Fences come in all sizes and shapes. Some are store-bought, some designed by general fencing contractors, and of course some by the home handy-person.
My daughter designed and laid-out a lovely fence years ago. Together with her husband and boys they installed the fence and had many stories to tell about its construction. Her family working together not only created stories to tell but provided lasting warm family memories.
A few weeks ago I stumbled across a homemade picket fence in Madison County. Although it was different than my daughters it had the hand of the maker's "signature" on it. Its personal touch could be seen on the pickets and the picket gate. It was charming in its country setting.
I surmised that the fence had been in place a couple of years at least. Its precut pickets appeared to be from a lumber store and stood about four feet high. Unpainted, they looked weathered and aged. The gate had some blue paint applied on its upright gate posts which blended with the graying of the pickets.
One could say this is just another fence but I feel homemade anything brings life into the equation. Surely, you must have several homemade items that when viewed are more than just objects -- you may see, hear, and feel the objects almost as if they were living.
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI like to think of these objects as handmade. Just yesterday I marveled at a hand stitched blanket a friend made for my wife. I could see and feel the thoughts of love she must have felt from beginning to end. Family projects such as your daughters ever so special.
A beautiful piece and quite a bit like a piece of folk art. I like how the vines have curled around the pickets.
ReplyDeleteGrampy -- Yes, your wife's blanket, handmade by a friend is an example of what I was writing about in my post. Other examples could be a drawing made especially for a grandparent, a hand whittled ornament for the Christmas tree, an embroidered piece of material made by a daughter for her mother and so many other examples. All inanimate objects yet alive in some ways. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteFarmchick -- I agree with you -- the fence is like a piece of folk art. I thought the gate post looked as if they were made from an old wooden drapery rod? Thanks for stopping -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI love the picket fence and have always wanted one. I love anything homemade and I am lucky to have a son who can provide me with homemade items - when he has the time.
ReplyDeleteThere's just something about old fences; I love them all. Pickets and split rails being my favorites!
ReplyDeleteI like old fences -- they lend character!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. It's so true, when you make something from scratch it takes on a life and beauty of its own, with special meaning to the maker.
ReplyDeleteI love the story about your daughter and family building a fence together...something I would never have thought of doing, but now thinking about it, it seems like such a wonderful and comforting idea...something that will be part of your home and garden for years as a long-lasting souvenir of family and creativity, and the satisfaction of doing things for yourself.
Rose -- I imagine that you have many items that bring forth memories of either family or friends. I believe the folksy fence in my post reflected a sense of place for the individuals that lived there. In Ky there are many country places that have a small vacant home on the property that once belonged to a certain family elder who built the house -- now its role is comforting memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by -- barbara
Kay -- I too like to see picket fences marching along a piece of property -- no matter if old or new. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteMama-bug -- Yes, split rail fences are beautiful. I don't see very many around here even though Abe Lincoln was from this state and was a rail splitter while he lived here. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJanet -- now you know what you can ask your son for on your birthday -- a picket fence. My son build a short run of picket fencing for me with me designing how the pickets would be patterned. It was a small fun project. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI love picket fences (doesn't everybody?), they're so charming, and I think the look of this one is wonderful! Good for these folks for making it themselves instead of buying a vinyl one from a big box store!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sharing a really whimsical picket fence in one of my Colorado trip posts that I think you'll really enjoy, Barbara! :-)
I like the way the vines are working to reclaim the fence.
ReplyDeleteLaloofah -- I look forward to viewing your whimsical picket fence. Pickets exude such an informal charm to a property. Yes, I like to see homemade fences too. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteSheri -- Do you think those vines are morning glories? They always leave such entangled vines on my trellis after they have run their course. -- Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful Barbara....you always capture the essence of peace and tranquility!!
ReplyDelete~Ronda
Ronda -- Thanks for the nice comment. I stopped by your blog Simple Thyme Picture Trails and enjoyed it. -- barbara
ReplyDeletei love your blog. i saw this fence photo the other day and posted it on my facebook with a link to your website. i hope that is okay, but if it isn't please let me know.
ReplyDeletejessaka -- thanks for the nice comment. It sure is OK to link me to your facebook. I link to other blog and web sites all the time. I am not on facebook -- maybe someday? -- barbara
Deletethank you!!!
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