As you can see, this year the field behind the barn is planted in corn (or maize, as it is known in other parts of the world).
Friday, July 07, 2006
round barn
My grandpa's sister and her family built this barn. Her decendants still own the farm. There is a large reunion held here each year, attended by relatives from all across the country. My immediate family has been attending since long before I was born. Not everyone has the opportunity to know their third cousins, or their first cousins, twice removed. I'm grateful that I know some of mine.
As you can see, this year the field behind the barn is planted in corn (or maize, as it is known in other parts of the world).
As you can see, this year the field behind the barn is planted in corn (or maize, as it is known in other parts of the world).
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2 comments:
What an amazing barn! I've never seen anything like it. Is that a normal barn shape in America? It looks like something from a fairytale to me.
You are really lucky to know so many members of your extended family. My cousins are spread across Canada, the US, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Lithuania, Russia, France and Britain - so you can imagine I've hardly met any of them :). When I do get the opportunity I love tracing resemblences, finding unexpected things in common, and sharing different versions of the same story, passed down the generations through Chinese whispers!
Barns in north America are usually rectangular. Round barns are unusual. This one was built round to accomdate dairy cattle. The cows stood in (most of) a circle to be milked, and the hay could be forked down to them, over the edge of the loft. Its shape is unusual, and its good condition even more so -- many barns of all shapes have fallen into complete disrepair. This barn is not in use (well, not farm use, reunion parties are held there!), but is beloved by its owners as a symbol of their industrious and foresighted predecessors, so they take pains to see that it is maintained.
It is very unusual for people to get to know their extended families in this country, too. Having this farm, which allows a reunion to take place at a given time every year makes it easier. People camp on the river behind the farm, and sometimes people with kids will camp for a week or so. That really allows time to get to know people who may live hundreds of miles away. I'm lucky to be able to be part of it.
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