A Neutral Color Pallet

Love this color pallet, yet find it the hardest to work with and do it justice. Also love the lines, shapes and positive/negative spaces found in these photos which were taken at a local farm.

Architectural Favorite

This barn is one of my favorites due to it's unusual architectural design.


It sits near one of the roads that I take to visit my Mom.


The way part of it is built into the hill makes it all the more special.


I wish I knew more about it's history. How old is it? Who built it? Where were they from? Was it similar to the barns from where they were born? So many questions. If only these old places could talk.

When No One's Left to Care

Came across this abandoned old red barn the other day sitting very close to the road. The farmhouse next to it looked empty as well. I imagine an elderly couple having lived most of their lives here, finally died, and no one is left to, (or interested in) keeping the aged homestead going.

The old gal may be in bad shape,


but she has lot's of interesting shapes to her.


She also has some mystery... look very closely, as there is something interesting in this photo below, (that I didn't even notice until I was back home)...


It's part of an old license plate from 1927 hanging above the doorway. (See photo below for a close-up)


Was it a depression era attempt to patch a hole? A spirit of make do with what you have on hand?
I don't know, but I like it.

And I also like this...


A secret little hideaway. I imagine once, long ago, the couple's laughing children running in and out. Playing hide and seek, and relishing the coolness this root cellar would provide on a hot summer day.

I feel like someone owes this barn some thanks. For years of service and shelter. For literally hanging in there. So, before it falls completely apart, or someone comes along with a bull-dozer, I'd like to take this opportunity to say it,

"Thank you, Red Barn, and may you rest in peace."

Solitude

The Color Of February

This photo of a nearby farm, pretty much sums up the look and feeling of this current February.

How can the shortest month of the year, always feel like the longest???

A Patchwork Barn

The fall harvest season is one of the most beautiful times of the year in this area. And despite the evils of tobacco, (I gave it up years ago) I can not help but love the sight of it drying in the barns.


Check out that fabulous patchwork siding. Isn't is great?!

And the old farm equipment is the icing on the cake.


Scenes like this are what I love about living in the country. How fortunate am I to live where life, at least for some, is still lived slowly, with all senses engaged. What a lovely reminder to the rest of us to take some time to unplug.


Faster and easier, is not always better.

Enchantment

While traveling the local back roads, of which there are a zillion, (most full of wondrous things, which unfortunately I can never remember as to how to get back to again) I came across this truly mysterious abandoned house, rising out from the ground.


vines grew all around it...


with two wonderful smoke stacks growing out of the beautiful, moss covered roof...


and look who I found, (I kid you not) standing nearby...


imagine my continued surprise as around the bend I spot this fellow in the grass...


and further down the road I passed this family walking their dog! ...


I wish I had a better sense of direction, and hope I stumble across this fairy tale place in my local travels again, as it was truly magical. (If it weren't for the photos I would have guessed it to be a dream.)