Thursday, January 8, 2015

Wisconsin Barns, Good Fences, Favorite Words


This is my favorite barn. And most likely, it's my favorite because of propinquity.  Remember propinquity? It's what Dobie was counting on to cause Zelda to fall in love with him. In Dobie's case, I don't think it ever worked; in my case, it obviously did. I have taken hundreds of photos of this barn which sits just across the road from the end of our driveway. I hate to think of the day when it will no longer grace the landscape.




Such a hodgepodge of vertical and horizontal




Our Creek
Running Water in the Winter

Neighbor Bill's Barn
Beautiful in every season 

I know that some people think of old buildings like this as eye sores, but for me, they are a sight for sore eyes.


It's interesting, how we first learn some of our favorite words, isn't it. In the case of 'propinquity,' I first heard that word when I was a kid watching the Dobie Gillis show. I learned the word 'obnoxious' when I was quite young and on a long road trip to Florida with my parents and grandparents. I was just learning to snap my chewing gum, and gave it lots of practice on the trip. My grandmother was kind enough to teach me the word 'obnoxious.' :-)


I also love the sound of verisimilitude and reciprocity. Aren't they fun to pronounce! Do you have any favorite words?


Be kind.


***


Check out my handcrafted, vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE

'Clover Blossom'
Natural, Handcrafted, Vegan Soap

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at


Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and A Creative Princess and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

69 comments:

Theresa said...

I too love old barns and rickety structures:) That one is a beauty! I hope it stands forever! Enjoy your day dear friend! HUGS!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

No I had never heard that first word you used!! Oh dear where have I been. I love the old barn and yes ed at me!!!it will be a pity when it disappears. I taught my grand daughter when she was about 4-5 yeaars old the word penultimate and she has never forgotten it and when she uses it as she did at Christmas, everyone wanted to know how she know it. Finger was pointed at me!

21 Wits said...

I truly like this place too, and places like it around my own neck of the woods. We lost an old farm house recently that I'd hoped wold remain. But I got photos of it, and even posted about it before. I wonder do you know any of the back story on old residents of the place? One of my favorite meanings, not so much the word itself is, logophile- it means, a lover of words!

podso said...

Your neighbor's old barn is a piece of art. I love all your photos of it but maybe the most the one with the bales of hay in front. How nice you can see it each and every day. Love your close ups too. As far as words, I enjoyed your favorites and I have a few but I'm dashing off this morning out into our 12 degrees. As far as reciprocity--never thought of that as fun to say but I think it is and even better if you learn to pronounce it correctly then it's really fun!

MadSnapper said...

i agree with you the barn is a sight for sore eyes. these photos are amazing and so is that barn. i would snap myself silly if it was anywhere near me.
i have never heard the word propinquity and had to look it up to see what it meant, which means i now know a knew word, or at least i do until i forget it. so that word fits why i am always taking pics of the same flowers in my yard over and over.

MadSnapper said...

forgot to say, i did know the word obnoxious because my brother was in that category

Primitive Stars said...

Oh I love the old barn, great weathered wood. Blessings Francine.

John's Island said...

That barn may be old, but it is still beautiful. Very nice photos. And it's nice to meet a logophile. :-) Thanks for sharing and thank you for stopping by my blog and your kind comment. John

eileeninmd said...

It is a lovely old barn! And I believe I learned a new word today.. Wonderful photos and fence scenes.. Have a happy day!

Stephanie said...

Beautiful barn, sweet Judy. I love how you have captured it's loveliness during each season.

Hugs to you!

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful barn, indeed! and laughing at your road trip story. :)

Unknown said...

Hi Judy, I wish you a Happy New Year!
And I must say I fell in love with that barn - would love to move in right away! And that little creek matches perfectly :))
Wonderful pictures!
Have a fine day

【ツ】Knipsa

Cheryl said...

"Propinquity" is a new word for me! I had to zip out of here and look it up. :)

Love the collage of the barn in all seasons. It's hard to say which one I like the best. The winter view is quite beautiful. (Although I'd be happier with spring temps, especially considering the frigid temps here this morning...)

Inger said...

That's the BEST barn I have ever seen. How fortunate for you to have it across the way. I finally learned what ubiquitous means, while it may not be a favorite word, at least I'm glad to know its meaning when I come across it.

Carola Bartz said...

This barn certainly is not an eye sore, on the contrary! I would have taken tons of pictures of it as well if it were at the end of my driveway!
I don't have any special favorite words, I'm glad if I can pronounce them correctly (I'm not a native speaker of English). However, I do have favorite words in my native tongue, German.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, I love words like that, too! But Dobie did not want Zelda to fall in love with him, he wanted Thalia; Zelda wanted him!

