barn

There are 7 posts tagged barn (this is page 1 of 2).

Posted to Ontario Barn Preservation – Spring Barn Fashion

This is the post I wrote about clothing choices for barn wear, for the Ontario Barn Preservation newsletter, March 2023.

Thinking About… Spring Barn Fashion

One thing you may not spend time really thinking about… barn fashion. But, here we are, approaching another Spring and you might need to consider fashion, or at least function.

First, you might avoid open toed shoes. No matter how cute they look before you walk around in the barn. Gardeners say “keep your knees dirty” but I’d change that to, “keep your toes clean, and not itchy”.

Do you wear that typical sort of lumber jacket look? How about that Buffalo check, the red and black plaid often used for rustic fashion? Denim is also a traditional must have, whether its jackets or jeans, or something else. One of my favourite fashion finds is a denim backpack. It goes anywhere, including the washing machine.

Then there are t-shirts. How many free t-shirts have you collected? Attending events is a good way to get more t-shirts. But, I find they don’t hand them out as often as before. Also, I’m not always keen to be a walking billboard for various products and causes. I still find sources for cheap t-shirts, plain shirts. Of course, a t-shirt never really dies, they make great rags. Really, if you took time to make a list there must be a hundred uses for an old t-shirt. Socks too.

You might think the topic of barn fashion is kind of silly, but almost everyone has a favourite old jacket, or jeans, or something they wear working around outside. It’s been weathered, time tested, patched, mended, washed more than a few times. What’s yours?

Barn Clothes: Life on The “fashion Don’t” List

Posted to Ontario Barn Preservation – Cars in Barns Are Barn Finds

This is the post I wrote about old cars being found in even older barns, for the Ontario Barn Preservation newsletter, January 2023.

Cars in Barns Are “Barn Finds”

I like to photograph old buildings, farm houses and barns included. I’ve met a lot of people who also have an interest in old places. Not everyone is about photographing them. Some will salvage, some will vandalize. As a general rule I choose not to do either. But, there have been times I saved plants from a garden at a house long abandoned. Once, I brought back a green Pyrex mixing bowl which I found way out in the field as I was walking back after photographing an abandoned farm house. Sadly, that house has been demolished now, but I still use the mixing bowl. I have never vandalized, or left garbage around. Take only photographs, leave only footprints.

There are people who especially look for cars, vehicles other than farm machines, in old barns. Some of them just want to see the old cars, some want to try buying them from whoever still owns the barn and cars, and others wreck them. They call them barn finds.

Ethan Minnie explores a barn which has several cars. Sadly, this location has been publicized and vandals have found it. Ethan knows what kind of cars they are. Another view of the same location from Freaktography.

It would be nice to know the story behind all these cars left, neglected and abandoned. I did find that it was someone who won the lottery and bought a lot of cars. Then went bankrupt. But, why not sell the cars rather than go bankrupt, or just leaving them all there? It seems there must be more to the story.

A Few Links to Barn Finds:
Hotcars
Driving.ca
Barn Finds

Most of the videos about barn finds don’t include a story, or give away the location. At least I hope they avoid letting others know where they found them. It’s not just about trespassing but respect for whoever owns the property and everything in/ on it. Even the vehicles themselves. Dust and animals will happen, no one should deliberately cause harm, to vandalize.

If you’re interested in cars, especially old cars, you can find a lot online about barn finds. I’ve seen people posting photographs and videos from Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. You may have a car or two in your own barn. I guess some people intend to fix them up and sell them, or showcase them. At some point, when its covered in a thick layer of dust and animals tracks… it might be time to find a buyer for it, as is. Let someone else treasure it and (hopefully) have the time, energy, and resources to get it on the road again.

I have a problem with keeping books, thinking I will make use of all that information… some day. I do understand hanging onto things, cars, books, or any of thousands of other things we value.

What is an Abandoned Barn Versus Inactive?

