April 14, 2006
Spring
NOTHING is so beautiful as spring—Posted by John Weidner at April 14, 2006 08:56 PM
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden.—Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.---Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89)
Hello John,
I actually wanted to inquire about your experience with soapstone. I came across your soapstone counter blog while reseaching it myself. I am wondering if after living with it for a while you have any seconds thoughts, precautions or advice for someone who is considering soapstone for their own kitchen?
Thanks,
Daniel
We are still completely happy with our counters. To keep them looking their best you have to oil them every couple of weeks (purely cosmetic; it doesn't affect their performance) but other than that they have been trouble-free.
If someone else is installing, my only caution is that they are not going to ever be high-gloss. If you want a shiny "modern" look, use something else.
If you are doing it yourself, be prepared for VERY HEAVY slabs, and clouds of fine dust. Other than that Soapstone was easy to work. And the epoxy I had set too fast--I wish I had had help joining pieces quickly before it hardened...
Posted by: John Weidner at April 15, 2006 11:49 AM
