Old Barn

Why I like Old Barns

When I was a young kid, early 50s, we lived in the country. Our nearest neighbor was at least 4 or 5 houses away as it stands today. We had space to roam and we knew each other in the neighborhood; and watched out for each other. The thing about being in the country is that people had barns. Barns seems to have so many functions, important functions kids will remember. Besides housing some animals, they stored feed and tools; lots of things for kids to get into.

What sets in my mind about barns is that there was usually at least one special function each year at someone's barn. The best were the Halloween surprises. Usually at least one family would decorate, set up the barn for kids Trick or Treat. The decorations consisted of sheet ghosts, scarecrows looking scarier than usual, and carved pumpkins. They would have candy apples, cider, cupcakes, and a big galvanized tub for apple dunking.

Apple dunking, you say, what is that? Well, you play the game of diving your face into a huge tub of water with apples floating and grab one with your mouth. Oh, did I mention you have to keep you hands behind your back. If you are lucky, the owner of the tub will not put ice cold water in the tub. Oh but it sure adds to the fun of it all when they do!

It is funny, as I think back how my mind is triggered about the scents, especially of fresh bales of hay. Oh sure there are those unmentionable aromas of a farm that one doesn't like to think about, but as a kid, that is a small matter. Believe me, it was all worth it.



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