I looked at the photos of barns in this post. To me, most of them are inactive, not actually abandoned. They are still maintained, enough to not be falling down, don’t look salvaged for barn boards, etc. So, they didn’t really seem abandoned or derelict. Probably someone else would consider any barn not actively used to be abandoned. I guess it is all perspective. Are you someone using a barn or someone photographing it, looking at it for history, art, or industry/ agriculture or architecture?

I have not (so far) found a link to the photographer, John H. Busch or his fellow explorer, Mary Lynn Busch. There are good points in the post about exploring, history and photographing old places in Ontario. I’ve copied and pasted parts of the post, not in order so I can keep topics, like photographing the barns together.

Tips for Photographing Abandoned Barns

It’s interesting how you can photograph the same subject several times in one day and capture a different result each time, depending on the location of the sun, cloud cover, and location of the point of view. I learned through experience that my best colour photos are taken on cloudy days, but it is hard to exclude sunny-day shadows for good contrast.

I have shot and compiled a selection of these abandoned barns. For various reasons, it’s sometimes difficult to get the proper perspective while photographing these structures. Some are set far back from the road; there is often the presence of trees and foliage; and sometimes the time of day isn’t ideal. I believe some of my best photos of these barns were taken during the winter months, due to the absence of foliage, but ironically some of the best colours were during the summer months. Most of the barns are plain and unpainted, but a few are painted “barn red” while the odd one is white or green.

The Beginning of the End

The barns with missing boards or ones that have had part of their metal roofs blown off are the ones I refer to as doomed. Once this process begins, the barn will collapse relatively quickly. A year or two of rain on the dry hardwood beams, coupled with an entry for the wind to blow through, often speeds up the process. Gravity always seems to win in the end.

Another factor that contributes to the disappearance of these old barns is economics, including property taxes. Once the landowner realizes that the barn, which is often completely empty, is costing extra money in tax assessment, an excavator is brought in and the barn is dismantled quickly, often leaving the original farmhouse as the only building on the property.

To this day, terms such as “top plate, girt, corner post, brace, bent, mortise and tenon” still come to mind whenever I see different barns.

Source: Abandoned Barns of Southwestern Ontario | Our Canada

The Cathedrals of the Fields

We hear about the grain elevators from Saskatchewan but less often about our own Ontario barns. Those hand built, long standing structures right in our own backyard, not literally in most cases. But, there they are. You don’t need to drive far outside of a city or town in Ontario to find an old barn.

Cathedrals of the fields is a great description for them. Probably the best I have heard. I should look for more.

“These are our heritage buildings in the rural landscape,” she said. “They’ve been called the cathedrals of the fields. The craftsmanship is beautiful. They might all look the same from the outside but, on the inside, they tell stories of the farmers who built them.”

Quote from Krista Hulshof – Source: Preserving Ontario’s barns | Farms.com

ODP .sig Code

E+F+D+++++XDN+++G++Q+++++L?A+++HW-O++BC-T++IS-Krg

Saved for posterity. Most of the links don’t go very far.

ODP .sig Code

This little code originated in a forum thread back in late 2002. We have both an encoder (provided by jtaylorj) and a decoder (provided by ciaran)!

The following explanatory blurb is ripped off from the geek code. Make the appropriate modifications in your head, please.

Geeks, of all people, can seldom be strictly quantified. To facilitate the fact that within any one category you may not be able to determine a specific rating, variables have been designed to allow this range to be included.
@ – for this variable, said trait is not very rigid, may change with time or with individual interaction. For example, Geeks who happen to very much enjoy Star Trek: The Next Generation, but dislike the old 60’s series might list themselves as t++@.
() – for indicating “cross-overs” or ranges. Geeks who go from C+ to C— depending on the situation (i.e. mostly “C+”) could use C+(—). @ is different from () in that () has finite limits within the category, while @ ranges all over.
< – for ‘wannabe’ ratings. Indicating that while the geek is currently at one rating, they are striving to reach another. For example, C++>$ indicating a geek that is currently computer savvy, but wants to someday make money at it.
$ – Indicates that this particular category is done for a living. For example, UL+++$ indicates that the person utilizes Unix and gets paid for it. Quite a lucky geek, for sure. ODP Code note: this only applies to staff!
? – Unless stated otherwise within the specific category, the ? is placed after the category identifier and indicates that the geek has no knowledge about that specific category. For example, a person that has never even heard of Babylon 5, would list their Babylon 5 category as 5?
! – Placed before the category. Unless stated otherwise, indicates that the person refuses to participate in this category. This is unlike the ? variable as the ? indicates lack of knowledge, while the ! indicates stubborn refusal to participate. For example, !E would be a person that just plain refuses to have anything to do with Emacs, while E? would be a person that doesn’t even know what Emacs is.

