Tag Archive for: Stories

The Equipment Shed

An important building on any farm is the equipment shed. It’s the structure where machinery is stored out of the weather and often worked on.

While not as impressive as many barns or farmhouses, these sheds are still a vital part of the farm. They help to protect the family’s investment in equipment. These buildings are also a place where important conversations are held – often around tractor hoods and tires.

As I think about these buildings, I remember going with my father to a neighbor’s farm as a child. While it was fascinating to watch the hogs and cattle, I thought that it was more exciting if we went to the shed. It was always fun to climb on one of the tractors – especially if Dad was going to use it.

Looking at this picture, I wonder how many memories were made at that shed. One may imagine a child watching as his or her father worked on a piece of equipment. Or, think about the cold meals that were served and hastily eaten there as something was being repaired.

You may have a building like this on your farm – or, where you were raised. Perhaps, this picture will bring back enjoyable memories of conversations and tractor rides for you as well.

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A Tranquil Delivery

We often find unexpected beauty along the paths that our lives take.  That was the case when I delivered lumber to a new house being built at the end of this lane.

When I reached the delivery address, I found a narrow lane disappearing into the woods.  The first few dozen feet of driveway had grass growing in the middle.

Seeing the condition of the driveway out at the road, and not knowing where it might lead, I was a little hesitant to turn in.  However, the thought of carrying lumber to an unknown location was not a very attractive idea, either!  So, I started back the drive – grimacing at the number of tree branches reaching out to scrape against my truck.

Soon, the grass-centered drive gave way to a nice, gravel path that skirted a small, quiet stream that wound its way through the woods.  The filtered sunlight coming through the trees made for a tranquil scene that reflected peace and solitude.  As I entered the clearing for the new home, it was easy to see why someone would want to build back there.

Thinking about that drive through the woods, our lives often take unexpected twists and turns that lead us off into the unknown.  There are plenty of distractions that vie for our attention as we go through life – some good, others bad.

The journey may leave us with questions and doubts – and perhaps more than a few scratches and bruises as we travel along that path.

Yet, there’s also beauty along the road that we travel.  The people and opportunities that you and I encounter may be seen as blessings in our lives.  Along the way, they may offer moments of rest, refreshment and encouragement on our journey through life.

Seeing this picture, I’m reminded of the Twenty-Third Psalm.  Even though there are times when we may walk through difficulties and troubles, there is One who wants to walk with us – if we allow Him to.

Every new day, and each trip, offers opportunities for us to experience beauty in life.  Sometimes we just need to slow down, turn off the road and allow the Creator to guide us along that peaceful, calm stream.

Have a great day!

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  –  Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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An Old Stone House and Its Springhouse

There is an old stone house that sits along one of the gravel roads that led to where my grandparents used to live.  I don’t know the story behind the house; but, it’s pretty fascinating to look at.

The exterior is made of large cut stone – much like what is used in barn foundations.  Almost as impressive is the front door, which has massive wood jambs that fit the oversized exterior walls.

Over the years, the house and accompanying farm have become a country favorite for my wife and me to drive by.  Nestled among rolling hills, trees and pastures, and sitting along an old rural road, it’s picturesque and invokes memories of a time when life seems to have been simpler and slower – at least by today’s standards.

An old bank barn, equipment shed and corn cribs are all nicely painted and well maintained.

Perhaps, of all of the outbuildings on that property, it’s the old spring house that stands out in my mind as I write this.  Once a necessity to most farms, these little buildings have largely become obsolete – if they even still exist on farmsteads today.  This little structure stands in the shade of nearby trees, providing a ready source of cool water for the household.

One can almost hear children’s laughter coming from the springhouse as they splashed little toes in the water – or, perhaps tried their hand at catching little crayfish that might occasionally come out from hiding beneath the slippery rocks lining the spring basin.

You can see a man coming from the barn – stopping at the spring to splash some water on his hot, tired and dirty face in an attempt to look halfway presentable for supper.  Or, he may get a cool drink from an old granite dipper hanging on a nail in the building.

Then again, perhaps you can imagine the vegetables and melons that were placed in the fresh spring water to cool down for an evening meal.

As I think about that old farm, several thoughts come to mind.

