Rural Indiana

I love the way the vines cover the old silo...some people see a place like this and wonder why someone don't care for it better. I have been guilty of thinking that myself. But then if I give it a second thought, I have a feeling the people probably have more work than they can handle. And maybe not enough money to do the repairs.

When I was a kid, we always had nails...or almost always had nails on hand, and in various sizes. And could usually find lumber to do small jobs with. I think about it now...think about the playhouse and tree house we built, and I wonder where the wood came from. We did not go buy it...I don't remember even asking if we could use it. And we didn't get into trouble for using it...it was just there.

I know when 'we' built our house, that my dad had the lumber cut from trees on our property. I think dad could look at a tree and figure the board feet that would come from it. He had trouble getting someone to cut it to his specifications. He wanted the boards to be finished one inch thick...not like they are now--3/4 inch thick. I don't know why that sticks in my mind...I know I had to hear him talk about it later in my life, cause I was only about 4 or 5 years old when it was built.

And I do remember helping sand the drywall where the nails were mudded over. I don't remember how much I don't...it could have been very little. I do remember also folding the drywall tape that goes in the corners to be mudded over.

I often think our mom never bragged or was proud of any of us, even though we were not bad kids...but I do remember her bragging to other people that I helped to build the house.