Barnstorming!

On the way to yoga class, down a winding country road, there's an old barn that grabs my attention every time I pass it. Finally I got a few photos of the charming place, thanks to my chauffeur stopping the car in the middle of the road so that I could lean out the window and grab some shots.

It's a two-part barn, which is interesting in itself, set on a slope so that one building is higher than the other.

It's charming and bucolic in the way that barns are
to city folk like myself.

But what really fascinates me is the sag in the middle where the two structures adjoin each other.

I didn't manage to get a photo that really shows just how much they dip in the middle but I tried for so long that night finally fell upon the scene.

Well, not really, but orange you glad that I played with the picture?

Here's the other end of the barn as we drive past it, heading home.

One last glance down the field
 between the barns and the farm house.

Hands up all those who can spot the cat in the grass!

For a completely romanticized version of this bent barn, just hop over to my art blog, Ragzedge.  It's well worth the exercise, I promise you, if you are at all romantically inclined.

Backyard bliss

My little corner of the world...

Just a little glimpse into where I'm hanging these days.

• Out back of the house, a rescued table and plastic chair, plus an old fish crate to rest my feet on, furnish a secluded corner to sit and read.
• An old crab apple tree provides a splash of pink joy while the stick fence seen in the background keeps the expectant garden contained (& deer out).
• One of many lilac bushes aburst with blooms.
• The woodpile grows in anticipation of winter, even though summer is not yet here.

A simple life.

Trespassers will be shot!

Driving down a back-country road the same day that I visited the tree camp (seen in previous post), I came across this picturesque old vehicle mouldering away in an otherwise empty field.

By "empty field" I mean just that...no houses, sheds, shacks, teepees, barns, dog houses, outhouses, sheep pens, hovels...nothing, zip, nada.  Just the old truck.

Of course I had to stop and get some pictures to cart back to my blog, but just as I was happily snapping away, a loud angry voice started shouting at me.

My heart dropped into my rubber boots as I turned and saw a large bearded man in a black tee-shirt and jeans, accompanied by a big black dog heading my way.

All the colour seeped out of my world when he hollered,

"Whaddya think yer doin'?!"

"Well, I'm just getting some pictures of this old car, if you don't mind.  I mean, if you don't want me to, I won't," I squeaked in reply.

His surly retort? "Well, I don't have my shotgun with me...

 I guess you look okay. 

But really...you shoulda asked!"

I hurriedly grabbed a few more shots 

and then motored on out of there.

Before I left, the guy informed me that the vehicle 

was a 1948 or '49 Willys Jeep.

I guess that meant he'd forgiven me.

Can't say I felt the same towards him.

Looks like I'm not in Lotus Land any more, but some would have it that I've returned to Paradise.

 

My cohort, Pierre, kept himself very busy tending his garden during the two months that I was out west and now I get to savour the fruits...er...veggies of his labours. 

Here's a sight I didn't see out in Vancouver too often...

or ever.

And here's a scene I never get tired of trying to photograph, out walking along the lake road.

 I'm back in the hills, back in the maritimes, back in blogland.

I just have to get my ass act in gear!

Do Fence Me In

Country living has its charms.  Deer are sweet to behold wandering down from the woods, coming to nibble on branches and grass in the yard.  Not so sweet to see when they are grazing at the "salad bar" laid out in the garden.  Hence, the need for fencing.  En garde, critters!  We're going to stick it to you.

The garden was planted by Pierre.  The fence was hand hewn by Pierre.  The plants have been coaxed and encouraged and watered by Pierre.  The deer were lectured by Pierre.  The plants mostly listened and responded in a cooperative manner by growing edible bits.  The deer listened but clearly did not understand. Security was breeched!  Hoof prints were found!  Leaves and veggies had been nibbled!  Some recent reinforcement seems to have largely discouraged further entry by the four-leggeds.  (And, yes, there is actually a gate but it has been moved aside so we could go pick a few veggies for supper).

This is how the fence was begun, back at the end of June when it first became clear that the deer were anxiously awaiting the dinner bell.  Pierre gathered the sticks, mostly from deadfall in the woods out back and put it together all on his own.  No help whatsoever from me, other than offering smiling encouragement.

It's perhaps not quite up to the standards of the garden walls at Fortress Louisbourg (a replica of the French fort originally built in 1713 in Cape Breton NS)  but I think it's pretty impressive in its rustic authenticity.  And it's doing a pretty good job of discouraging all but the smallest of deer, who can manage to squeeze between or under the bars...but they'll be getting big soon, especially if they keep on nibbling the peas and beans.

Linking up with Rural Thursday
over at Nancy's A Rural Journal