THERE ARE fruit stands AND THEN THERE ARE FRUIT STANDS

Driving along rural Route 34 near Corvallis, Oregon one passes by a fruit stand that you cannot help but observe. Its main attraction, at least for me, is its size with hand painted art work on the structures along with painted lettering found on most exterior surfaces. 

Yesterday I was driving Rt 34 and decided to stop and and take some photos. I had not stopped at Jim's Fruit stand, as it is called, since I lived here for a few years in the early 1990s. 

I found full sized art jumping out from the building surfaces everywhere I looked. 

More art above. . . .

Jamie, who works at the stand mentioned that the original owner sold the business many years ago but then bought it back -- and has owned it to this day. How old is Jim's Fruit stand? At least 25 years old but probably more. 

A red barn dominates structures on the property. All the hand lettering attracts folks to stop at the fruit stand. 

Bunches of various flowers and vegetables 

wander throughout the property. 

Hollyhocks are in full bloom right now at Jim's. Fruit and/or vegetable stands come in different sizes and textures offering a multitude of offerings. I have noticed other smaller stands in my area -- I'll have to stop at some of them 

and have a good look around. 

FARM INGREDIENTS

A Barn -- A Truck -- Some Straw (hay?) Bales -- A Tractor

Out riding the roads a couple weeks ago and noticed this somewhat symmetrical pattern created by this barn with its truck, straw bales (could be hay?) and a tractor. I snapped a few photos of the whole composite. Figured the truck is essential for hauling farm goods, the straw bales are usually for animal bedding or if hay bales for feed and of course the tractor for many duties especially field work. The sky was gray-overcast that day so I cheated and used lightroom to add some blue in the sky. 

I want to mention that I have always appreciated the work of  the true farmers that work hard and long to grow food for our markets.

RURAL RUSTICS - HOOD RIVER AREA, OREGON

Mellow yellow is painted on these old vertical boards of this vintage tin roofed barn. Located near Hood River, Oregon upon one of the many farms that grow hundreds and hundreds of fruit trees for commercial use and also a place where you find many commercial vineyards. A lovely rural area. It still has a rustic feel to its landscapes and has a very low population of us humans.

An abandoned side-of-the-road building -- use unknown -- added some flavor as I passed through this area. What was its original use? 

Haven't you passed these remnants when you are out in the countryside and wondered about their former life?

RED DOOR SMALL BARN

A small barn with a red door will soon be hidden from view by the leafing out of the large trees that surround it. Sometimes we pass places that are hidden from view but with a bit of really looking we can discover some interesting sights. 

Have you ever discovered hidden places?

A BARN, A HORSE AND SPRING

A lovely red barn in Madison County.

Although yesterday was rather chilly and blustery, I felt that spring was in the air. I packed up my camera and hit the trail. Found lots of good material for my camera and talked with some of the country folks I met along the way. Southerns are some of the nicest folks. 


Today I even met a horse at one of my stops along a back-country road. It seems that horses are always interested in what I am doing when I stop by their pasture. Today this one was even giving me low sounding snorts -- whatever that means in horse language.


Got home late -- just as the sun was setting in a rosy colored sky. Soon it was dark and I heard a large flock of migrating Canadian geese flying overhead. I stepped out on my front porch and listened quietly to their honking as they flew north over my home.


A nice ending to a beautiful spring day. 

A beautiful spirited horse checking out what I'm doing with that black box I keep putting up to my face.

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH OUTBUILDINGS, A BARN, AND ANIMALS

There is a cluster of farm outbuildings with a barn that I have been eyeing  for some time as I thought they would be wonderful to photograph 

So a couple days ago I rode over to the spot with my camera thinking that it would be just me and the farm structures. But no, I found out differently once I stepped out of my little truck and starting taking photos.

First came the dogs, one by one

Racing down the road they came

Even a big Saint Bernard that wanted to check out the inside of my truck. 

All were friendly, they just hung around me while I took my pictures

When I had almost finished my photos I heard quite a sound coming up the hill in back of the barn. Then rounding the corner came mules -- then horses -- galloping toward a fence section near where I stood. Then they stopped and began looking me over very inquisitively. 

Mules taking a watch position in front of the barn.

Horses acted a bit bored with the whole thing. 

Now I had four dogs, two mules and two horses all closely around me.  I felt like I was at an animal party

As I finished taking photos, I thanked the animals for their hospitality. 

 Leaving the farm I took one last look at some of the official dog greeters. This was surely a new kind of experience for me.

