Made by Hand

These bricks were formed and fired by hand then loaded onto carts pulled by horses. This house was made by hand, the bricks rubbed by hand to create the wedges used below. The beautiful mortar is going soft.

Alley Cruising

The morning drive: ash pits, garage doors, and alley poetry.

My back yard:

Bond. Flemish Bond

I appreciate the details to this house on 39 Hartford with its original quarter sawn oak doors, the Flemish bond, and quoining:

Terra cotta capital:

Dinner with Sue at Duff's

Behind the Brick

Brick awaiting repointing on my back porch after being raked. Behind the fine mortar finish was a variety of small rocks which had me wondering about the mechanics of hand selection in 1912.

Brick with Black Holes - Pop Quiz

How is it these bricks have black holes?

Check out the original mortar with its flecks of quartz and feldspar. It's almost 100 years old and remains perfect.

St Paul UCC Church in TGS - Potomac & Gustine

I was driving along Potomac when I spotted Kevin on a walk. His father used to be the minister of this church and knows the current minister. Which means I have an in to do photos without having to attend mass.


Flemish bond.

Stellar limestone arches

Recently tuck pointed

This has to be some of the whitest mortar I've come across. I bet it went on like cake frosting.

Pulchritudinous Brickwork

Yet another reason I love living in Tower Grove South, I get to encounter intriguing brick and brick work:

39 Wyoming

I walked into CFX a few days ago. It used to be Holy Family church where I spent (literally) thousands of hours between grades 1-8.

Diaper Bond

Thanks to my conversation last night with my ex (the astonishing Dave Lewis) I learned the name of this brick bond is called diaper. Google images: diaper bond.

AMERICAN BOND - TGS

A classic example of American brick bond.