Leveling the Footing

A discarded hinge plate lay wedged beside an asphalt seam. I stood over it, shifting my weight from heel to toe to test the ground beneath. Stable. Kneeling, I picked up a chunk of crumbly white mortar resting against the shed wall. It gave under heavy pressure, turning into chalky granules. I poured the powder into the hinge pin groove, then set my cedar hinge block on top. Pressing down with both palms, the powder compacted, filling the hollows completely. It rested level. No wobble.