Monday, August 11, 2014

Last look

Back to reality today, with a crash. I find the mean spirits have transcended to ludicrous, which I find preferable. But sorting out my pictures into coherent bits to spread over the week isn't a good idea, so stand back, here they are:


The weather was perfect. Two magnificent overnight storms, lightening, crashing thunder, rain pelting. It was still raining one morning for a couple of hours, so of course we went shopping.




Ann was out of bird seed and afraid her little friends had deserted her. Of course not; they even boosted her down the ladder. In addition to the nuthatch, the chickadees, and too many varieties of sparrow to note, I saw grosbeaks. We did not get an indigo bunting; they probably came the day I left.




This is wild geranium, and it has overtaken much of the yard and meadow. I took a turn on the mower (low gear and nothing requiring reverse, as I could not depress the brake enough to slow down enough to look down to find reverse!)




The swallows come out of the grainery when the mower starts, and accompany it on its rounds, dispensing with the bugs. Ann says they'll be leaving soon; among her first harbingers of winter.


A walk around the barn. Twenty years ago Pat intended to restore it. Ten years ago he planned to dismantle it and save the wood. Here is the silo, host to wild cucumber.


Look very close for light between the chinks of the last standing boards on the bank side of the barn.


This corner still stands, too.


An old souvenir.



The foundation.



Down on the lower end of the barn, a few uprights anticipating their fall.


At the grainery, Billy and Nanny consider getting up, but didn't.


A look at the creek on Ann's side of the road.


And on the other side. The creek is in one township on Ann's side, and another under the bridge and across the road.


The real front of Ann's house,


Waiting for Joe....


24 comments:

  1. I am amazed at the wild cucumber that covers the silo and the swallows are subline, what beauty in decay and rebirth there is to see there surrounding you.

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  2. What a glorious restorative beautiful place. Thank you.

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  3. I love the little guy peeking out the barn!

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  4. What a beautiful big house.

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  5. What a beautiful series of photos, Joanne!!!

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  6. How I wish I could have jumped on the bus with you for this trip. Another time-by then the barn will have fully self-destructed. Silo will stand forever..Nice pics.

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  7. Seems like Ann and Pat have quite a big place! I like the look of the house and would have fun exploring the yards.

    betty

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  8. It's so depressing when the swallows pack their bags and head south.
    Jane x

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  9. I think I would take the barn down before it fell down on it's own. But that's just talk because I don't have a barn on my little speck of property.

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  10. I sort of like that barn as it is. Although I'm picturing all the snakes that must be crawling around there. Glad you got to go on a little vacation this year. You deserve it!

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  11. I especially love the blue flowers and the blue hue of the creek.

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  12. The decorative wooden trim on the house is lovely, as is the house itself. As for the barn, it really doesn't take long for nature to reclaim wooden buildings, does it? Although it is sad to see them fall down, there is a kind of beauty in the way plants overtake and erase what man has built.

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  13. It looks like a wee slice of heaven to me... a lovely place for a wander about.

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  14. Looks like nature is taking care of the barn so Pat won't have to. I always wanted property with a live creek.

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  15. Hari OM
    Half of Scotland is sending SOS to Noah.com since being hit over the past two days with the 'exhausted' Bertha... so crikey, what was she like over your way??!! Meanwhile, back at the bus, your cup runneth over... the goats have the right idea. YAM xx

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  16. The pictures, particularly the grain silo, are excellent.

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  17. A walk around your friend's homestead was so nostalgic of the old farms I remember as a child. Although the barn was deteriorated it still held the feeling of times past. The farm house is a beauty! I imagine this place is one that is relaxing to the soul -- barbara

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  18. Billy and Nanny are cute. I also like that bird house.

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  19. Many interesting pictures. I have never seen wild cucumber grow that tall!!

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  20. A lovely tour Joanna. I particularly like that close-up of the porch in the last photograph.

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  21. What a delightful area. I love the house. It screams secret garden! :)

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  22. Love your photos. I can't remember seeing wild geraniums before. I do love the look of the sleek, colorful swallows.

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