Cob: Some words, probably not so wise

[TICKLETOWN at aol.com]

Dear Dena,
In response to your questions; I probably wouldn't build again using a medium 
and site preparation that I couldn't do with my own two hands using what was 
naturally there (like Shannons' project) and as to protecting my partially 
completed walls, they were made of a heavy gravel concrete mix and on-site 
stone (majorly shale that was saved from the excavation into the slope) using 
movable forms so I didn't have to worry much about them over our cold western 
N.Y. winter. When I started to lay them up again in the spring there wes no 
problem at all with bonding ,curing, etc. We did cover them with tarps in the 
fall and I did wet them down good before laying the next course. The method I 
used was adapted from the one the Nearings used to build many beautiful stone 
homes in New England as described in the book LIVING THE GOOD LIFE. As I 
said, I wouldn't do it again even though it turned out great. I actually 
thought I could get it done in one summer. (I do that kind of overestimating  
a lot. When the actual work is upon me I often seem to move into my 
"grasshopper" mode).
 If you would be interested in seeing some pictures of my babo (burrow at 
brook overlook) write to me off list and I'll send you a file.      Lois