I can't imagine you snapping your gum or being obnoxious!

Amy Burzese said...

When you have a great subject, hundreds of photos happen. I love the one with the flowers and hay bales. Had to look up verisimilitude. Thanks for adding to my vocabulary.

Amy Burzese said...

Learned something else today. I linked your post even though it had expired. Thanks for sharing your barn shots!

SImple and Serene Living said...

I love this old barn. I am always so sad when I see one that finally "succumbs" to nature. I love that my youngest granddaughter who is two listens when I say large words, repeats them, and then uses them correctly later. :)
xo Laura

Nancy said...

Your photos of the old barn are wonderful and show its true beauty. I, too, love abandoned buildings and wonder about their stories and the people who built them.

magnoliasntea said...

Hi Judy! Those a great photos of the barns. They retain their earthy, down-home aura no matter how old they are. I love them for their multidimensionality. *snort* Oh yeah, words are cool. Want to play Scrabble sometime? LOL

EG CameraGirl said...

It's a great old barn, Judy. I hope it lasts a long. long time yet...but just in case, keep taking photos!

LV said...

Being a country girl, love old barns and houses. However, it is depressing to see them sitting and being neglected.

Linda Kay said...

Great post, Judy...one wonders who people let them get so dilapidated, but they are definitely good fodder for our pictures!

Cranberry Morning said...

I guess I want paying attention! At least I got a new word from it, and I suspect there really wasn't much else to learn from The Dobie Gillis Show. Lol

Cranberry Morning said...

No thanks. I'm a terrible Scrabble player because I'm always trying to come up with the really cool word! Lol

Anita Johnson said...

I love old barns like that too...I wish we could preserve them ...keep them like that for generations to come. I had a barn that I loved near here too, old and weathered. I was so sad to see it had collapsed this fall. it wasn't an eyesore to me.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love words and I love Scrabble! Are you on Facebook? We could play Scrabble. LOVE this beautiful ruin and the long grasses around it. I had been going to suggest you take a picture in each season. Then lo and behold you DID!! It is wonderful, beauty times four, and I hope you have it out somewhere for display.

Buttercup said...

Beautiful pictures. I never tire of taking pictures of the Empire State Building -- right when I get out of the subway at Macy's -- or Lincoln Center, which is across the street from my gym. Lincoln Center is the star of my pictures and it's all location.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

For some reason, as a child, my favorite word was instant. Or was it instance?

Diane said...

Love the photos and the barn. At least you'll have the pictures if it ever comes down. I would LOVE to have a view like that! Go ahead and laugh, but I always liked the word "Melmac." Just has a fun ring to it.

Anonymous said...

Such faded beauty!

I love the word 'serendipity'.

Cathy said...

That's a really cool looking old barn. Love those pictures. The story about how you learned the word obnoxious made me laugh. Great memory.

This N That said...

I love old barns and Oldfarm structures, old houses, they all have a story to tell. Nice pictures.

Ida said...

Well I must admit to looking up
"propinquity" but I do remember Dobie Gillis (we're old).
I agree that barn and the fencing are cool looking. I like the hodgepodge of the barn. I don't find them to be eyesores either. They have such great character.

One word I really think is interesting is: Quiessent. Mainly because I saw it once on a box of frozen popsicles. It means (still and unmoving) and one would hope that a popsicle wouldn't be moving!

Debby Ray said...

I really don't understand how anyone could NOT see the beauty...the wonderfully textured wood grain, the muted tones...it's like a balm for the soul to me. I don't think I have heard that word before I'm quite familiar with "obnoxious" :) I'll have to think a while on that favorite word...if I have one.

Debby Ray said...

Oh my...I forgot to tell you how stunning these photos are...love the four season shots!

L. D. said...

I had forgotten that word until you brought it up. I really like barns, especially the weathered ones. I always think of the history they have with animals and hay storage and even grain storage. You photos are great designs when you capture them the way that you do.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I love old barns, too. These photos are great. I agree with Karen, and truly like this place, too. I think old buildings should be preserved because this is part of our history.
Have a great day.

Pamela Gordon said...

Ooo, that barn is a beauty. You have captured some great shots of it in all the seasons. It would be nice if the boards could be rescued in the end of it's life. I'm at a loss for big words at the moment but I'm sure there is a big word for that too!!

Tom said...

Ah. my kind of barn. Tom The Backroads Traveller

Terri D said...