Let the ODP Code begin!

Position

  • E = Editor
  • E+ = Editall
  • E++ = Editall+Catmv
  • E+++ = Meta
  • E+- = Cateditall
  • E++- = Catmod
  • E! = Staff

Forums

  • F++++ = I’m totalxsive.
  • F+++ = Seriously addicted to the forums. I’ve learned several languages by reading each and every World forum thread.
  • F++ = Active on a daily basis. A forum is the first thing that comes to my mind when hearing “Café”, “Penguin”, or a combination of both.
  • F+ = Reading relevant threads quite regularly. I’m even contributing to fun forum threads once in a while.
  • F = I’ve been to the Penguin Café once, and I remember participating in a reorg discussion about… well… whatever.
  • F- = I introduced myself in the New Editor Forum several months ago. Oh, and I read some threads about current reorganisations. Well – at least item0.
  • F– = ODP forums? Boooooring!! I prefer to post to external forums, mocking fellow editors.
  • F!: I’ve just discovered/remembered that UBB code (and similar) doesn’t work here. (now obsolete)

Duration of Editorship

  • D = just joined (less than a year)
  • D+ = 12 – 23 months
  • D++ = 24 – 35 months
  • D+++ = 36 – 47 months
  • D++++ = 48 months – 59 months
  • D+++++ = five years or more
  • D* = I am skrenta.
  • D- = I would like to join.
  • D+++x = I am on a break from the ODP (+++ = total “active” time before the break)
  • D!- = I resigned by my own free will (no abuse etc.)
  • D! = I have been removed from the ODP.
  • D!! = I have an ODP hate site.

Other Directories

Number of Edits

  • N? = 0
  • N— = 1 – 50
  • N– = 51-100
  • N- = 101-500
  • N = 501-1000
  • N+ = 1001-5000
  • N++ = 5001-10000
  • N+++ = 10001-50000
  • N! = rpfuller

Graphics

  • G = I’ve suggested smilies and/or Mozzies in the appropriate threads, but have never made any.
  • G+ = I’ve submitted a couple of smilies or at least one Mozzie.
  • G++ = I’ve submitted at least 2 smilies and 2 Mozzies or I have bea-u-tified my Editor profile page.
  • G+++ = I’ve helped with making Editor Awards, and I’ve submitted both smilies and Mozzies.
  • G++++ = I’ve submitted smileys and Mozzies faster than Business gets spammed.
  • G+++++ = I edit Bookmarks/M/mozzie and/or host Editor Awards on my own server(s).
  • G* = I’m enarra.
  • G- = I wish I knew how to design or make graphics.
  • G! = Graphics, who needs ’em? I view the web in text only.
  • G? = Why can’t we have animated smilies and Mozzies?
  • G?!?! = I don’t understand why there isn’t an all Flash version of the ODP.

Edit Quality

  • Q = average quality edits
  • Q+ = good quality edits
  • Q++ = great edits!
  • Q+++++ = they asked me to become an editall after 100 edits
  • Q- = working on it
  • Q– = oops!
  • Q—: Whaht iz zpellinghk? Geidleighns?

