Living in a Schoolhouse

Probably about 40 years ago, it wouldn't have cost much to purchase an old schoolhouse. Some people remodel them so that they're nearly unrecognizable as a schoolhouse. Others don't.  I think many of them had windows mostly along one side, with the north (cold) side being windowless.

Mr. Cranberry disagrees with me on this. He thinks the windows were usually on the north or east side so that there wouldn't be light glare on students' texts or papers. On the other hand, I would have thought they would be on the south side of the building to help heat up the room in the wintertime.

So if anyone out there remembers the old country schoolhouse, do you want to weigh in with your guess or opinion about where the windows were located? Feel free, especially if you agree with me. ;-)

I took this photo from a distance last week. I love the reddish orange steel roof on the old red brick schoolhouse.

Of course, if I were to buy an old schoolhouse to live in, I wouldn't want to remodel it much, except maybe to put in a loft because the ceilings are so high you'd have room to do that. And just think of all the blackboards I would have! Oh, that's right. I do have lots of blackboards. Mr. Cranberry does asbestos removal before demolition, and he's brought home many black slate boards over the years. I can't bear to see them thrown out. That's why we're taking another bunch of them to Cashton for the Amish schools next spring.

Oh look! There's a blackboard in my kitchen!

Have you ever wanted to live in an old schoolhouse? I do realize it's possible that I'm the only person in blogland who has always dreamed about doing that. That's okay. I have a library table, chalkboards, and lots of vintage books. I guess that's good enough. Besides, I'm getting too lazy to move.

Below are a couple pics of the old country school I attended in grades 1-2. It looked better back then. :-)  It was torn down just last week. Glad I took these photos last year.

 Woodside School, Barron County, WI

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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 Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday 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 Every Room in the House Friday Noon and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

Neighborhood Amish Schoolhouse

It's about 34 degrees F. as I write this post. The sunshine feels warm, so now if only that big white blanket of snow would go away! I'm looking forward to spring, and in a few weeks I'll start planting seeds indoors.

The day I took these photos, it was probably ten degrees colder. I don't usually see as many buggies at the Amish school as I did that day. I don't know what the occasion was, but I suspect there must have been something special going on.

I actually love the muted colors of these buildings on the farm across the street from the school. I don't know if the lack of paint has more to do with absence of funds or the fact that the tax assessment goes up when you take care of your property.

The sign warns passers-by of the bull that's often staked in the ditch.

Corn Crib

When I zoomed in on this photo, I made sure to gray out the faces of the children. Also, I thought it was hilarious that the kid on the right looks like he's pushing the buggy with his forehead. I'm not sure what he's actually doing, unless they have a little spot of ice out there where they're playing.

Essential Playground Equipment

Same Building, Photo from October 2012

Since I'm writing this on a Sunday afternoon, I'm thinking about watching an old Campion movie on Netflix. If I fall asleep on the couch, it doesn't matter, because I've seen all the Campion movies multiple times - and still enjoy them. But I've also found that they're great to fall asleep by, as long as I keep the volume up high enough.  It's not quite as effective as riding (not driving) in the car, but almost. From what I understand, my parents started this when I was a colicky infant.

I'm hoping that Bridger recovers from whatever it is he did to his front leg. He already has so many issues with his back legs (degenerative disc disease), that I won't put this 12 year old shepherd through the grief of loading into a car to go visit the vet. I'm going to try to keep him quiet, give him the pain meds prescribed, and see how it goes.

Even so, nothing keeps that dog from wanting to go out onto the deck and lie in the snow.

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