You Can't Go Home Again

Dave's folks moved from the old farm place to town in the 80s. As you can imagine there have been many changes and much of the place we remember simply does not exist anymore. Travis and Amber (Travis' fiancee) were kind enough to indulge us and share a trip down memory lane as we pointed out what used to be where.

We all have our favorite memories of Grandpa and Grandma's house. While growing up, the kids spent a week now and then with Grandpa and Grandma on the farm. I learned how to make tomato juice, Alyssa learned how to crochet, Travis got to ride in the tractor with Grandpa and make forts under the dining room table. Dave got to grow up on the farm - he mostly remembers early adventures in the great woods (small grove), driving the "jitney" (the rusting hulk of a 1920s truck) all over the world, the old machinery with interesting seats and levers "resting" in the back yard (Dave recalls that some of them could fly), and later on, tending the animals, driving the tractor and baling hay.

There were dairy cattle, pigs, chickens, and sometimes geese or ducks. The latter did not last long, as the dogs chased the ducks and the geese chased the dogs. How many farm cats did grandma have? We are not sure. At one point the count was up to 33 tame, a few more wild. Each morning and evening they got a shot of fresh milk. Cushy job. Each Spring they would drive the steers via the ditches to their Summer pasture at "the 80", a couple of miles away, and in the Fall, drive them back again, just like real cowboys, only with truck, foot and bicycle, not horses.

Grandpa and grandma now live in a nursing home and the barn is gray instead of white/red (as all barns should be.) The central grassy area of the "tear-drop" driveway where so many games of catch were played is now just one big gravel lot. The tender subtleties of a mid-20th century diversified family farm have been sacrificed on the altar of agribusiness and almighty corn. But the memories of times spent there are very dear. It reminds us to make the most of every family gathering because who knows? Things change. But the memories - those you get to keep.