Putting Things in Perspective

May 2014 - Kinley & Grandpa take a trip to the barn.

Perspective is a great teacher. Yesterday, I showed photos of a grand old barn that fell after 105 years as a community landmark. On Facebook, I have seen photos of house roofs blown away and semi trailers tossed like Matchbook cars amid crumpled grain bins and hog barns. Some of our friends and church members still don't have electricity, while we only lost ours for a few hours.

So, I hesitate to talk about the damage to barns we rent. But, one of the goals for Kim's County Line is to have a record of our life here on the Stafford/Reno County line. So, I guess I'll do it anyway, knowing how blessed we are that the barns are still standing -- and that I can power up my computer to write this in the comfort of my home. 

We rent a barn and corrals just to the east of our home. Though we don't know the exact date, it was probably built around 1938. Since it's only a few hundred yards away from the house, we use those facilities for calving out heifers. It makes it easier to check on the heifers, who are giving birth for the first time. It's also where we installed our calving pen, a contraption that helps us if we have to assist a heifer during the birthing process.

Just like most of the barns in this part of the country, it's been standing a long time, and it isn't in the best shape anymore. But the storm blew the west door into the alleyway. The guys will have to figure out a fix or it will be a bit colder during the 2016 calving season next winter. 

The top of the barn is definitely bowing more after Thursday night's winds.

It's where we load out cows and calves from this location, so the guys will have some work to do before we start taking them to pasture in early May.

Another barn door blew off at the location we call "the round top." The barn at that location is even older, probably 75 to 100 years old.

It's also a place where our cattle can find shelter during the winter.

Our semi filled with hay was parked near the round top, and it lost a mirror when pelted with hail. But, again, we were fortunate. Just a mile across the section to the west, another old barn blew into pieces.

Part of it and its contents ended up in our wheat field.

But, as I said, perspective is a good barometer. We are grateful for minimal damage at the County Line.