"James \"Cubby\" Culbertson" wrote in
:

Hiya Folks,
Working now on a project that isn't quite "Fine Woodworking".
Building an adobe (heavy bricks made from mud) wall. Over the gate
portion, I intend to set two or three 6"x10"x6 ft. ponderosa pine
beams horizontally. On top of these, I'll put additional adobes.
Ultimately, the entire structure excluding the wood will be stucco'ed.

When working in a traditional material and style, there is generally a
reason that those methods developed as they did. An arch was put in
because it worked, not because it met some designer's need to differ.

Wood and mud and straw and stucco are going to change with moisture.
Frankly, so do bricks and mortar, or steel, concrete and glass.

When we mess with the wisdom of our fathers and grandfathers, we risk
learning lessons they already paid for, sometimes dearly.

I didn't mean for that to sound as though I was preaching, but I don't know
quite how to edit it differently.

Patriarch