A changing landscape

Were you born in a barn? Your barn door is open. You can't hit the broad side of a barn!

The American landscape was once dotted with barns. In 1920 there were around 6.5 million barns in the United States and now there are only about 3 million. I love to drive the countryside and see barns in the distance. Some are dilapidated and some stand strong, still telling the story of their importance to American life.

I remember as a child, building forts and mazes out of hay bales. I was always startled when I would turn over a bale and see a dead mouse under the twine. Just part of farm life I guess. My brothers, sister and I would jump from the loft of our barn onto a pile of hay.

Nearly every night we would see or hear a large owl that visited the barn. The soothing sound it made would lull me to sleep at night. I anticipated its arrival and felt like it capped off the day when I'd hear him. It was really great when a light would catch his eyes and we'd see those big eyes glowing in the dark.

My dad kept his tractor and baler safely in the barn with many odds and ends. It was fun to poke around in there and see what interesting items were stored on shelves and workbenches. You could see the dust and hay particles in the air when you'd walk through the door. It was always kind of hazy -ethereal.

My dad had a distinct call to the cows and horses. The minute he would yell, "Comeaahhnn!" The horses would turn and look toward home. Their stables were in the barn, giving them safety during a thunderstorm. Sometimes the safety given was sheltering us from seeing the Vet put down an ill horse. My dad sadly ushered us out of the barn that day and pulled shut the large doors behind him.

Our barn is still there; enjoying its 100 year birthday. Although, it is happily being enjoyed by other kids now.

I'm thankful there are "barn savers" who feel it's important to save these pieces of American history. If one cannot be restored on its current property, they look to move it elsewhere and take it carefully apart, piece by piece. Or, if it is too far gone, they will reclaim the wood to be used in homes, buildings and furniture. The beauty of barn wood is hard to replicate, the beauty of a barn even harder.

Forgive me if I wax poetic. It's just that sometimes I feel so distant from this part of our country. Do you know what I mean?

Then I see a structure that reminds me there is still a connection to Americana at its best.

I'm so thankful I caught a glimpse of it.

The closest thing I will get to having a barn is this little shed in my yard. It holds all of our
gardening tools and the kids' bikes. I like it and hope to add on to it in the future.

Do you like barns too? Do you have one? If you say "Barn" over and over, does it lose its meaning?? (ha ha, it just did that to me.)

{All of these pictures were taken while Charley and I were out driving near our town. She photographed while I pointed out barns. It was fun!}

Happy Friday!