I was cooking dinner and stirring gravy until it thickened. It made me think about mixing mortar on site. Both need the right consistency to stick and set properly. If the gravy is too thin, it runs off the meat. Just like if mortar is too wet, bricks slide. Getting that perfect mix saves time and avoids rework. Now I check my mortar mix with the same care as my gravy.
We were building a brick fence by a busy street, and people kept stopping to watch. Most guys say to just work and not engage, but I always take a moment to say hello. Last week, a passerby pointed out a drainage issue we had missed, saving us a future repair. I think being open with the community makes our jobs easier and more respected. Do you ever get useful advice from folks watching you work?