I was listening to a National Public Radio broadcast about the Yanksee River hitting a mountain and turning north. The region was filled with folklore giving the mountain and river human attributes. An interest in the old Orient began over two decades ago after attending a exhibit of John Thompson, an early British photographer of Southeast Asia and China. I had recently inherited a 150 pounds of lapidary rocks and was examining small pieces on the workbench as the story ran. The largest rock immediately appeared as mountain and within seconds the wooden slab became the river. Then it took over two weeks, looking at hundreds rocks before deciding on two smooth water worn islands.
Rounding the corners of slab would probably improve the overall appearance. After considering beech was used extensively in the nearly extinct quality wooden rulers decided sharp corners would be a minor tribute of the wood's contribution to education. Beech is also used in the spring clothes pins because of its strength; almost the strength of rivers and rocks but not that of its plastic replacement.
