“You are a child of the universe no less than the trees & the stars … Whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. It is still a beautiful world with all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams.” ~ Max Ehrmann
Moss and lichen need moist, shady areas to take root, and a food source, of course. Brick makes a happy home by being porous and holding moisture. But moving past the beautifully floral mossy growth, let’s look at this brick wall. Many of the bricks are older (pre-1940) based on their softness, i.e. imperfect edges. Parts of the mortar are not original to the wall, and what has been replaced has not been replaced with comparable ingredients or in proportion to the original. Just look at the brick by the gate lock to see what I mean. Furthermore, not all bricks were made from the same clay mixtures or fired similarly, as evidenced by the array of colours and kiln scorches. Lastly, there’s at least one small area of the wall where the running bond was rebuilt with stack bond, and we know it’s not an original intention because the mortar is modern and hard. The moss and lichen contribute significantly to the character of this brick wall, and they soften the extreme repairs that have taken place over time. I’d sure do it if I had the money to replace my wooden fence with brick. The durability is unbeatable, and even if you use the wrong materials for repair, it has character.
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