Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Wisconsin Barns and The Golden Thread

This barn (shed) is in the Westby area.
I took the photo in September.
Oh, to see green grass again! 

Why is it, that as soon as the snow comes, it seems like it's been winter forever. Maybe it's just me. But I'm not going to wish the winter away. I've read the story of  'The Golden Thread.'  Are you familiar with that story? It goes something like this:  A boy's life was represented by a spool of golden thread. When he became bored, he pulled on a little of the thread to get past the boring part. When he got tired of waiting for something, he would pull out a little more of the thread. All too soon, he had pulled out all of the thread because of his impatience. His life was near its end, but now it was too late to live all of his life as it was meant to be. 

So I won't be pulling any of the golden thread of my life. We never know what tomorrow will bring. We might find ourselves wishing we could relive those cold days in December 2014.

To either of my daughters:  If you know the story, please feel free to correct it in a comment. You know I'm not the story teller in the family. I'm the list maker and outliner. Your father can tell a wonderfully embellished story. I'm the one who sticks with the facts, ma'am, just the facts.


 In My Neighborhood

The barn above is really a double corn crib with a roof. It has storage on either side for ear corn and a place in the middle to store machinery out of the rain. The photo was taken in November, believe it or not. Everything's now snow covered.

Barn faces Hwy O

We're looking at the back, where there seems to be a mini junk pile.
This farm is as neat as a pin.
I wonder what it's like to have all one's junk contained in such a small area.
They must be very uninteresting people. (LOL)



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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

44 comments:

Sandi said...

That Golden Thread story really makes you think!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

it is icy here today. so the weather is very strange lately. you never know what might be on the ground or happening around here. yesterday was n the 70's now it is in the low 30's ... so wild. ( :

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful barns! We have green grass here again. Most of that foot of snow is melted. The story you mentioned sounds familiar and is a great reminder not to wish life away. Have a blessed day.

Bethany Carson said...

Enjoyed the photos of the barns! The golden thread story is a good reminder to cherish each moment. Good for that farmer--keeping all his junk in one place! My family has gotten a couple jobs cleaning up a few old farms for scrap metal: some people have it all over the place. Sometimes we have some at our place, but always take it to the junkyard as soon as possible!

Theresa said...

Love the barn pics and that story! I am going to research it:) Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

Lynne said...

Surprising your snow remained and ours has vanished!
Thanks for the Golden Thread story . . .

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

Wow, all their junk in one little pile? I could fill up that whole barn with all my junk!

Cheryl said...

"The Golden Thread" (whether you've included all the embellishments or not) is something to ponder. How wise...to live in the moment. Reminds me of an Elisabeth Elliot quote that I like... "Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not clearly see what is required of me now."

Yes, that is a small junk pile! :)

Nancy said...

I marvel at the farms in the Midwest and their hidden piles of junk. The farms/ranches in my area don't bother hiding the stuff. Seems like this place has struck the middle ground.

Love the story of the golden thread.

Angela said...

Well, as one of the daughters, I can tell you that I have never actually heard the story of the Golden Thread! So I couldn't correct you even if I wanted to. :)

Arlene G said...

I have never heard that story Judy..thanks for sharing. And if you want to escape winter, spring is back here in Alabama. It is in the 70s during the day! I am not complaining just stating a fact. I like to save on my heat bill!

Debby Ray said...

Wow...these are just beautiful, Judy. I agree with you about not wanting to use up all of those golden threads of life too soon...what a lovely story :)

TexWisGirl said...

really like the cool corn crib. just don't see too many of those any more!

MadSnapper said...

that is a cool looking corn crib, have not seen one like it. i saw quite a few in KY but none this big or nice.. i like the golden thread story and will try to remember to not pull that thread any more than i have to...

Diane said...

Lovely pics as usual. Yes, we sort of wish our lives away to get through the bad, boring stuff. Human nature, I guess.

L. D. said...

I like all the barns and the story. Our corn cribs like that did not have such a wide open bay between them. A tractor could barely past through the opening.

podso said...

I've never heard that little story. That second picture is to me a "Classic" barn picture. Our cold weather predicted for days never arrived. But that's how it is here. Yesterday people wore shorts at the shop; today it's a little colder but not cold. You can tell I'd like some cold weather!

Tom said...

Around here, only Amish farmer use corn cribs. The red barn is beautiful, fresh snow would make it even better. Tom The Backroads Traveller

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

I love the barn and the story. xoxo

Terri D said...

