A Good Barn

It’s a picturesque scene from somewhere in Ohio’s Amish Country last fall. I didn’t love it there but there were some bright moments including a peaceful drive in the country and just sightseeing.

This farm was a favorite, possibly because I liked how the vibrant blues and greens accentuate the wood barn.

Greek poet Hesiod is alleged to have said “Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.”

I don’t know if he really said this but it made me laugh and it sounds pretty accurate to me. I do like a good barn!

Abandoned

Houses like this one always make me sad. You can tell she was once a beauty and if this old girl could talk, I’m sure she would express shame for her current condition.

Her barn is gone and the remaining shed in the field is collapsing onto itself. Someone still farms here but the house is no longer a home.

Small children once pressed their noses against the upstairs windows, eager to go play in the snow. They slammed the kitchen door on the way out to chase lightening bugs in the summer. That gorgeous front door was once open to neighbors on Sunday afternoon. Gallons of iced tea were consumed on the front porch while the price of hay and the chance of rain were debated.

She unfailingly provided shelter and warmth to generations who needed her but now sits vacant and ignored. Her windows are all broken and she has suffered the indignity of a spray painted message on her face.

What wisdom might she impart if she could speak? What comfort could she provide if fixed up and offered the opportunity?

I’m sure we’ll never know as she is suffering a slow but inevitable demise.

Barn In Snow

Snow flurries made for a pretty drive earlier this week. I was on my way someplace but happily slammed on my breaks for a quick phone picture.

Have a great Sunday, friends!

Old Silo

Doesn’t it look sad? You can still see some of the rubble from the barn that once accompanied this silo.

It’s like a pepper shaker without its salty mate.

Photo made in Jackson County, Ohio.

Sunset Over Harvest

A long day of fun on the road recently found me trying to beat the sunset to get home. That was less than ideal since sunset is a fabulous time for pictures.

Here’s one more picture with that pretty light.

Victory In Surrender

The final days before vacation can be painful. Sometimes it’s because we work to get ahead so our vacation doesn’t inconvenience coworkers or so our house is clean when we come home.

Sometimes it’s because we are so overdue for a break that the suspense of waiting for said break is almost too great to manage.

I’m officially on vacation now and can honestly say that it came not a moment too soon.

I was starting to feel put upon, irritated by people who rely on me to be the planner or the grown up when they could do things for themselves. I found myself complaining and feeling frustrated about things that shouldn’t bother me.

Our society tells us that being busy is important. Many Americans leave vacation time on the table because they feel weak for taking time off, because they feel judged by a supervisor or because they don’t want to leave coworkers short staffed.

Luckily, these aren’t issues for me. I just tend to horde time off for fear I might need it later, consequently waiting too long to take breaks.

Lying in bed one night, it occurred to me there is actually victory in surrender.

Read that again.

There is victory in surrender.

It is winning to know when it’s time to take a break. Trust your body and mind to tell you when you need to rest. You wouldn’t deny yourself a a cold glass of water on a hot summer day. Why would you deny yourself a few days of rest and relaxation outside the confines of your normal schedule?

I’m hoping to return to work better rested, more organized and less temperamental about life in general.

I know. It’s a vacation, not a magic trick… but a gal can hope!!!

Do you have vacation time in the table? I promise you will feel better after a few days of R&R.