Poignant thoughts of yesteryear and childhood fancies.

I spent a lot of time at Uncle Joe's farm when I was young.
I liked the smell of new mowed hay and silage that filled the old red barn. There were other smells which weren't so tantilizing! I was not thrilled when I had to clean out the horse stalls or cow stansions.
It was a necessary part of farm work tho and I willingly tried to do my chores with out complaint.

Jumping in the hay, making small tunnels and cubby holes to play in was lots of fun. Once in a while I was allowed to ride one of the old black work horses.

My favorite pet was a cow named Brenda. She was white with brindle colored spots on her body. Two large horns protruded from her head. Huge brown eyes gazed at me, as she'd softly nuzzle my hand when I gave her extra hay. She was a gentle cow who'd let me ride on her back and stood patiently as I learned to milk her.

Farm life was always busy and there was lots to do.I helped pick fresh vegtables from the big garden, and gathered apples from the orchard behind their house.

In the early mornings a slight haze would cover green pastures. Dew glistened on blades of cowgrass and gray rocks. It was a breathtaking sight to see the fog lift as the sun rose higher. The world appeared fresh and new.

I loved running in meadows of high golden grass which were filled with daisies, blackeyed susans and buttercups. Once in a while, I'd find small violets near old stone fences that seperated the pastures.
Some times I'd lay in the tall grass and listen to the sounds of different birds singing or the droane of bees as they filted from flower to flower. The sky was a hue of light blues and lazy white clouds drifted in its spance. I often imagined I saw a tepee or an indian hidden in the various cloud formations.

These wonderful memories are an integral part of my childhood and have influenced who I am today.