Tuesday, August 21, 2012

In search of charm . . .





As most of you know by now, I live on the gulf coast and although Texas is cattle country I don't run into many barns in my daily travels. Sailboats, fisherman, sand and sea, but not many barns. You know what that means (she says with a sheepish grin), road trip!

The weekend rolled around and my hubby agreed to be my chauffeur partner in crime. We left around 10:30 and were gone for eight hours. Yes, we had ourselves a little adventure.
 
He suggested that we drive to Brenham as he thought that might be a better place to find what I was looking for. That's a two hour tour, each way, but that's okay, I'm always up for a drive. We just flew by the seat of our pants, as we usually do, eventually finding ourselves driving down a few gravel roads for what seemed like forever.

But I knew we were getting closer when we started seeing this . . .



And then around a couple of bends and up a hill or two, there it was . . . what I had been looking for. And it was beautiful, but I have never seen so many grasshoppers in one place in my life. I got out of the car, of course, and as I walked they just started flying everywhere with some even landing IN the car. I don't say eww much when it comes to critters, but EWWWW, I'm really not a fan.



And then around a few more corners, I found my barn! An old barn, full of that lovely barn charm.



And as I was looking through these photos I was thinking about our fascination with barns, but mostly with old barns. I was wondering why are we so enchanted by something that is falling apart, peeling, missing its stair parts and sometimes no longer able to inhabit the very animals for which it was built. I mean we live in a society that wants the newest up to date technology, cars, houses, (cameras) and most perplexing is that we live in a society where people are obsessed with aging. Or should I say, preventing the aging process. And to be fair, this is something that has been going on for many, many generations through time, but it seems to be growing and with a sense of urgency.

For some reason, when we look at old barns like this, we are able to see beyond the outer layer. We also see the beauty in its history, the missing parts and yes even in its brokenness. Because it's simply in all of this that we can imagine all of the wonderful stories, adventures, and of the rich wisdom it could tell  . . . if only barns could talk.

So I'm wondering why, in our pursuit for youthfulness, have we forgotten to look beyond not only our own outer layers, but that of others. We too have beauty in our history and our run down and missing parts, and need to get back to embracing that charm that age can bring, because it's in our brokenness that we have so much to share with others.

Today, my challenge to you while seeking those barn photos, is to also seek the charm in yourself and others. Peel back those layers and share what you find with us in our Flickr group.



Our little adventure didn't stop with the finding of the barn. Join me today on my personal blog, here at  Picking Poppies, as I found some more charm at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm.

Happy Tuesday!

 

14 comments:

Nadege, said...

A charming barn...certainly a great find.

Sherri B. said...

Lovely photos...your images today look a lot like my country drives in Virginia. I love your thoughts on barns...I feel the same way about rusty things. They're so beautiful!

heyjudephotography said...

Great photos Kim. I love pathways, and roadways, that lead your eye down them, as this one you have here does. I do love the missing stairs on that old barn! It is certainly easier to see the charm in an old barn, than in oneself, but great food for thought!

Linda said...

Great post, Kim! It's so true that we see beauty in falling down barns but not in the mirror as things start to fall down!
You're adventure looks like fun! And you photos are so good!

xo,
Linda

Carol said...

Kim , you took it to the next level.This is a beautiful thought and so true. Inspiration comes in many forms , and your thoughts here are pure inspiration to be kindr to ourselves and each other. And , I LOVE that barn! It might be my favorite yet! See you over at Poppies!

Dotti said...

Ahhh, such a lovely tour through your neck of the woods! I thoroughly enjoyed it through your fabulous photos. And ... are you ready for this? I drew almost the same parallel you did a la barns mirroring our lives, how we start out fresh and new and change over the years until we're, well, let's just say, past our prime. BUT! I find a dignity in that. Just as these barns encompass character and dignity as they age ... SO DO WE!!!

:-D

Claudia said...

Ahhhh Girl what a lovely post. I really like all of your photos, and like many of the others your barn is PERFECT!! Great composition but I really like they way you processed them all.

Your words of wisdom are very true too. Hopefully our childrens children will start respecting and loving the wisdom that comes with starting fresh and growing and weathering and are still found to be beautiful.

Hugs!

Deanna said...

What a wonderful adventure you had...love those barns and you are so right about our fascination with the "old barns". Your words are always an inspiration to me and today was right one.

terriporter said...

Wonderful post, Kim! Beautiful photos for sure but I really love your comparison between the old barns we love and our aging selves which so often we do not. I don't think I would have thought of this comparison but it is so true. It sounds like you had a wonderful adventure with your "partner in crime"!

Honey from the Bee said...

Love love love barns...old barns, barns that have been taken care of... nothing is more beautiful and sad than an old barn that has started collapsing.

Unknown said...

Thoughtful.
And true.

Anonymous said...

Great adventure and such lovely photos! Thanks for sharing!

stephmull said...

love that you went on a road trip! I think this theme has encouraged everyone to get out and explore the areas around them! You found some wonderful scenes!

Marilyn said...

Love your old barn. As you know I grew up in Tennessee. When I visited there a few years ago, I would come across old tobacco barns with "See Rock City" painted on their roof or side. Rock City is a rock garden on top of Lookout Mountain. It has an incredible view of seven states. I remember all this growing up but it was so much fun to see that there are still many of those old barns.

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