As a little girl, growing up in Illinois, my parents always loved taking a "Sunday Drive" out in to the country. My mother grew up on a farm, and her family still lived out on the farmland away from the city. I was always amazed looking at these wonderful family farms. They looked like independent little cities to me. I also loved looking at the old family farm houses.... thinking of all of the families who had lived with their families... their prayers, hopes , and dreams over the years. I could imagine the homemade cotton curtains blowing in the gentle breeze coming in from the prairieland, and little girls laying on their beds reading their favorite books and dreaming their dreams... the smells of homemade bread wafting up from the kitchen. The pain and sacrifice when the rains did not come, or the cows got a disease.
I look at these farms as the basis for American life, family, and the American dream. It is a testament to these farmers, to have been able to keep this dream alive all of these years with their hard work , prayers, and love for the land.
Joining today with Madge at the Rurality Blog Hop! Also linking with Bonnie at Photo Art Friday, where Bonnie challenged us to use several of her textures and add one of our own photos. I processed this second picture using three of Bonnies textures, trying to give the effect of remembering the past happenings at this old farm house in the midwest.
We have so many family farms where we live here in rural Maryland. It is not an easy way of life and it always fascinates me how generation after generation of family members dedicated themselves to the land and hard work! Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved farms and farm houses - they have a certain peaceful charm to them. As someone who has spent 50+ years in suburbia, my farm fascination has never wavered.
ReplyDeleteWe took drives like that too and I always thought I'd live and raise a family on one of those farms or ranches. Didn't happen but oh how I love to see those places and hope that they are still family run!
ReplyDeleteMost of the farms around where I grew up are still family owned and run! Amazing to me in these times, but is a testament to the love of the land
ReplyDeleteI agree. My Mama grew up in a farm too but resettled herself in the city and met my Papa who also came from the province. I remembered how they always found the time to go back to where there are wild open fields and view of mountains. This post brings good memories ;-)
ReplyDeleteLovely memories from your childhood. I like how you compared farms to small cities!
ReplyDeletepretty deep thoughts for a little girl...i feel the same way looking at old family farms, or abandoned farm houses...i hope my kids grow up and appreciate these country drives we take them on like you did. love the effects on that 2nd photo!
ReplyDeleteI really like what you did with the processing on that last photo. You just go to prove you can take the girl outta the farm..but you can't take the farm outta the girl :)
ReplyDeleteI have such respect for those who experience the farming life...it's hard work and seems to build such character in the people who live it. I also have childhood memories of going for drives in the country when we'd visit my Grandma in Ohio. I always loved those country roads leading us through fields of corn on either side...we'd stop at one and buy fresh eggs and corn on the cob. Thanks for letting remember that, Jeanne - I loved your images and your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful pictures! When I was a child, we would go visit Grandma and Grandpa on the farm during the summer, it was always such fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd it becomes more difficult every year to keep things going...and to compete with the huge corporation farms. Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteYour post has triggered memories of visiting my grandparents farm which was very close by......I loved helping her feed the chickens and gathering eggs and then her wonderful meals around a big farm table.....
ReplyDeleteI really like the effect you got with the texture in the second photograph....Great post and thank for the memories....
Nice barn shots your music always takes me away so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteSaun
there is something really special about the humbleness and warmth of country living in days of old. Country living is still a great place to be though times can be quite tough these days especially to the farmers whose livings have been thwarted by governments buying their produce from overseas instead of at home.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom was born and raised on a farm, many of her sisters stayed in the farming communities so as a kid I spent many happy days visiting uncles and aunts on the farm, raising, sheep, chickens & crops. Oh the stories my Mom would tell of growing up a farm girl. Not an easy life for sure. Never used that type of filter before so sure can't offer any advise.
ReplyDeletelove the harvesters.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the country. It wasn't a farm but we had a huge garden and put up lots of food.
ReplyDeleteMy brothers helped neighbors put up hay. I moved away after college and lived for 30 years in the suburbs. When my husband retired we moved back to our roots and bought a five acre plot of land. We don't farm at our age but I do know the feeling of loving the land enjoy the farms around me.
I wouldn't mind a big old farmhouse with my kids and grandkids all under the same roof.
Lovely post!
My favorite memories on a farm were with the animals. Taming the milk cow's calf and making a pet out of her. Trying to hold a baby pig or, not so fun, having the family horse accidently step on your toe. Rural life is where our values were sown and the losing of that life speaks to where we are today in our beautiful, but struggling country. I pray that we will find our way before all is lost. I love the picture, Jeanne. I spent many years on different farms and they all had that homey commonality that you have captured. Very nicely done as are the words that you always share with us.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
very thoughtful post!
ReplyDeleteLovely capture... country memories... God bless our farmers! Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #5' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #6...
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely post and such sweet and gentle thoughts. I, too, love the music and visiting your blog BEcause it always lets me take away something I think about for the week. this week it is the girls on their beds reading and dreaming their dreams. sometimes I have to remind myself that I was a dreamer long ago and that Now I can shake out those dreams and bring them into the Present...
ReplyDeletexoxo
I like the addition of the writing in your second photo, like letters from the past, or a story! Farming is so important to our way of life here, but sadly so many take it for granted!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. I almost felt as if I was there with those little girls reading on there beds while that fresh bread smell wafted through the air. Your piece is wonderful, such a neat looking home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece of photo art, Jeanne! Stirs up so many lovely feelings within. Happy cruising!
ReplyDeleteI love how you layered your textures on but yet kept the focus of the house intact. Wonderful. Valerie
ReplyDeleteGreat Photo Art Friday piece! I really love the effect you created.
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