The songs of cardinals, blue jays, and wrens at daybreak are the soundtrack of summer. They evoke images of towering sunflowers, county fairs, roadside stands, day trips, road trips, and kicking off our shoes to walk barefoot. Each evening the playlist changes to the gentle song of the mourning dove. It’s said they will “coo” before an approaching rain. Experts will tell us that’s not a scientifically proven way to predict the weather; however, more often than not, I’ve found there’s wisdom in that old farmer’s saying.
While we hold out hope that the August evenings will cool down a little, it just isn’t meant to be. They call these the “dog days of summer” for a reason…weeks so hot and humid that they dash all hopes of a pleasant evening spent porch sitting with family & friends.
Like so many of you, I begin the days early to try and beat the heat. There are gardens to till, flowerbeds to weed, a to-do list to tackle, and oh – did I mention non-stop weeding?
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Another fantabulous post Miss Mary! This one, once again, touches my heart and soul so closely…. Not because I go on many “adventure roads” (that happens totally unintentionally…) but because I’ve had a bad case of “barn-heart” since I was small – and it always breaks my heart seeing one being torn down. But none hurt as much as when the current owners of our family farm took our barn down. Knowing it was built by my great grandfather and his brothers and remembering the time I spent inside its worn walls kept warm by nothing other than the animals within, all came flooding back in a wave that threatened to take me down. I had asked for the old door handle and latch but did not get it. 🙁 Anyways…I digress. You certainly found a wonderful variety of great barns. My favorites are always those with the cupolas and “extra” details and those old, old, ones (like the ones of your black-and-white photos). They are so painfully beautiful in such a bittersweet way. ~Robin~ (PS….It has to be a 1957 Aqua Nomad?? Wouldn’t a 1955 deep burgundy one do???)
Awww Robin, thanks so much! You’re such a kindred spirit…it breaks my heart when I drive by a spot where a lovely old barn once was. I know, I know…the repairs are costly, and the talent to make those repairs is practically impossible to find – everone’s in such a “hurry up” mode, they don’t value the old construction. I have a small one I’ve been told to tear down for ages…my feet are firmly planted, NO. Does it need some love? Lots! But there’s handwriting on the walls, and pegs, and coffee can repairs…I won’t do it. If I have to patch her up myself I’ll figure out a way! I’m so sorry to hear about your great-grandparents barn…that is heartbreaking. You have such lovely stories, please jot them all down! Is there any chance that door handle and latch are still around? Knock on that owners door and ask…it absolutely can’t hurt, just maybe…
And you crack me up…you have a Nomad! Soooo jealous, oh I’m open to any color, it’s just that the aqua one will match my 1963 Yellowstone camper (tiny thing that she is – a Nomad should easily pull her).What are the chances…most folks don’t know what I mean when I say Nomad – always a joy to visit with you!
Oh my. You are speaking my language, dear Mary! I first heard the word “barn heart” a decade ago, although I had been “suffering” with it for much longer. I never knew there was a name for this ache I had inside for beautiful, worn barns. What a blessing to have so many wonderful structures in your area. Thank you for sharing with us.
The weather is changing here in North Carolina, so hold tight, fall is on its way!
Continued blessings.
Yay Daisy! I have to say, if we’re gonna suffer, Barn-Heart is the way to do it! You’re so right…there’s so much beauty in those old barns – the worn ones, the weathered ones…the stories they must know. I’m so glad many are still standing as a testament to our pioneer and farming forefathers (and foremothers!) And yes…I think, just think, Fall may have arrived here – oh, so happy!
Wonderful buildings.
Barns here are usually a lot smaller and built of stone. Many get converted into houses. X
Oh stone ones would be amazing to see, Jules, and much more weather-resistant. Would love to see them (okay, I admit, own one!) surrounded by a classic stone fence – sigh.
Love this post so much! Such hidden treasures!
Thanks Tiffany – they certainly are treasures…I’m so fortunate to be in a spot where there are so many to enjoy!
Oh what a beautiful way to start my day! I’m 81 years young and grew up playing in barns and dearly love them. So many of them here in the Midwest are being replaced by steel buildings and it breaks my “barn-heart”. Barns speak of the past without words, of a time when America was young and men were building her future with wooden beams. When I step into an old barn I always feel like I’m in a cathedral, a holy place and it touches my soul. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Oh Deanna, what a lovely comment, so glad this brightened your day! You have been blessed to see so many I’m sure…the Midwest is just wonderful farming country!
I am absolutely captivated by your description…America was young, building her future, being in a holy place – you are a kindred spirit, I couldn’t have said it more poetically. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a message.
I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I want to ride down my country road with a cute boyfriend in a 1957 turquoise and white Chevy…Sweet!
Oh yes, the ’57 Chevy for sure! And spot on in my favorite colors, Deanna!!
After a bad start to my day, I found your blog so uplifting and enjoyable !