Lovely photos, and I agree with you. There is so much to learn from the old buildings...if you are quiet, you can almost hear them telling their stories, but wouldn't it be great if they really could talk?!! We use the word reciprocity often at the museum, where I work, because certain levels of membership share reciprocity with other museums. The other words you highlighted are familiar but not ones I use often (or at all!). I can't think of a favorite word right now, but maybe I'll get back to you on that!! :)

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Old barns have character and history in their favour. I would never stop to photograph a new, spiffy looking specimen but do for the old tumble down ones like you've shared. There's a few in our rural area, I should make it a point this year to capture them in their glory before they're flat on there backs.
I try not to chew gum often because I habitually snap it and yes, I'd say it's an obnoxious habit. Certainly not fitting for a granny to be seen doing.
I've liked the word 'wordsmith' ever since I was asked to use my wordsmithing abilities for a document a friend was putting together.

Arlene G said...

Judy that barn reminds me of my Daddy's barn. I may post a picture of it this week. Love your love of words. One of my favorite words is cacaphony!!( Not sure if that is spelled correctly.) Stay warm up there in the frozen north!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

It's a gorgeous barn in every season. Love old barns. Getting to be fewer and fewer like these around here.

Debbie said...

there are so many homes in my area, that were destroyed by super storm sandy. what's left, still remains and my heart breaks every time I drive by, more then 2 years later....

these old barns are a different story. these barns tell a story about life, the past and hard work. they are beautiful, no matter the condition!!!

and I have never heard of that word. I am off to look it up!!!

Linda said...

Unfort..my southern drawl does not allow me to say/pronounce those words, giggling. I just love your photos..thanks for the smiles. Blessings

Inger said...

How nice to know that your dad was from Sweden. Thanks for letting me know.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

That is a very beautiful barn and I love all the different views you have taken. This barn is a perfect example of Wabi-Sabi. That is one of my favorite words and concepts. xo Karen

Carla from The River said...

I love how you are able to capture your neighbors barn in photos. Have you ever shared your photos with him?

My word is melancholy, I just love how it sounds.
When my boys do not like a particular school assignment, I always say "why are you so melancholy" Of course it makes them laugh, because they know it is mom's word. :-)

Anonymous said...

Old barns must have such stories to tell if they could talk! Lovely pictures!

Michelle said...

Old barns are a favorite thing of mine to photograph. You have really captured a beauty here!

Roan said...

Lucky you to have such a wonderful barn right across the road. It is beautiful in all seasons!

Trace4J said...

True treasures that I adore!
Warm Woolie HUGS

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

LOL your gum and your grandma.

I used the phrase "Fodder for " to my DIL last night and she had never heard of it. Wondered if it was an old-people's phrase.

LOL!

Michelle said...

I do love the barn pictured, in all the seasons.
Reminds me of my very young ages.

I have never seen the words that you posted. Wouldn't even know how to pronounce them.
I'm a more simple type, I guess..lol

Lynne said...

CHARACTER draws me in . . .
That BARN has it!

Unknown said...

Oh My Gosh! So nice to meet another Wisconsinite! And I love old buildings too! This barn is fabulous! :) Thanks for sharing it!

Bethany Carson said...

Very nice shots of the barns, and I like the words you mentioned. Don't think I've heard verisimilitude before. Some of my favorite words are machination, sesquipedalian, redoubtable, and perspicacious.

Tom said...

That barn is a gem, but enjoy and photograph it while you can. Tom The Backroads Traveller

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I already commented but want to thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday Judy. When I was out yesterday I was noticing some barns that I'll go back to and take my camera with me.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

This one is a beauty! I love the old barns, too, as they remind me of the 2 that were on my parent's farm where I grew up. They were eventually torn down and those "obnoxious" metal barns replaced them. :) I love the 4 season photos!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Love old barns and I just wish that those old walls could talk, what great stories they must hold~

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful photos. That's a great barn and I see why it's your favorite, Judy. Have a wonderful week.

Rose said...

Oh, my, I am with you on the old barns/buildings are a sight for sore eyes. Is it crazy that it makes me sad to see them falling apart, while at the same time it makes me love them all the more?

The Furry Gnome said...

Love the old barn. I particularly like your last four pix showing the barn in 4 seasons!

A Colorful World said...

Fantastic photos! This is truly a wonderful barn! How fortunate you are to have it so close by, where you can photograph it in every season and every light. Love that word propinquity too...I learned something new! :-)

Tanya Breese said...

oh that is a beautiful old barn!

magnoliasntea said...

I hope your favorite barn stays there forever. Our neighbor with 35 acres died five years ago, and the land was just sold to a developer. They're building 60 houses behind and on one side of us...argh. Thankfully we have pasture so they can only get so close.

Your word verisimilitude is a prize winner for sure with its six syllables.
Have a great weekend!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails