Barn Kids

 “Barns are vast, and sacred and make you feel small, like churches-only more fun.”

On the farm we had a small house and a big barn. Just like most land families, this was a sound decision. People of the land know the importance of a barn. A place to protect the hay crop, shelter the animals and store the farm equipment. But if you really want to know the best parts of a barn, ask a farm kid. It’s a wonderful place to learn about life like experiencing a colt’s new arrival into the world. Or maybe being a part of a summer hay-hauling team competing as to who can load and stack the most bales. Naturally the barn is the best place for hide and seek games which are sure to top the list.

There are however, several requirements of any good barn. A proper barn doesn’t have floors. Perhaps a good layer of left-over hay scattered over some caliche or hard packed soil but that’s about it. It may be dusty but hey, when your popsicle drips, you don’t get yelled at. Likewise, there are no window screens. Nature needs to flow in and out. House flies, wasp, mice, racoons, possums or even the unfortunate skunk may freely visit. Unless you’re collecting bugs, most occasional creatures can be merely annoying, usually human shy and educational to observe. Other visitors like the unfortunate uncovering of a Copperhead snake can start your heart a racing. But they all add a bit of mystery and danger to the surroundings. You can never be sure of what’ll turn up in a barn. 

The structure of a barn can be made of many things. Commonly construction is corrugated sheet metal over a welded pipe frame. But ancient barns are sometimes made of wood and giant timbers or logs fashioned together. There may be a loft to keep the hay high and dry while animals are housed on the bottom floor. Modern barns too, sometimes are exceptionally tall even without a loft. The height is necessary to accommodate the unloading of an eighteen wheeler stacked high with alfalfa or coastal hay. The sky high rafters make the most exciting place to throw a rope for hanging a tire swing.

Depending on the use, horses, cattle or sheep maybe housed inside on the lower level. The barn provides a measure of comfort keeping the livestock confined be it for medical treatment, animal births or survival in severe weather. The steamy warm animal smell mixing with the oxygen rich aroma of the fresh cut hay is addictive. There’s no better place to bottle feed a baby calf, groom a show animal or bed down beside a prized show heifer on a cold winter night.

Farm kids think of the barn as a giant club house. A space where things are allowed that would never be tolerated inside the family home. Away from the scrutiny of adults the barn is like a crude gymnasium. There’s lots of room for running, climbing, exploring and perhaps stealing a first kiss. The barn, a paradise under roof that offers protection from rain, shade and windbreak from winter’s cold, a year round playground. A bit of mystery, comfort and fun, the barn is a place of memories. Where are the kids? Playing in the barn, naturally.