Thank you so much for the kind words Donna…I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and it helped, in a little way, to make the day a bit better.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and your Sunday adventures. I also love barns and living in mid Michigan there’s no shortage of barns to see and be amazed. My grandparents owned a small farm in Sunfield MI As time passed the farm was sold and the barn was falling apart. Fortunately before it was torn down I along with my brother and husband were permitted to get some of the old wood before hand. We felt so lucky and I use a small piece for a simple shell in our living room🩷
Oh Brenda, I’m so, so glad you were able to get some of the wood from your grandparents barn! Wooden barns are notoriously difficult to keep up, I know from experience, but to have a little piece of one that held such sweet memories, is such a blessing. I’m sure as you pass it each day, just the sight of it makes you happy.
Dear Mary, thank you for this lovely post. I grew up in the mid 1950’s with my grandparents on a farm in upstate NY.
My grandfather purchased the property from a former dairy;Aldrich Farms. In addition to a beautiful house there was a 100 year old magnificent barn that became a playground and sanctuary for me and my brother. It also housed our beloved chicken flock,our many Black Angus,and of course our pigs. I can still hear the piglets squealing when the country vet gave them shots.
Many years have passed and the barn fell when it was 160 years old. I copied your pic of the hand hewn beams and post & beam joints and forward to my brother who still lives there.Our barn had been constructed in the same manner. I will be visiting my brother next month.There will be many barn conversations.And while the land where the barn once stood is vacant it will live forever in our hearts.
Thank you for embracing history,old barns,old ways,etc. I think of the many hands and hearts, the hard work,passion and determination that created these structures and treasured items.Blessings of gratitude to them and the gifts they left behind.
Hope, what sweet, sweet memories you have…thank you so much for sharing them with us. I’m guessing when you close your eyes you can still see the house, the barn, and oh the sound of the darling piglets! Those pictures you shared are from the little barn here…the one that needs TLC, but I’ll not letting it go…with handwriting on the walls, it’s just too much for me to even think about. Do I have the skill? No. Can I find anyone with the skill? Difficult at best. But she’s not getting taken down on my watch!
You’re right…it will live forever in your hearts…the memories, the fragrance of alfalfa and clover, the sounds. Write it all down so it stays in the family…there are stories the younger folks should know and remember. And you’re more than welcome, Hope, how kind of you to say…those “old ways” are just a part of me, a little out-of-step maybe, but we have to be true to our hearts!
I have loved barns my whole life. I remember being young and walking into my grandfather’s barn and the smell of hay ohhh it was wonderful. We use to do Sunday drives when we were kids. So glad I visited tonight.
I agree Cathy, there’s just “something” about the scent of fresh hay, it IS wonderful. And we’re never “too old” for Sunday drives…I’m all for bringing back some of the sweeter things from the past…we need that quiet time without any particular place to be and no rush to get there!
I love this article and so timely! Unfortunately I lost my beloved very old wooden barn to a barn fire this February. We’ve just finished rebuilding the shiny, sparkly new (metal) barn and I do love it – but also very much miss (and grieve!) my lost barn. I saved the door handle on a piece of wood that was on the main slider door (charred and all) … and will be placing it in the new barn which I’m calling Mariah (the place in the Bible where bitter water was turned into sweet water by throwing in the Tree) – my reminder to keep Jesus in all of my life and He turns my bitter (lost barn) into sweet (new barn). God is so good! Oh also, my last name is Barnhart ❤️. Thank you for the beautiful article!
Oh Lisa, your last name makes me smile and is absolutely so perfect for this post! Thank you for stopping by. I’m so sorry to hear about the fire, oh goodness, how scary. I understand, the metal ones go up quickly, are easy to maintain, and will last, but I know how you feel – there’s just something missing. So glad you have the door handle, that’s really a wonderful treasure for Mariah. And I name things as well…my 1963 camper, my 1950 stove, my 1940 sewing machine. I just found an enormous old canning cupboard made of hickory and I’m thinking she may need a name, too!
We have a barn my husband has restored an it’s like it’s just part of us with it’s only lil personality Just beautiful Thank you for sharing 💕
Valerie, to have the talent to restore a barn is amazing! That’s a lost art…what a wonderful barn it must be. Part of the past, part of now…just magical, thank you for rescuing it!
Beautiful post and photos. I have a collection of barn photos and my honey knows when we drive by an old barn that his job is to slow down so I can get a good look and a pic. I hadn’t heard the term barn heart and it perfectly fits the way it feels to love them.
Kelly it’s fantastic that you’re capturing those old barns…sadly, some of the ones I pictured are no longer around. I know the upkeep is expensive, and the talent is nearly impossible to find…but I wish more were loved and held onto. It sounds like Barn-Heart is an ideal way to describe how you feel!
Until I found MaryJane and her community; I believed that I was the only person who came home from a vacation with more photos of old barns than people. My husband built a barn for us to live in. He then moved 2 grain silos and a windmill in to keep the barn looking like it was always on our little hill in Texas. I painted a big barn quilt to fill what should have been the hay door.
Thank you for a lovely Sunday drive.
Sandy, I’m right there with you…beach, sure, but old barns on a road trip, that’s what catches my interest! Oh I’m so crazy about the idea of adding silos and a windmill to your home…and the barn was built by hand. What an amazing story and treasure to share and to pass on! And yes, painted quilt patterns are a part of many barns here, too…it all sounds perfect.