Barn Grime and Donkey Time!

After about six weeks of battling the elements and building our barn, the builders have finished their part.  Hooray!!   Now JR, Papa G and Bob are wiring the structure.  That is not an easy thing to do  as the rafters are WAY up HIGH.  It gives me the "stomach queases" to even think about being that high!!

The new structure is on the left and the old barn is on the right.

Once electricity is installed the individual side panels can be hammered in place.  The steel corral fence has been ordered from Kentucky and should arrive within two weeks.  The roof of the barn is mainly metal with clear panels installed to let in light.  See all that red dirt?  JR had extra sand shoveled in so water would not seep into the barn. He is so brilliant!!

I like to walk under the barn and smell the new timber!!  Maybe we should host a "square dance" before the cows move in.  Once the cows enter the picture, the smell will never be the same!

 

 

 

The building was really a work of art........ 

 

Look at all those rafters!!

Everyday brought us closer to completion.

 



Finally, the excess timber was gathered up and placed in a pile by the barn.  Of course not being one to waste even a nail, JR gathered up the excess and saved it because..........well.........,  he might need it one day!!  Silver tin was used on the roof to reflect summer heat away from the barn.

 

I especially like the "skylights"!  JR was so smart to think of that!  Even on a gloomy winter day the barn will sparkle with light.  Oh, those lucky cows!!

 

 

 

 



 

I almost wish I was a cow so I could live in the new barn.....almost.

 

 



This is a side view.  Our dogs think it is just one huge dog house made especially for them!!

 

 

 

Cory and JR rented a "ditch witch" and dug a trench from the old barn to the new barn where they buried the power lines.  Papa G finished work on the power supply yesterday and we now have ARTIFICIAL LIGHT!! 

 

 

 

 








 

Meanwhile, while all the building was going on, JR and I took a trip in search of a donkey or two.  Donkeys help guard the young calves by keeping coyotes and other predators away.  And besides, Pluto needed a buddy.  We came upon a quaint barn and a pasture filled with donkeys.  So we stopped.........

 

 

 

 

JR and the owner had a conversation while I admired the area and took pictures.  The barn was full of donkeys, however, they were not for sale.  Not even one!!  But the owner pointed us in the direction of a farmer who just might want to sell a few of his donkeys.  So we hit the road.....

 

 

 

I love traveling back roads where I have never been before.  I like to get lost and have to search the deserted lanes for a way home.    I like to pretend I am on a wagon train heading out to the wide open spaces of the WEST!!   (Until I need a bathroom and then I want civilization!!!)

Eventually, we found the donkey farm but not the owner.......

 We searched and searched and searched but no two legged species could we see.   Can you find the donkey in the picture on the left side?   There were about 50 donkeys but no humans!!  How do these donkeys survive?  Do aliens visit them at night bringing them food and water?

 

The sun was beginning to move towards the western sky as we started sadly home without the promise of a new donkey to keep Pluto company in his old age.  Soon we came upon the "golden arch" which beckoned us with smells of burgers and fries -- not to mention yummy milkshakes.  Hmmmmm....The day was not a complete loss after all!! 

 

Love,

DeeDee