Loser/Luzer

  • Lu = B-ing @ luser’z kewl!
  • Lo = I’m a loser. So what? Peons are a necessary part of any group.
  • Lu(o) = Sometimes my ego doesn’t overshadow my loserness.
  • Lo(u) = I’ll proudly admit to being a loser in the proper context, of course.
  • Lu>o = I’m maturing and one day won’t be so proud of my status, but I’ll still be a loser.
  • Lo>u = I’m trying to be a “kewl” loser.
  • L> = I’m attempting to achieve non-loser status, but I’m not there yet.
  • L? = I don’t get it.
  • !L? = I refuse to designate something I don’t understand.
  • !L = I refuse to participate in (or admit to) having loser status.
  • L@ = I range across the entire loser scale.

Editing Activity

  • A+++++ = I’m a human robot.
  • A++++ = If I don’t do at least 100 edits a day I get withdrawal symptoms. I sleep in the ODP IRC room.
  • A+++ = I’m not going out as much as I used to. My marriage is showing signs of weakness caused by too much late night editing.
  • A++ = I’ve started applying for new cats because I’ve run out of greens.
  • A+ = I log on regularly to edit. I’ve even started adding non-submitted sites.
  • A = I doing just enough editing to keep ‘my’ cats maintained, but that’s all you’ll see of me.
  • A- = I’m still around, just not logging in as much as I used to be.
  • A– = I’m still looking after my pet cats; sometimes.
  • A— = I hardly recognise any of the editor names anymore.
  • A—- = I’ve forgotten how to work the edit buttons. If they don’t ban me for bad editing, I’ll accidently timeout soon.
  • A! = I’ve temporarily stopped all editing for reasons too complex to explain, but I will be back.
  • A!! = I’ve timed out having previously set A!: I thought I’d be back, but evidently not.

Humor

  • H– = Neither uses nor recognizes humor. Probably isn’t reading this.
  • H- = Just the facts, ma’am/man.
  • H = A little laughter helps break the tension.
  • H+ = A lot of laughter really helps break the tension.
  • H++ = Don’t read my posts while drinking cocoa, that crt’s hard to clean.
  • H! = magne

Where Editing Happens

  • W = At work, of course
  • W+ = At work and at home
  • W++ = At work and at home and with a laptop…everywhere
  • W- = At home
  • W– = At home on weekends
  • W! = DMOZ wouldn’t run without me…I own a small computer company so I can edit anywhere
  • W!! = What are you talking about? This is my work, my social life, the reason for my existence.
  • W? = I never edit. I just read the forums on the library’s computer when I get there.

Opinion of ODP

  • O+++ = It’s perfect. I can’t think of anything that could be made better.
  • O++ = It’s very good, but it has a few flaws.
  • O+ = Mostly, it works. Sometimes, it doesn’t – but I can live with that.
  • O = It’s just another directory.
  • O- = It’s a good idea in theory, but it’s obviously not in practice.
  • O– = It’s not even a good idea in theory. It was obvious volunteer-run directories would lead to chaos from the start.
  • O— = It sucks. ODP should be taken out and shot.

Bumping

  • B+ = I’m a good editor and never bump any threads that I’m not supposed to.
  • B = I’ve probably bumped the odd thread now and again that I shouldn’t.
  • B- = I’ve bumped 07:10PM, No, Miriamisms, Lycos is using a false editor name and Welcome to the Forum.
  • B– = I’ve bumped all of the above and more.
  • B! = I’ve received a staff warning for my bumping.

This Code (not presently recognized by the decoder)

  • C- = This is cute, but we should have spent the time editing.
  • C = Finally, a system to quantify myself in relation to other editors so that I know where I can increase my involvement in the project.
  • C+ = I submitted suggestions for the code.
  • C* = I’m either etoile or ciaran.

Editor Tools

  • T! = The last time I used a power tool I broke something and autumn had to fix it.
  • T– = I’m afraid to use power tools.
  • T- = Tools? What tools?
  • T = I use tools occasionally.
  • T+ = I have at least one tool bookmarked.
  • T++ = I’ve suggested a new tool or feature that was implemented.
  • T+++ = I’ve created at least one tool.
  • T++++ = I recreated at least one of nurey’s tools.
  • T* = I’m rpfuller or dlugan.
  • T+++!!: I’m autumn.

Interaction Online

  • I— = Instant Messaging is stupid. What’s wrong with feedback?
  • I– = Never used IM for ODP matters, but may consider it
  • I- = I have at least 1 IM system, but never talked to any other editors with it.
  • I = I occasionally talk to other editors online
  • I+ = I regularly talk to other editors and pop into #ODP now and again
  • I++ = I got broadband just so that could IM all day, and spend a lot of time in #ODP
  • I+++ = I live in #ODP, and would suffer withdrawal symptons if it ever went away
  • I! = I host the ODP:IRC server

Social Interaction (not presently recognized by the decoder)

  • S! = I won’t meet people from the internet – don’t you watch the news?!
  • S– = I’ve never met or spoken to another editor offline.
  • S- = I’ve talked to a few on the phone… what a buncha geeks!
  • S = I’ve met one or two editors in person or talk to several regularly by phone.
  • S+ = I socialize with several regularly in person or have newwave on speed-dial.
  • S++ = I’ve attended an editor gathering or meetup.
  • S+++ = I’ve slept in robjones‘s barn multiple times or slept with raggedyrugs at least once.
  • S++++ I’ve organized or hosted an editor gathering or meetup.
  • S* = I met my spouse through ODP (e.g., kfander).

Kategories (yeah, yeah, C was already taken – this is for your main focus)

What does your code say about you? Though instead of decoding with a bar code scanner, these codes have to be looked at to understand them. While a symbol scanner equipped with a touch screen monitor may help in business, decoding ODP code is half the fun!

 

Vintage, Found and Hand Drawn Typography

I wrote a post for Word Grrls today about typography. At least that was how it started. Soon I discovered more about old lettering, found lettering and hand drawn lettering. Also, ghost signs, which have been a long time interest along with urban and rural exploration. So here are the links, reposted from the Word Grrls post. If I get looking for more (most of these are Flickr groups) I will add them in new posts. Eventually, all of these links will be in the web directory I want to get done. (It is started!)

Vintage Typography

Flickr: Font of all Wisdom – Unique vintage lettering.
Flickr: Historical Type and Lettering
Flickr: Vintage Product Signs/ Murals

Hand Lettering

Flickr: Hand Drawn Type
Flickr: Hand Lettering
Flickr: Typostruction
Flickr: Custom Lettering
Flickr: Signpaintr
Flickr: Handpainted Signs of the World
Flickr: Handmade Signs
Flickr: Handmade Typography/ Lettering
Flickr: Bad Type
Flickr: Folk Typography
Flickr: Blackboard Lettering

Found Typography

Flickr: Found Typography
Flickr: Urban Typography
Villa Type – Type and lettering found in the public domain.
Letterpeg – Fonts found around Winnipeg, Manitoba
NYC Type – Typography and lettering found in New York.
Flickr: Street Typography
Flickr: Found Type
Flickr: Signs, Signs
Typarchive
Flickr: Fontspotting
Flickr: I Love Typography
Flickr: Signage and Typography
Flickr: Font Whores
Flickr: Barn and Building Painted Advertisements

Ghost Signs

Flickr: Faded Signage
Flickr: Ghost Signs
Flickr: Old Painted Wall Advertising
Flickr: Old Signs
Flickr: Ghost Signage
Flickr: Ghost Ads
Flickr: Half Lost Signs
Flickr: Old British Signs
Flickr: Fragmented Urban Language

Also, I read a couple of posts in typography related blogs about sign painting becoming a lost art. So that is something else I will add to my to-do list. I am always interested in lost arts, like bookbinding. Industries and technologies falling into disuse as new technology evolves. The main downside (other than the employment issue) being repairs to old equipment and such still in use and requiring someone who knows the old ways to keep it going.