Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Memory of a Farmhouse

It took me years to figure out why there were so many piles of old bricks on the old farmstead. Tucked behind sheds, stacked up in the tree rows, laid three and four deep on parts of the barn floor their existence remained a mystery.

It wasn't until we started tearing down a small, dilapidated shed that I developed a theory which was later verified as a truth.

The frame of the rickety little shed was covered almost entirely in old street signs, stop signs and road construction signs. Some were almost pristine while others were dented and rusted almost beyond recognition.

The construction material caused me to wonder if the man who owned the property worked for the small town, or if he had perhaps been a garbage collector.

A random visit shortly after the demolition from another old gentleman in the area confirmed that the owner of the house had worked for the city for many, many years and often hauled home salvage and discards and job excess.

The signs and bricks were relics from the time this thrify man saved everything with any value.

And although there was never enough of any one material to make an entire project from the red, orange and yellow bricks...

Their sturdy testiment to time let us create a lot of different projects.

Sometimes it feels like the years on the farmstead were a magical time...like following the yellow brick road to Oz.




This little memory is written in honor of the letter "O" for Alphabe-Thursday. "O" is for yellow brick road to Oz.

To read other 'O' offerings, just click here!

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27 comments:

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Beautiful memory, Jenny!

Seeing things in the past make me curious and then imagine up the stories behind them..

JANU said...

Wonderful memory.

Theresa said...

Uncovering memories:) Have a blessed day dear Jenny, HUGS!

Lola said...

Back again!

Wonderful memories here - Happy Alphabe-Thursday!

Cheryl D. said...

It sounds like a very interesting, charming place!

Unknown said...

Lovely! And that's a gorgeous picture - I can't take my eyes off it.

D. Jean Quarles said...

That's a great pic! Love your memory.

Maggie said...

Such a fascinating story, I wonder whatever happened to all the old signs? They would probably be collectors items today.

Esther Joy said...

What a vivid picture you paint with your words! I could just see it in my mind's eye!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Memories are feeled with magic, aren't they? I enjoyed walking the yellow brick road to your Oz this week.

Anonymous said...

That's exactly how I feel on my little farm some days. :-)

anitamombanita said...

Great story. Reminds me of my hubs who loves to collect old rusty crusty building materials for some unknown future project...

Susan Anderson said...

These farmhouse memories definitely have a magical feel to me...

=)

Dana @ Bungalow'56 said...

Today everyone would be tripping over each other to get those signs. Lovely memory.
Dana

Unknown said...

How cool to cover the building with signs!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I always enjoy when you share your memories, Matlock. O is for outstanding!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Wonderful memories shared once again so very eloquently Miss Jenny.

God bless and enjoy your day!!! :o)

Jo said...

Beautiful, yet again ... what wonderful memories! I am so happy that you are sharing these with us all!

Ames said...

Isn't it neat finding out the story behind things. I love the back stories.

I bet those signs would be worth a fortune to the pickers!

Hope things are going well for you. Have you in my prayers!~Ames

storybeader said...

how sweet! It's a mystery when you move into a new (old) house and piece together who lived there before you and what their lives were like.

I remember when I first moved into my (old) house, and was voting for the first time. One of the women who took my name suddenly looked up at me and said "you live in the house where I raised my children." It was so sweet - we talked for a little while before I voted... {:-D

To the Toy Box and Beyond said...

great memories You make me want to go live on a farm somewhere

Ms. A said...

I not only love the story, I love the idea of re-using things to serve another purpose! Recycling, re-using, re-purposing... all good and less waste.

Siggi in Downeast Maine said...

What a nice memory..thank you. A very enjoyable read.
Peace,
Siggi in Downeast Maine

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Ya know this is what we do when ya disable the comments! Heeehehehe!

I just wanted to wish you a great move and pray everything goes smoothly and fall right into place for ya sweetie!

God bless...'can't wait to hear how well it went! :o)

21 Wits said...

Oh what a beloved memory, and your bright yellow road leading up to the old farmstead...is The Icing on Your Cake!

H said...

For some reason, road signs seem to be quite a collector item among students!

The Poet said...

Hello Jenny.
Looks like that yellow brick road just took you somewhere too. Wonderful post.
Thanks for sharing.