I can’t help but think about the stability of the home. With those massive stones and the heavy front door, I imagine that it has the ability to withstand many storms.  It reminds us that in life, we all face various types of storms.  That house seems to ask me to consider Who I am placing my trust in and what am I allowing into my life.

My mind also wanders to the cool, refreshing water that may be found in that spring house.  As I think about the refreshment found there, it causes me to reflect on the ways that I find peace, joy and rest in my life.

Gravel roads often have a way of making us slow down.  Along the way, scenes like this old stone house and its accompanying buildings help us to reflect on what is really important in life.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Cost of Freedom

For many, Memorial Day is part of a three day weekend. It’s a time to get together with family and friends, have a cookout or go camping. For others, it is an opportunity to remember family and friends who have passed away.

Yet, the true reason of Memorial Day goes much deeper. It’s about a great debt.

Memorial Day is when America, as a nation, remembers those who have died while on active duty. Those brave individuals gave the ultimate sacrifice – offering their lives defending the ideals of freedom. On this day, we remember those who would never make it home to see their loved ones nor see old age.

As we spend Memorial Day with family and friends, let’s remember that freedom is never free.

Have a great day!

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Treat Others to the Best

Growing up just a few miles from this barn, it’s been a common sight for much of the last four decades for me.  While I’ve never used the product advertised, I have loved old barns.  So, it’s easy to understand why I have enjoyed seeing this barn and others like it throughout the years.  They are a part of America’s rural heritage and help us to remember times that were often simpler and happier – at least in our memories.

Barns painted with advertisements were a once-common sight across rural America.  As a means to reach passing motorists, companies would rely on these barns to promote their products.  In addition to a small stipend paid, these advertisers would offer the farmer a means of getting their barn painted – helping to preserve the integrity of the barn’s wood.  A win-win situation, if you will.

An early common advertiser was the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, who’s “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco – Treat Yourself to the Best” ads were painted on barns in more than twenty states.  These signs were painted by hand.  According to Wikipedia, the Mail Pouch program ran from 1891 to 1992.

While the Mail Pouch ads were the most common, other companies also painted their slogans and advertisements on barns.  In addition to barns, many other buildings were also used for canvasses for these promotional campaigns.  Feed and grain stores, tobacco companies – even tourist destinations such as Rock City, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, painted roadside structures in similar fashion.

In addition to barns, perhaps you may remember other rural roadside advertisements.

Perhaps, one of the most famous was the “Burma Shave” signs.  These ads would have several small signs in sequential order carrying humorous rhyming poems – with the last sign saying “Burma Shave”.  While these advertisements were before my time, I’ve enjoyed seeing pictures of them in different publications over the years.

These vintage barn and roadside signs are reminders that each of us displays messages every day.  Our actions often carry more weight than our words, and people often watch what we do to see if we can be trusted.  Regardless of whether we realize it or not, someone is always watching us – so let’s “Treat Others to the Best”!

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Calves and a Milkman’s Lesson

On a recent delivery to a dairy farm, I noticed several calf hutches near the driveway. Several young Jersey calves were resting at these enclosures. While I loved seeing the young animals, it also brought back another memory a day later as I thought back to that stop.

Seeing those Jersey calves brought back memories of my Grandfather. He hauled milk for many years – until I was around six years old. Grandpa is where I got my love for trucking. (He may also be partially responsible for why Dad has worked at a cheese factory for more than forty-five years – and, they both played a part in why I love farms and rural life.)

Growing up, I loved trucks. It was always exciting to go to my grandparents’ place and climb into one of Grandpa’s truck cabs. All of those knobs and buttons were very tempting for little fingers!

But, there was more to Grandpa than just trucks. He loved people – his family, and the individuals that he met over the years. People are where these calves come in. I remember hearing how Grandpa used to enjoy talking to farmers as he picked up their milk. He also enjoyed sharing a funny joke or good story – and likely, many of those farmers looked forward to his arrival to add some color to their days.

As I’ve grown older, I still enjoy trucks. I don’t always find their cabs to be the fascinating playgrounds that I did as a child. Yet, like Grandpa, I’m finding that trucking allows me to have a unique way to enter other people’s lives.

