| I've recently developed a strange urge to work as a | | | | fashion actual buildings anymore. Most structures are |
| stonemason. I don't know what it is, there's just | | | | made with cheaper materials, drywall and two by |
| something really interesting about working a job that | | | | fours. The days of stone buildings are almost over. |
| has been in existence for thousands of years. | | | | Though stonemasons often work with some of the |
| Stonemasons have one of those select few jobs | | | | sturdiest materials, much of what they do is mere |
| that have withstood the test of time. Having | | | | facade, adding outer finishing stones to the inner |
| fashioned the ancient pyramids of Egypt or the | | | | foundation of whatever is being built. In the old days, |
| Colosseum in Rome, stonemasons have one of those | | | | stones were often the foundation of structures |
| jobs that fills the mind with wonder. | | | | being erected. Now, in order to preserve that old |
| I've always really wanted to build my own home. | | | | fashioned feel, other materials are used for support, |
| Being enchanted with antique and old-fashioned | | | | and stones are added on for effect. It's odd how |
| things, I've harbored the notion of hiring a | | | | things have changed in that way. |
| stonemason to work with me and build a home out | | | | Brickmasons, however, still have an active role in the |
| of stone. It surprised me to learn that very few | | | | construction of buildings, and can often be seen |
| buildings and constructed with stones as the | | | | inlaying intricate designs into the sides of giant |
| foundational element in this day and age. Code for | | | | structures. Of all the modern buildings being erected, |
| earthquake safety and a few other things make it | | | | those built of brick are some of the most beautiful, I |
| very difficult for stone buildings to be erected in our | | | | think. One would have expected that brick buildings |
| modern age. It's a strange thing to approach a | | | | would go the same path of stone-masonry. But in |
| beautiful building, maybe a courthouse, to see its | | | | fact, many bricks are still a very viable supporting |
| marble glistening in the morning sunlight, and yet to | | | | element for brand new buildings. The cost difference |
| know that the beauty of the stone is only a very | | | | in the materials must play a key role. |
| thin covering, housing a framework of cement and | | | | Though my newfound information on the work of |
| metal and wood. But the modern age of skyscrapers | | | | stonemasons has shown me that I most likely will |
| has completely reinvented the ancient methods of | | | | never get to build my old-fashioned stone home, I've |
| stone-masonry. | | | | developed an even larger respect for the trade, |
| Nowadays, a stonemason's work is relegated mostly | | | | which has evolved completely in our modern era to |
| to the outer landscaping of a home. Forming walls | | | | facilitate the demands of an ever changing world. |
| and walkways, stonemasons rarely are called to | | | | |