Hello,

Timbeal, there are so many possible responses to your speculations given the relation of the projecting brace to the shadowy figure, but I'm not even going to go there. I will state though that from now on I will not be able to go to that corner of the barn with a neutral mind-set.

Regarding the joinery, to me this is a completely standard, logical and even visually pleasing joint in its entirety. And as the question by Richard was a pointed one, I'll just add for now that in the way I have learned to cut it, all the lay-out is done prior to any cuts being made.

Greetings,

Don Wagstaff