach at SMU, which is well known for their aquatic program, and has an unusual character in their choice of coaches. One day I finished playing tennis on campus, and noticed a diving meet in progress. Catching only the last hour I was very impressed with the finalist. At the conclusion of the meet things started changing. The formality and discipline disappeared as the athletes started having fun. What crazy stuff they were doing and no lifeguard to tell them no. After it was apparent they were a bunch of clowns; I felt myself wanting to join them. The flying squirrel was too much to take. One diver took a tarp and tied the four corners to his wrists and ankles, making a parachute. From ten meters a belly flop is nothing to take lightly. Just as I thought, he had bit it for sure the tarp filled with air and slowed him down just before impact. It took guts to do that if not a lack of brains. They pushed me over the edge with the nest next trick. Slip N Slide on a mat off of the ten-meter. They came off there backwards on their belly one their back and did trick after trick. That was all I could take. I had shorts on from tennis so I went to join them. My first attempt at joining them on the ladder was met with, “you cannot do this, and my response was “yes, I can. With my persistence, the diver who was a flying squirrel told me, “look if that guy right there says you can then you can,” he pointed to Jim Stillson, the Coach. I climbed down the few steps on the ladder to the tower and walked straight over to him. “I want to do the slip n slide, I said and his response was, “you can’t, and I replied, “yes, I can. To my surprise he said, “ok go ahead. Later he revealed the risk to his career by saying “yes I was not insured and that was a school policy to use the towers. I now know why he looked so pale while I was working up my nerve to slide. I was up there for 15 minutes before I got the nerve. Knees knocking and shaking like a leaf, it was a long way down. (I had clowned around as a teen and so I had some fun diving all through my youth and even developed some limited tricks over those years.) When he realized I was hesitant he insisted I go down the ladder. I protested. Just tell me one more time how to do this slide on my belly and when I come off the end bend at the waste and roll it into a 1 & 1/2. “Yes, he said, “but you do not have to do this. I am sure he was thinking about his career, and not me. By that time I had created a lot of attention and a crowd was gathering to see me bust it. The announcer on a loud speaker asked me my name and with tongue roll he announced my name as a first timer doing the slip n slide dive. The coach said, “roll it up boys, again trying to get me to abandon the challenge, each time looking more worried for his job. “I am going, I insisted and he retorted back, “Go then! Once I started there was no turning back. As I slid on my belly, my head came over the edge first. I remember saying to myself, “Ok now bend at the waist and turn this over slowly as it is a ways down. I went from seeing water to seeing sky all the time looking at my toes. Then came the water again, I had great pike position and lined it up well above the water. With all the adrenaline flowing I hit the water with all I had. I got the dive in, relieved I made my way to the surface. The crowd was ecstatic, I thought I was in the Olympics with all the judges holding up the number 10 on their scoring card. As I emerged from the pool I was met with congratulations telling me I ripped the dive. (Ripping the dive means no splash, as you go in so vertical that you pull the water surfaces in after you leaving no splash). Jim had a relieved look on his face and I was certain I had the same look. 

The next spring I called Jim and explained I would have done the sport if I could have. As I explained my passion and the fact that dyslexia kept me from accepting a scholarship offered to me if I made the team.