My father, Allan Fraser, often said the mark of a good stonemason was to possess lots of patience and perseverance. I witnessed that when I observed my Dad working on a keystone and arch or mantle stone. He would think nothing of spending hours or even days to complete these using only a hammer and chisel and possibly breaking only 2 or 3 stones in the process. He would persevere and complete it only when he was satisfied the size and shapes were perfect. He also said one had to have a strong back and a weak mind. I believe he never gave himself enough credit for what he carried above his shoulders. In these modern times with the use of modern tools and materials and the pressure to complete work on a tight budget, very few of us can afford to attempt the old methods….Too Bad!! Well I never achieved the financial “ Fortune” that I searched for in the big “smoke” years ago but I have rarely regretted ignoring my mother’s advice about taking up a trade and pounding on that Famous Muskoka/ Parry Sound granite for years. Probably like so many fellow stonemasons, I have often taken pleasure in standing back after a hard days work and been satisfied with the results.