INCISED LAVA BRICK

These bricks are a heady experience. Spotted on a rainy summer day when I was 16 while walking along MGF. There's something about the smell of hot brick after rain has hit it, a steamy, earthy and fresh scent loaded with history. I was doing acid at the time and hung out with these bricks for about an hour.

My recent visit to take photos of them had me giggling with the memory.

When I was much younger, I used to think that the mica on some sidewalks was god and no one could see it but me.

MITERED BRICKS

There's nothing better than mitered bricks and there's nothing worse than bad tuckpointing on them.
Located next to The Grove on Morgan Ford Road in TGS.

TONIGHT'S IKEBANA ARRANGEMENT

Ikebana means Living Sculpture and while this doesn't relate to brick in the specific I've seen some old school Ikebana that never included organic material.

Besides, I'm showing off my garden growth that includes the bent maidenhair grass and black African Mask plants in my back yard. Eat yer heart out.

ASH PIT

When I was a kid these concrete cubes called ash pits were at the back of every home. Ashes from the coal burning furnaces were dumped into them. That was before my time.

Once gas furnaces were installed, these pits were used for burning rubbish and leaves until it was outlawed. Many people demoed them but there are a few complete ones still standing in Tower Grove South like this on on the 40 block of Potomac.

NOBODIES HOME

Abandoned Wasp nest on MGF.

White Cascade Brick

I was driving down the 41 block of Utah when I spotted this pile of white cascade bricks, slammed the brakes, pulled back and gazed with that feverish excitement that concerns my closer friends.

I debated poaching just one but broad daylight is a deterrent. I left a note in the mail box flat out begging for some of it and the home owner graciously called.

I listened to a half hour rant about a forgivable loan program snafu that involved a city contractor taking the money and running and leaving her porch demoed. I have to mention this because it was A LENGTHY RANT. I figured if I held on long enough there would be a pay off.

I now have 12 of these bricks. They remind me of what I call Wave brick. These are new (much to my disappointment) and have three holes. BUT THEY ARE WHITE!

LaClede Wallac Brick

Manufactured in the Dogtown area of St. Louis and given to me by my friend, Charlene. Sometimes I will arrive back at The Brick house to an email that says, Check you back Gate to discover the Brick Fairy has left some gifts for you.

Laclede St. Louis Brick

Sometimes when I am jonesing for a brick fix I haul ass to Ebay where I discovered this gem. Shipped from Oklahoma, go figure.

Resurrection Church Redux:

Of course my attraction to photographing the church was the exposed brick walls, considered to be a bizarre style element in a church.

The supports are steel, the exterior brick is a glazed turquoise, white terrazzo steps to the altar (and mounted along the walls), brushed aluminum communion railing, blond wood pews, brass font, ceramic font designed by Hills Arnold, massive mosaic wall behind the altar and a deep dome above it with a skylight.

Check out the various angles of the cross along the Stations.

Resurrection Church.

Know that these photos are quite the coup. This church is closed and on the block. I visited, knocked on the rectory door and was admitted access. Danish Mod to the nth degree! The church secretary told me the church was designed to resonate with the St. Louis arch however this was built prior to the arch. The interior of the church (exposed brick walls, natch) is in the shape of an arch. And that's where the resemble begins and ends.

I sent a load of these photos to the BUILT ST. LOUIS site, they were used but sadly, I was not credited. Thanks, dude.

PRM & MOO NO. 1 BRICK

A complete and solid mystery, this brick arrived as a gift from my neighbor who was doing some serious sucking up. It worked.

HYDRAULIC BRICK!

This is a paver brick from my alley, snatched prior to the alley being paved over.

Hydraulic-Press Brick was located on the south west corner of Kingshighway with various brick yards that produced both common and front (decorative) brick.

Hydraulic-Press Brick Company was owned by T.S. Eliot's father.