This story was written by a very young child who was taking photography as a project in 4H and had to do a photographic story. Unfortunately both of the barns shown here have burned due to lightning. The photographs here have suffered a little from the scanning and definitely I needed to keep the lettering telling about the day. If you'd like, you Searcy Sleuths can identify the people in the picture. I'm the proud mom of the author of this fine photographic essay.
Barbara, What a great post! I love Arkansas life and apparently it is a great place to grow up. I know my daughters wouldn't trade it.
Cindy Jones, thanks. I'm partial to the little story and was proud when my son did it.
Karin, the old barn burned from a lightning strike. Then several years later the newer one burned from lightning also. The pasture is probably now destined to become subdivision.
Don, thanks. They do last.
Charles, those kids loved prowling around on the farm. They even went barefoot in the summer time. They'd stay out for hours and I never worried about their being kidnapped or hurt in anyway. They probably even played with rattlesnakes. There is a really good reason why parents should be young....before they learn so much about worry.
Great post, for a youngster those are good shots. Keep encouraging him, you never know where this fledgling talent may take him.
Barbara did you know that my husband and I met through 4-H? He was from Randolph County and I was from Pulaski County and we met on a trip to Washington, DC. I was giving a presentation to the Arkansas room (an embroideried wallhanging). I remember all the projects and the project books, competitions and trips around the country. We still have friends all over the US we made back in those days. It is a great program.
Thanks for sharing this bit of nostalgia. I think it is wonderful and plan to share it with Luke. Maybe it will inspire him.
Now...where exactly is this field with the rattlesnakes? I've already been told that this hillside is full of copperheads and scorpians...we have already met the squirrels on crack...and now I'm hearing about rattlesnakes in the field? Hello!...
Iran, thanks for the compliment!
Debbie, that comment is a good ad for 4H. Is it still around? I'm too old to know what is out there for young people anymore. Where is it? You lived there. The brick house across from your old one was ours. Kids hopped the retaining wall, traveled all over that farm and came back when they got ready. We lived in that brick house and one day I heard my husband holler and jump a mile and when I asked what happened he said that there was a snake in his golf bag! LOL. The golf bag was in the unenclosed-at-the-time garage in a corner and the snake had found a warm place. It was not a rattler!
Norma, thanks for reading and commenting.
4-H in Arkansas can usually be contacted through the County Cooperative Extension Service. There is still an active chapter here in Searcy somewhere cause they let me know we could call and get Luke involved. We are just called out so much unexpectedly it is difficult to make the commitments. I was into the sewing, crafting and leadership areas and involved in local, county, state and national competitions. It isn't all farming and horses...well...not in Pulaski County anyway...some counties are more rural than others. It is a great place to get kids involved, it not only helps them learn necessary life skills but it also helps them have opportunities to volunteer in the community and to gain a since of community. There are scholarships and all kinds of adventures ready for your participation. They had an adult organization...something like Home Demonstration Clubs. Willard's grandmother was like a charter member in Randolph County. I don't know if those are still around or not.
SNAKES! GREAT! I'll take the squirrels. If you feel the earth move under your feet...just know I just saw a snake. The property I was raised on...we killed 50 poisionous snakes the first summer. I freak at snakes! I do not know how many times I have almost been bit...my uncle killed a huge diamond back rattler that hung across the back of the bed of the truck and hung down on each side. The middle was the size of a piglet. It was beautiful...since it was dead. That was just in western pulaski county. It is probably good that this subject didn't come up while we were looking into purchasing a house...it must have been a divine act that had us purchase during the winter.
I hope dogs help keep snakes away. Maybe that is why they have so many lights around this house? I thought it was because of all the rocks and rocky paths. I should have known...Oh boy!
Debbie, I don't think your hill has many snakes. There is a place in Texas that has a rattle snake hunt each year. I never wanted to live there or participate. Just work on your squirrels and don't worry about snakes.
Hi Barbara, I really appreciate this post and the photo story contained within. It was wonderful and the innocence of child's thinking and writing this photostory is so refreshing.
William, thanks. I love the little essay myself.
Nutsy, you have handsome relatives. The best looking one was the dark headed brother who always wore a black hat and looks as if he has morphed into a SQUIRREL! Yikes!!
Tony, thanks for reading it and commenting.
Anita, you are so funny! That never crossed my mind but it is a splendid idea! Did you get called by the reporter from the Dem-Gaz? I told him to call you for info on the Rialto....you and others.
Godmother,
If the Searcy sloths are looking for a mascot, yours truly is here.
Godson
Anita, I told him I was a relative newcomer and referred him to you and others. Sorry he didn't call you. Perhaps he tried and you were busy.
Godson, Searcy Sleuths......you little nut.....
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