The Rockpile

This is not work for an old woman and an old man.  Tonight Grandpa and I spread a pile of gravel on the driveway.  The dump truck did most of the work on the driveway itself, but it left us a pile to spread on the parking pad and in front of the garage.  It only took us about an hour with a scoop shovel and a garden rake, but now I am beginning to feel it between my shoulders.  Grandpa is a strong wiry man, and he moved right through that big heap of rock with his shovel.  I thought of how many humans have had to work gravel or rock piles throughout history.  Sometimes for their own need, sometimes to build cathedrals, sometimes as a punishment.  It is difficult work, and it's not a job for Grandma!