OLD CLEAR CREEK BARN

In the autumn of its life - still standing proud

Rockcastle  County, Kentucky

OLD COY BARN WITH QUILT SQUARE

SERENE SETTING OF THE OLD COY BARN WITH  QUILT SQUARE

For several years now, I have been intrigued with this large section of agricultural land that  sits just off Route 25 between Richmond and Berea in central Kentucky. This land stretches back from the road for quite a distance. I always figured there was  possibly some story tidbits connected with this property. 

Above is one of the natural timber barns with some decor  making it appealing to drivers on Route 25. The main focus is the huge quilt square hanging on the barn's gable. Don't know the name of the quilt pattern but it sure dresses up the barn. Also, the white barn door and the metal ventilator atop its roof are nice antidotes to its charm. It is known that the Coy family owned the farm in the early 1900s. So the story goes they were cattle people headed by a male figure that was extremely frugal. 

If there was a house with this property it has since disappeared. At least from my view from Route 25.  As with so many of the older farms the house is usually the first to disappear leaving outbuildings only. Sometimes there is only mature tree configurations and a dirt drive to indicate human life lived on the land. 

I will be writing and displaying some photos of this farm in my next two posts. As I stated in the beginning this farm has always intrigued me. In my third post you will find out how I became a semi-witness to a scary story that happened on the farm in 2011. 

CONTROVERSIAL CONFEDERATE FLAG

About ten miles from where I live is the above barn with its hanging large confederate flag. A rural area. In the South it is not unusual to ride past a private home and or a private building that has a confederate flag displayed for public view. Sometimes even a truck has a confederate flag on a pole jammed into its back cargo area -- flying with the breeze as it rides along a road. 


Some say the flag represents history.


I say bull-shit to this.


I feel that it represents extremism. Especially racism.


This flag represents the part of South that I do not like.

SMALL VACANT HOMESTEAD

One wonders how long this home has been vacant as it sits aside a fairly busy road in Garrard County, Kentucky. Its weather beaten posture stands fairly straight as vines surround it like a boa chocking the life of its prey.

The house reflects its date of construction -- the early twentieth century when times were either tough or really good. During this time period bungalows were house models being pushed by many construction companies. In fact you could even buy them from Sears and Roebuck in a kit for you to assemble on your land.

This homestead was always a small operation as reflected by the unassuming barn. Now totally being taken over by weeds it still maintains its dignity as does the house. It probably was built with virgin white oak that was a popular building material  during the early twentieth century in Kentucky. White oak is an extremely durable building material that withstands years of abuse from the weather.

I call this outbuilding a chicken coop although I am not certain of its use. Many times, over the years, uses of outbuildings would change. Oral histories of family members that lived in the house would be a way to find out how it was used.

After I had walked a little on the property I looked up and saw a sign that told me I might be in trouble soon. It was a no trespassing sign. I hurried out to my truck and left quickly. I always respect those signs and completely missed it when I was taking photos just a few feet into the property. At least I didn't get any buckshot in my "you know what" as I was leaving.

QUILT SQUARE ON NURSERY'S OLD BARN

Preparing for the seasonal closing of a nursery, that sells mostly from its outdoor plant area, can cause as much hustle and bustle as the start of spring season. Winding down at a nursery can involve lots of organizing while at the same time chaos. Much like when you are doing major cleaning around your house -- you begin fairly organized, move to chaos, then return to getting everything back in place. 

The beautiful vintage barn above, with a graphic tulip quilt square on its gable, stands above the disorganization of the fall scene at the nursery.  Tulips, a symbol of spring, reminding us that the cycle of life returns after the winter ahead. 

ORGANICALLY GROWN -- RED KENTUCKY BARN

A barn resembles the organically grown complexity of plants. Plants are interdependent of its many integrated parts. 

Barns are a complex whole that is interdependent with its parts. 

Barns propagate new parts as need evolves.

Barn parts coexist as does plant parts. They both are an evolved system that requires nourishment. Without it they decline.

SECOND STORY RURAL BARN DOOR

OLD BARN
SILVERED WOOD CONTRASTS WITH BARN RED SECOND STORY DOOR
ROCKCASTLE COUNTY

SMALL TOWNS -- WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME

Father and son -- Dan Ledford and Dan Ward Ledford

Meet some native Kentuckians – Dan Ledford and his son Dan Ward Ledford (standing) who live near each other in the Paint Lick community. Dan Ledford is ninty-two and has lived in his home for about fifty years.  


This post is about ninety-two year old Dan. He represents a lifetime of living in rural settings. He and his mother came to Paint Lick on a train from northern Kentucky when he was a boy. His father moved their possessions to the Paint Lick area by horse and wagon.


