Progress on the Farm~

We're well into our project of converting the old barn into Farah's new home!  The month is flying by & the weather has cooperated.  Not every day - but a couple have been sunny & contributed to our yearn for the brighter, warmer days of spring.

On the 14th - A new home for the sign~

We stopped by the storage, where I found the sign that had hung over the Homestead gate.  Rusted now, it fit perfectly under the gable.

8th, posts going in~

Butch found the edges of the concrete the hard way as he drove the posts - skirting the perimeter of the west end, pieces of concrete pad.

Butch & Dean - 11th

The weekend was gray & chilly - but stayed dry.  A tree had grown up through the middle of a big bale of wire just outside the main door.  With the top of the tree cut, Dean's tractor & the chain were called to action.

Success~

With a loud Crack - the tree broke off at the base & it - along with the wire - came loose.  The tree had grown right up & through the concrete pad.

11th - Inside the barn~

Meanwhile, when not needed outside, I decided to get the old hay, straw & dried mud stripped out of the interior.  I used an old sheet of steel roofing outside the east door, to roll the wheelbarrow out over the first couple rows of corn stubble.  

Me & my mask!~

The first day, I didn't wear the mask & the dust was pretty bad.  I decided to try the mask & goggles.  Thankful that it wasn't hot & they were both vented - it's still miserable wearing them. 

14th, fence fabric going up!

Kay & Linus offered their help & how could we not appreciate that?!  Butch did mention that a couple times during the day - he heard Linus say something about the proximity of Tastee Treat. That's where we ended the day :-)

Linus, Butch & Dean~

With all the help, by the day's end, the east side of what will be Farah's walkway to the timber was all in.  Dean & the tractor cleared the path & kept tension on the long run of wire.  Janice & I sat in the sun for a while & acted as camp chair supervisors :-)

Thermometer~

On another trip to the storage, I remembered the thermometer that had hung in our barn isle.  It looks great on the back wall of what will be the tack/feed room.

Family History~

At the door of the silo is etched the name of Dean's Uncle.  I've always loved the tradition of adding names, initials & dates to concrete projects.

18th - Inside view~

Sat., on what was a cold & gray day - Butch got more of the inside walls furred for the stall area & sheeting up.  Sunday, Kay & Linus returned & with their help, the fencing was completed around the west end paddock.  I finished clearing the floor on the south side & NE corner - which felt like a huge accomplishment.  Dean moved what was left of the intact, better hay bales to another building.  Now, I just have that area, in the middle of the north side to do & the floor will be done.

I had to climb up & in to see the inside of this amazing structure.  Beautiful, no matter what the angle!  I can see why people are turning them into outdoor living spaces.  Really quality engineering with metal that has withstood the test of both time & weather.

Looking up~

Our to-do list is getting shorter by the day.  I'm so excited at the prospect of bringing Farah home!