Now my forms are getting additive sculpting with shells and beach rocks. I try to make little waterfall shelves while keeping the flow I want in mind. Water has a mind of its own and these fountains will require much more fooling and testing before they are good to go. There is so much work involved in making sure it stays movable. When in place, you just keep adding layers in the bowl until it holds water.

Now I am mixing the batches of cement by hand using recycled plastic container that lettuce comes in these days. It is just the right size and I am able to get my mud exactly how I want it, water to sand to Portland. First I mix a batch of dry Portland and sand in a big bucket. Then I scoop out about the correct amount for my lettuce container. Using waterproof gloves I mix the mixture with water and if I get too much water I just add a little more of my premixed sand and Portland until I get it right. I like working with clay and dough so this technique is much more pleasing to me than mixing in the big cement mixer. Did I mention that mixer dropped off its shaft as I was using it? Thus the new mixing method. I have a thing that attaches to my drill but doing it by hand is resulting in a perfect mix. I also let nature give me a hand sculpting some leaves for waterfall shelves. The little fountain viewed at the end is nice but needs some finishing damns to make the water behave.

Now my forms are able to be hooked up to water and pumps for testing. I get to see how the water is really going to flow and make the proper adjustments. I also test if the base holds water. You have to be very patient during this stage as adjustments are always needed. It is water, it will do its thing. You can dam it, reroute it, capture it in a bowl but it will surprise you every time.