I have a vivid imagination and have no doubts this was an important structure in the lives of a farm family many years ago. The stories it could tell with the many livestock it protected from the harsh and bitter northerly winds. Its hayloft was likely the perfect hideout for children of all ages and more, much, much more.
While I went on and on a couple of posts ago about people moving back to the country and few old homeplaces standing, there is a sadness, at least for me, throughout the countryside with the delapidated and neglected barns. This photo is haunting and if I were to give it a name, it would have to be lonely. Although I was elated to be traveling and snapping photos and didn’t give much thought to what I was capturing at the time I released my shutter for this shot, once I viewed it on my computer monitor, loneliness is the feeling it evoked. There are no livestock to protect or children’s laughter echoing through its halls any longer.
The barns of today are all steel, cold, uninviting and will never hold the charm or character of the barns of long ago.
Does all this reminiscing make me old? Dear God, I hope not! This photo, as well as a Facebook post from my cousin, also reminded me of my childhood and that is a good thing. Our grandparents lived on a working ranch with horses for the grandchildren to ride, old barns and sheds to prowl through and a swing hanging in a huge oak tree with a chain so long you could swing forever with a single push from a favorite cousin or friend. Those barns held cats and kittens of all ages and sizes and I remember always looking for babies and wishing I could take one home. There was a pear orchard, a pecan orchard, pools to fish in, chickens to furnish part of our breakfasts, a shed full of Mamaw’s delicious canned goods and cattle, lots and lots of the best looking Black Angus cows and bulls you could have found at the time. Our Papaw was their caretaker and he did it very well for most of his adult life.
I miss those simpler days of my youth. Thank you, Denise, for reminding me of all the fun we used to have and thank you, Ed, for taking me past this barn. It certainly evoked lots of emotions and memories, bittersweet and yet wonderful too.
Forgot to tell you: Love your new Christmas tree banner. It’s stunning. Who made it? You must have hired a professional and I’ll bet it wasn’t cheap….
Your photo is beautiful and your narrative is rich and touching. My childhood doesn’t sound much different than yours. Thank you for recalling some of those great memories for me.