I just love barns. You show us such interesting ones, too! If I won the lottery, I might be inclined to save an old barn and turn it into a comfortable home. I love seeing that done!!

The Golden Thread story is a good one to remember at the end of this (or any) year. We do tend to wish our lives away, pining for Fridays all the time, and wishing away bad weather! Thanks for the reminder to just be patient!!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Beautiful barns and interesting story - I have not read it. Funny about not being the 'story teller' in the family. I am not able to tell a joke. I always mess it up and the joke's on me! he he. Hope your week is warm and cozy. Hugs xo Karen

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Oh how I love the beauty of a rural barn :)

Hootin Anni said...

LOL on the boring people who own the barn. Neatness is a sickness. rofl.

Today 'tis chilly here...Yesterday it was mid 70s then the bottom fell out by the dinner hour. Darkness fell, the wind blew fiercely, and the temp dropped 20 some degrees in less than an hour. I didn't mind at all...after all it is nearing winter.

That first barn photo has so much charm.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love all the barns, especially the corn crib one. The boards are so sparse on the sides, maybe it needs ventilation? I LOVE your story!!! Is it a book I could buy? This is also why Paul tells us to run the race not looking back or forward. Live in the moment no matter what the moment is.

LV said...

The barns went from one extreme to another. Nicely done.

A Colorful World said...

Fabulous barns! I liked your golden thread story. What's ironic, is that all of the thread was gold and beautiful...by pulling it out to get past something, he was missing out on that part of the beauty!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Loved the story. No snow here, but lots of rain and gray skies. Good staying inside weather. xo Laura

Primitive Stars said...

Great story, enjoyed. Snow here already, it is Winterpeg after all :) Francine.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I've never heard the golden thread story and had to laugh when your daughter commented she hadn't either. :-)
However I do recall a presentation many years ago when the gal said our lives are like are like a ball of string unwinding into the future, and we don't know where it will lead us.
That is the tidiest farm I've ever seen, the owners should be proud.

September Violets said...

Nice barns. I feel the same that winter white seems like it's been there for months! We're getting a dusting tonight. I've not heard the golden thread story either, but even your succinct retelling gets the point across ;) Treasure all moments. Why do people think that tidiness is a sign of dullness? That farm just needs some gardens to soften the edges. Enjoy your evening. Wendy x

Michelle said...

I haven't heard that story before, but what a wise story it is.

Valerie said...

Dear Judy,
I so love your pictures. They just make me smile. =) Thank you for that. I love that little story about The Golden Thread too! What a precious reminder.
Blessings and holiday wishes,
Valerie

Gail Dixon said...

I enjoyed the thread story too! Two beautiful barns, both in their own way. One just needs some tlc.

Stephanie said...

Love the old barns!

Lorrie said...

These are great barns, love that barn red color. We might not have stuff laying around the yard but there's plenty of junk indoors, so I don't know if that makes us interesting or boring!

Anita Johnson said...

OK, that story is a great visual for time...certainly made me think!

Suzan said...

Neat photos of barns!!
We just returned from Ohio!!! They also have lovely barns!!!
Nice story!!! Does make you think!!

This N That said...

Wonderful barns!!. Our weather is crazy..70's two days ago..20's yesterday..almost 50 today!! Grass is green..still doing leaves..

Red Rose Alley said...

Judy,
I've never heard the story, "The Golden Thread." It sounds interesting. I chuckled when you mentioned your daughters correcting you, because now and then my daughters want to correct my grammar on my posts, and I tell them, "I know what the right grammar is, that's just the way I talk." It's always a treat to see your red barn pictures. They have so much charm and history.

Enjoy this Christmas season.

~Sheri

Amy Burzese said...

Never heard that particular story, but it does make one think. Lovely barns as always!

Anonymous said...

I've never heard the story, but it holds a good message. I'm with you, just the facts.

Ida said...

I've never heard the Golden Thread story but it is very true. One should not wish one's life away or to go back in time either as there is so much ahead to look forward too and so much to enjoy in the present.

Great barns. - I know though how you feel about the weather. It's been awful here the last couple of days (ice) instead of (snow) and I think I'd rather have the snow at this point.

Roan said...

Love the golden thread story. That old corn crib really catches my eye. My best friend in grade school had one. We used to play hide and seek in there. Lots of fun memories.

Michelle said...

Oh my, is there actually a Highway O?

We had some cool Christmas type weather, for a few days.
Now it is in the high 60's - 70's.
I do hope we have cooler temps for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!

xoxo

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