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."
I love old barns, as well as old farms. My Mom was born on a farm, as was her dad, who lived there to age 90 and was no longer able to care for himself. A few years later, the family had to sell it. All of us cousins grew up loving the farm and the barns and wish the farm was in our lives still. The family that bought it--only the second family to own the place--tore down the old weathered, gray, falling-down barns and replaced them with new metal ones, the ones that stay bright red but have no basement and no character. I would love to live on a farm again and it would absolutely have to have a barn.
ReplyDeleteAnd that root cellar? If the couple you imagine had grandkids, it's likely they also joyously ran around the farm, enjoying the cool darkness of the root cellar.
Thank you for this treat today. (My Mom died 11 weeks ago and I miss her desperately. I'm also thinking a lot about the farm these days.)
~Priscilla
Michigan
Lovely post ~ wonderful photos ... so evocative.
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