I don’t have the ability to spend long periods of time getting to talk to my customers. Yet, I still enjoy those few moments of conversation that I often have with various people. It’s a privilege to get to enter into the lives of others – earning their trust as they tell me their stories. Those moments aren’t something that I take lightly – but, believe to be an opportunity that God blesses me with.

The Jersey calves reminded me of an important lesson that I learned from Grandpa many years ago – that we’re seldom too busy to give a listening ear to somebody else.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Life and Boots

Work boots are one of my favorite forms of footwear. Ever since I was a young boy, I appreciated the hard work that they represented. Since then, steel toes have protected my feet many times. And if I’m being completely honest, since I’ve always been a bit vertically-challenged, I like the additional height that they offer.

These work boots have traveled a lot of miles – quite literally. In addition, they’ve supported a lot of weight – mine, and the heavy, bulky construction materials that I often have to shoulder. After wearing them for over two years, they’re finally worn to the point that they will need to be replaced soon.

My boots don’t look nice anymore. The leather is faded and cracked – with holes developing in the toes. They are tattered and worn – having survived many seasons of both weather and life. If you were to talk about them with my wife, she may also tell you that they don’t smell very nice, either!

These work boots resemble how some of us may feel. We may feel battered, worn and exhausted by life – like we’re falling apart. Fortunately, God never says that we’re too old to have value, or worn beyond usefulness.

This picture reminds us of the importance of hard work and commitment. It also is a reminder that young boys will become men one day, so parents, let’s raise them up well.

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Old Brick House

This farmstead sits just down the road from where my grandparents used to live. Ever since I was a boy, it has sat abandoned – causing me to be intrigued by this setting.

Old brick farmhouses built in this fashion are not as common around here as wood-sided structures. This causes me to wonder about the uniqueness of the place, and the family who might have built and called it home.

There’s beauty and a story in every house – and the life of each person. Even the most dilapidated structure or grievous offender can display the Creator’s love.

Every trip is an chance to see something new. It’s up to us to find diamonds – even in the rough.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Places I Go

You may have heard of the Dr. Seuss title, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”. Perhaps, you have even read that story.

Different things, like this picture, remind us of people who we’ve met, experiences that have been had and places where you and I have gone.

Each of our journeys look different. Yet, the ebbs and flows of our lives help us to be unique – allowing God’s love to be shown in different ways.

It’s been said that our lives are a gift from God – what we do with our lives are our gift to God. Let the journey and the places that we go be a means to see and reflect the Father’s love.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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What Are We Spreading?

A manure spreader doesn’t make for a real appealing photo subject to most folks.  I realize this – even if it’s horse-drawn, and found on an Amish farm.

I lived in the country when I was growing up.  Whenever one of the neighbors was spreading manure on their fields, Mom would sometimes ask my sister and me if we could “smell that fresh country air”.  To a former farm girl, I suppose that she figured that there weren’t many things more “fresh” smelling than newly-spread manure.  Perhaps, that was one of the reasons why she didn’t mind not having to farm as an adult!

We realize that manure is a natural fertilizer.  It provides valuable nutrients for the soil.  In addition, for farmers with livestock, spreading it on fields is a cost-effective manner of removing the livestock-generated waste material.

There’s another aspect of manure that many probably overlook:  how corrosive it can be.  I saw this firsthand recently, when I saw a farmer pulling a liquid manure spreader.  A large portion of the tank’s top had rusted away – likely from years of hauling waste, exposing the inside of the spreader.

Images of farmers spreading manure provide us with a couple of powerful lessons.

As manure helps crops grow, our words and actions can also have a positive effect on others – helping to encourage them.

However, we must be cautious.  Our words can take root like a random kernel of grain or a weed seed that may be found in manure.  Whether intentional or not, just like a manure spreader throwing its contents over a field, what we say and do can be thrown around in such a way as to inflict pain on others.

A manure spreader is a powerful reminder that we must be careful with our words and actions.  We can spread something that encourages growth – or, that is corrosive.

Let’s be sure that what we say doesn’t hurt and poison others.  Rather, may our lives and actions be lived out in a way that will promote and nurture kindness and grace to all who we may encounter.

Have a great day!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”  –  1  Thessalonians 5:11a (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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