Sometimes you don't notice the beauty that lives near you. I walk past these two barns regularly on my daily walks, and often I don't even 'see' them. They're beauties.
I love the red doors on this grey barn. The barn is on the Ohio State University campus and used for storing outdoor equipment.
These two photos were taken on the same day in August. Evidently, red barns are in style these days. Not that I am complaining--- I like red barns.
When you travel, you find all kinds of interesting places, not just coffee shops. Obviously, I love my barns. I could live there.
Terraced fields are a normal sight in Asia (we lived for a decade in Indonesia), but I don't often find them in the US. I spied this field on our trip home from Pacific Northwest. Eastern Iowa, I think. Terracing is actually a wise way to make use of a hilly area.
Does this count as a barn?
Well, I did miss yesterday's post. It's Sunday afternoon, the 26th. So I will try to post two times today to catch up.
June and July were mostly spent across the pond in Ireland, England and Wales, so I don't have many photos of American flora to share.
During August, we were on a road trip, traveling across the US to the Pacific Ocean following The Oregon Trail. There were purple flowers and honey bees.
And of course, there were barns.
It has been a cold frigid week. There's been snow. And ice. But there has also been sunshine. Isn't that how life is? Some warming, some cooling. How easy it is to focus on the cold and forget the warm which can push you down the 'life's a mess' trail. But it is better to think about the warm which is what Friday Fave Fives does. Susanne hosts an open group every week. If you join, you list five things from your life that have warmed you up this week.
1. I am now on day twenty-four of posting here at Willow's Cottage every day. One week to go!
2. As I mentioned above, our weather has been 'polar'. I don't think our outdoor temperature has reached 32F and have certainly been below 0F many evenings. The Professor and I both commented throughout the week how thankful we are for a warm home and a car that heats up quickly.
Not piles of snow but enough to make roads slippery and highlight the area barns with white surroundings.
3. The morning of our weekly coffee time with T and S, we arrived at our chosen coffee place to find it was closed. T and S were on their way. Thanks to cell phones, we quickly connected and changed directions and met up at another spot. What would we do without instant communication?
4. The below zero temperatures and intermittent snow caused the school district to close schools for two days. That meant Warrior Boy decided to come with us to coffee time.
5. Younger Daughter was in England for a week. We drove to the airport to pick her up, and Warrior Boy asked to come with us. Because of our schedule, we ended up going quite a bit early to the area around the airport. So we grabbed Panda Express at the mall. There was still more time to wait. The Professor and I did a fifteen minute walk around the inside of the mall, up and down stairs and around and around. We noticed a new cafe which seemed to be more of a coffee bar. Since there was still almost an hour before we needed to head over to the airport, we decided to grab some hot cocoa. Well... this place was a Capitol One Cafe "where banking meets living" (according to their website). We were very impressed with their hot chocolate and especially their customer service. We'll be visiting again. AND. Younger Daughter is home!
In light of the frigid weather across the US this week, I will continue to post flora from 2024 just to encourage us all that spring is coming.
APRIL
There's nothing better than walking along and crunching the leaves underfoot.
One favorite photo from August 2024.
I was at the right place at the right time. And so were the sun and the windmill.
If you have read my blog for more than six months, you will know that June and July were months that I spent three and a half weeks in Ireland, England and Wales. Honestly, I just can't choose a few pictures from the hundreds I took while I was across the pond.
So I decided to share just a few photos from before I left on June 13th.
Trail Life Crossover ceremony with our grandsons The New Boy and Warrior Boy
Do you remember April 2024? It was the month of the sun's eclipse.
Where we lived, it wasn't a total eclipse, but it was still a momentous occasion. And amazing.
This has been a whirlwind week. And it has been a week of blessings. Here are my Friday Fave Fives from week of many activities. The link will take you to Susanne's blog where you will find lots and lots more weekly blessings
1. Today we have had sunshine! After many cold and cloudy days, it was wonderful to wake up to sun. Driving home this morning from my Bible Study group, I reveled in the bright green of lawns and trees and in the white, pink, blue, purple and yellow blossoms which sparkled in the sun. Sometimes, we forget to appreciate the beauty that is right in front of our eyes, and this morning I was thankful for this reminder.
2. On Saturday, a friend and I drove an hour north to Amish country to attend a health/wellness/herbalism conference. The conference was great and I learned some important information. An added bonus is that we were across the road from Lehman's which is a large store stocked with so much interesting stuff. I needed a replacement chimney for my old oil lamp (which I love to use) and this store is the only place I have been able to find one. I always enjoy my trips with this friend.
Amish farmer plowing his field
Drive slowly and carefully in Amish Country because there is often slow traffic on the roads.
3. Our local beekeeper came this week to check on our hive. Every time he comes, I learn something more about the bees. We were also pleased to know and see that our hive is healthy and thriving.
4. After two weeks of not being able to meet with our coffee friends T and S because of sickness at their house, we had a great coffee and conversation time with them (and one other friend) on Thursday morning. Their fellowship always is an encouragement and joy to both The Professor and me.
5. We always enjoy walking with our children grandchildren and granddogs. This week we have had a few opportunities to get out and walk with them. Yesterday, we walked 4.25 miles on part of the TJ Evans Trail which weaves along the local stream, Raccoon Creek. The weather was perfect. The scenery was joyous. The puppies behaved.
Bonus: there are always fascinating barns everywhere!
For Old (and New) Barns.
Red Barns
