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Bringing back memories
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| December 27, 2013 |
This story (Mat-Su
landmark crumbles) brought back so many good
memories from my childhood. Our whole life revolved around the
barns of my hometown, from my own family's cattle and horses to my uncle's 150 acres
of hay that my cousins and I put in every summer for his
hundreds of cattle.
I made my summer money putting hay in for
all the farmers around Mossyrock, Washington.
My cousins and I made secret forts with tunnels all through my
uncle's BIG barn. Barns were home to many cats and kittens,
which were necessary to keep the mice population down. A lot of
the cattle had their calves inside the barn year after year,
they learned it was the safe place to give birth away from the
coyotes and black bears.
And my uncle and dad were there giving support if the calve came
breached.
We farmers were always helping each other in one way or another.
If one didn't get their hay in before it rained, we would gather
anyone and everyone available to help throw hay because wet hay
burns barns down.
I remember getting all my football team mates to help one time
We cared about each other back then.
What happened to that kind of community?
After each farmer got his hay in, the wives and sisters had a
huge meal outside for all the men and boys who helped out; fried
chicken, pies and fresh milk was always the reward for the hard
work. Prayers were answered time after time, year after year.
We always gave thanks before our our picnics. Life was so good
then.
I'm not sure we fully appreciated how good we had it then, even
though money was scarce, we were rich in community and no one
did without. I miss being able to saddle a horse and chase
around my girlfriends! Many a young boy's first kiss was in a
barn, mine was!
Thanks to you and Stewart for the flashback of better times. |
Damon Blankenship
Wasilla |
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