Standing the Test of Time

It is amazing that some old farm structures can stand  after years of abusive weather.  Built with wood and by men who are long gone, barns still stand.

This old barn has been standing for over one hundred years.  You can see the steam coming off of the roof as the sun warms the tin roof and the frost begins to melt.  The key to keeping an old structure standing is a non-leaking roof.

This square, flat roof barn is also over 100 years olds.  It is beginning to show some wear and will need to be repaired but the roof is still solid.

 This elongate barn was once used as a milking barn.  The roof has been repaired and is now keeping the weather out.

This structure is a bermed structure.  It is used to store propellant manufactured for the Army.  It was built during World War II.  It was built so if the propellant exploded it would blow up and out the front.  These structures are well maintained and are weather tight.

Old barn structures come in all shapes and sizes.  The well built ones that are still standing are a true testament to the men that built them long ago.

Goodbye 2013!

This has been an unusual year for this family.  It has had it ups and downs.  We moved into our new home, and a granddaughter was born. We had seven family members that died this past year.  Four uncles, one aunt, one cousin, and my mother the week before Christmas.

My mom came from a  family of twelve, six brothers and four sisters.  There is only one sister still living to represent the family.

This is a photo taken in 2008 at the last family reunion. Dick, the last surviving brother, died in January.  Ruth, in turquoise top, died in November.  Woody, my mom in denim , died in December.  Billye, in pink top, is the only surviving member of the family.

Hopefully 2014 will be a better year as we have two young family members that are ready to take on their roles in the family..our precious grandson and granddaughter.