I INFORMED MY HUSBAND that I would focus on photographing houses, rather than barns, on a recent 600-mile round trip from Faribault, Minnesota, to Appleton, Wisconsin.
He didn’t believe me. And he was right not to believe.
Yes, I snapped images of houses. But I could not, no matter how I tried, keep from lifting my Canon DSLR to capture photos of farm sites as we traveled.
They are like a magnet for someone such as myself with rural roots. Having left the farm 40 years ago upon my graduation from high school, I rely today on memories and visual connectedness to fulfill my longing for the land. That and my writing, especially my poetry.
Few people I know farm anymore. No one in my immediate extended family farms, although two brothers remain rooted to agriculture, one via co-ownership in a farm implement dealership and the other as CEO of an ethanol plant, both in my native southwestern Minnesota.
The farm where I grew up near Vesta is rented out. Thus I have lost that touch of feet on the farm, familiar creak of the barn door—that direct connection to the place of my youth.
My natural instinct now is to seek out, with my eyes and camera, that which is no longer mine.
(All photos were taken while traveling three weeks ago along Interstate 90 between Rochester and the Wisconsin border. Yes, the snow has since melted. Yeah!)
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love the old barns. There was a fabulous stone one downstate from me. I never stopped to take a photo. Last time I drove through, I saw it had been torn down. It was an almost physical pain to see that gorgeous barn missing.
I think I remember you posting about that barn. So sad…
You can take the girl away from the farm…but you cant take the farm out of the girl, am I right Audrey? Love the farm photo’s, there’s just something refreshing about them! Speaking of refreshing, Rick and I were out a few weeks ago and some of the farmers were spreading manure…ha ha. There’s just something about that smell 🙂
You are correct. Can’t take the farm out of the girl.
Yes, this would be the time of year to clear out the manure.
Ahh, there is something comforting about barns. Must be the country girl in me. Thanks for sharing!
That would do it, country girl in you.
Great pictures. Although I’m just a Jersey Girl, I love looking at pictures of farms too. And old houses. They take me back to books I’ve read and make me wonder about the lives of farmers then and now.
Well, then Jersey Girl, I’m happy to give you a glimpse of rural life and also take you back to books you’ve read. Thanks for stopping by.
I do like the rural scenes and now I live in horse farm country!
There you go…
Love your photos; our childhood memories are the ones we seem to hold dear in our hearts. Love the farms and silos – grew up with seeing them all around. I so remember my grandfather’s farm and the animals.
You are right. And the older I get, the more I treasure those childhood memories.
I always love your farm/barn photos but you will have to get out there and take some w/o the snow!!!!!! LOL!!!
Now that the snow has melted, I can. Yeah, for no more snow.
I so agree!!!! We’ve been having waves of incredible stormy weather go through our area all day. The warnings have kept our weather radio constantly talking!!!! Just a mile, or so, south of our place there’s some very severe weather rumbling through. DIL, GD and 2 G.Grands were at the Onalaska Walmart just before lunch today when (it appeared) lightening struck the roof and ignited a fire. Evacuation was mandated as a storm raged outdoors. They had to leave their totally filled carts and get out of the store! After a break at the local McDonalds they headed for another grocery store (whose employees couldn’t figure out where all the customers were coming from all of a sudden!!!!).
Oh, my, that would have been frightening. Randy ran into hail on his way to work in Northfield Saturday a.m. Just small hail.
Yesterday’s weather was certainly a “wake-up” call that the battle of the seasons is in full swing. 1/4″ to 1/2″ hail was very common and 70 mph winds. Surprisingly little damage, though. Very thankful!!!!!
OK then, too early to think about severe weather already.
My thoughts exactly! Rain (now & tonight) changing to snow…..maybe a 1/2″!!! I know it won’t stay, but really…………………………Ugh!!!!!!!
Snowing in Faribault right now. I agree. Ugh.
Forecast change (for us) to 2″ of the white stuff!!!!!!!!SIGH!!!!!
It’s 8 a.m. on Monday and I just heard that travel is difficult in southeastern Minnesota where up to four inches of snow fell. I assume that includes you. Nothing more here than a light dusting. I so feel for you. Be safe if you need to be out and about today.
They are correct!!!! (see today’s post!) I’m off to Rochester with a quilt client. Roads are improving rapidly….it’s a “good thing”!!!!! Feels like January!!!!!
Argh…
About a year ago, I started to make sure I shot the houses in addition to the barn, assuming it was an interesting house and built in the same era as the barn. The four square is one of my favorites but also love ones that are “L” shaped where they were once a rectangle and then added onto perpendicular to the first structure. This summer I’m going to try to get on some properties and get a different perspective.
Great idea, Ryan, to also photograph the houses and I wish you well in getting onto those properties. I have a blog post in draft featuring houses, so I did photograph some. I, too, appreciate the ones you do.
It’s sad that fewer and fewer people are living on the land. It’s such a wonderful way to live and probably the most natural way for us to live and whenever I visit people in the country I always come away thinking farming communities are the most friendly and caring. I wish it was possible for farming to be more viable. Your images are lovely xx
Farming has changed so much since I left the farm 40 years ago. Some years farming is viable, some not.
It is understandable that you are drawn to farms and barns and all things that remind you of your childhood. That is a very good thing and we all get to share in your memories as you click away. I agree with Doreen–now we need to see some without the snow!
You know how it is. I have these photos in my files that get stockpiled. But, yes, barns without snow shall come.
Beautiful Captures – makes me want to escape to the country:)
Thanks, Renee.