As a young man he served in WWII overseas. After the war ended he came back to the Paint Lick  area where he soon was employed as a school bus driver.  


He drove the bus for the school district for most of his working years. As a school bus driver he figures that he accumulated about two million miles during his working career of driving school routes and for special school events.


Often Dan can be seen sitting on his large front porch where local folks honk a “hello” as they travel the road in front of his house. He sends back a big wave of his hand to them.


Paint Lick is a small town where everyone knows your name. 

Dan Ledford's Homestead -- Sitting Chair and Barn

Dan bought his house and 15 acres about fifty years ago under interesting circumstances.  While attending an auction, a friend encouraged him to buy the homestead up for bid. Dan told him he didn't think he had enough money but he would try anyway. But he found out he did have enough money as the homestead only went for 9500 dollars. When the auctioneer yelled, “sold”  he realized he was the new owner. This was in 1960 and the homestead has been his home ever since.

Dan's Historic Church Pew 

Dan has two children and is a widower. There has been some changes in the area  yet it's still basically a farming place. He intensely likes where he lives. A small American flag flies from a corner post of his front porch and Dan often wears a cap announcing he is a war veteran.  


He is the oldest member of the 1700s historic Paint Lick Presbyterian Church just down down the road from where he lives. There is one of the old Presbyterian church pews on his porch.  


All things considered, Dan is well entrenched in the cultural context of his area.

Dan Ledford sitting on his front porch

You might say that Dan characterizes many rural citizens in this country. Citizens with community pride who have worked hard along with family members toward a good life. That have lived in an area for many years while their family members often settle in and around that community. 


If you are ever in Paint Lick on Route 52 and see Dan sitting on his front porch – honk a “hello – he’ll send you back a big wave as everyone knows his name in Paint Lick.

RURAL DAY OF 58 DEGREES AND SUNSHINE

At last the sun is shining here in Central Kentucky and the temptures rose to an unbeliable 58 degree Fahrenheit. When I was growing up in Michigan we would call this the January thaw.


Spent the day outside and took a few photos. One is the old barn above with its vote for Holt for sheriff. No I don't know Holt. Notice the clear blue sky -- haven't seen one for weeks.

A perfect ending to the lovely day was this wonderful sunset seen from my front porch. I hope you are having a good weekend wherever you are.

OLD BARN -- OLD DOG

OLD DOG -- OLD BARN

I met up with this old dog on a large tract of vacant land. I was told he belonged to the caretaker of the property. We bonded and he politely showed me the highlights -- crooked trees, tall seedy weeds, rock boulders, tons of fallen leaves, secret passages in the ground, tiny water holes and an old unused barn. He was the master of this domain. It was an absolutely beautiful tour and I thanked him as I left with a few pats on the back and some soothing soft words.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND -- SUNDAY SIMPLICITIES

MY OLD BARN BEING SHOWERED WITH SNOW FLAKES

SAL INVESTIGATING SMELLS AT THE PASTURE GATE 

OLD LIL WALKING WITH ME SLOWLY -- LOVING THE SNOW

OAK LEAVES WITH A PATCHWORK OF SNOW

APPALACHIAN ADVERTISING BARN

KINGSTON ADVERTISING BARN - SIDE 1

Going... going ...  almost gone. That is the condition of a barn in the rural  Kingston community of  Madison County, Kentucky. With this decline one realizes the loss of a historic vernacular advertising barn.


Most folks are familiar with the Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco ads that are painted on barns, mostly found across the eastern part of the country. However, old barn ads cover a wide spectrum of products. In the case of the Kingston barn (above photo) we see an ad for Standard Motor Oil. 


Barn advertising was very popular during the period of 1900 to 1940. Companies paid barn painters to adorn ads on barns while the barn owners were paid a small stipend each  year. The advertising company was responsible to keep the ad freshly painted.  

KINSTONG ADVERTISING BARN - SIDE 2

This particular barn in Kingston has two sides painted. Each side has presentation to the flow of traffic in a particular direction. In the photo above one can see that the second painted side has most of its paint worn off and only the word GAS can be made out. 


It is difficult to date when this ad was painted on the Kingston barn. One local I talked with said he could remember the ad being on the barn since he was a boy about 45 years ago. Of course he also mentioned that it could have been there longer than 45 years. 


Today such painted barns can be considered historic landmarks. Some have been federally listed as National Historic Landmarks. Many are in decline or have been demolished. Efforts to save these artful treasures could bring community pride to rural areas. 


SOURCES:


Advertising Barns by William Simmonds


Rock City Barns by David Jenkins


Mail Pouch  Tobacco Barns,  Wikipedia