On the Farm

Life was a wonderful adventure. There was the barn, a wonderland of opportunity. Up in the loft we would rearrange all the hay bales into a complex series of tunnels and passages, creating a mysterious playground. When we had sufficiently frightened ourselves that danger was approaching, we would leap off the side of the loft and ‘fly’ to the pile of hay below.

The idea that what we had done was a real danger never occurred to us. Thankfully, the adults in our lives knew they could not keep us from these escapades and never left the pitchfork in the hay.

Back up into the loft we’d go and fly again. After a while, we would go into the loft and climb out the side window onto the chicken coop. It was a glorious view of the fields of hay, stone walls and gardens, pastures and cows. I’d love to go sit on that roof again and reminisce!

Sometimes, we would take the old barrel that stood near the barn, turn in on its side and climb atop to ‘walk’ the barrel down the hill from the barn. Faster and faster… What a thrill! Of course, we also hard to try riding inside the barrel down the hill – NOT a great idea! One day we got our hands on a huge tractor tire – Now THAT’S what to ride inside! What a wonderful trip that was!

The kids next door -- five of them! – would come up with games to play. Henry and I were the oldest, and whatever Henry said we would play is what we played. Until one day I discovered I could veto Henry. I didn’t want to play hide and seek. None of us but Henry wanted to play hide and seek. I said I wanted to play marbles, and Henry gave in without a fight. It was a revelation to me. Henry was smitten! I loved the idea, and the power!! Don’t worry, I wouldn’t take advantage of Henry, much.

We would sometimes walk on top of stonewalls down to the creek. It was fun, naturally, and the grown-ups had fits about it. In the pasture behind the house were usually cows. Once in a while a bull was out there, and this was the best way to avoid him and get to the creek. When the bull wasn’t in the pasture we would run barefoot through the pasture. Now if you think about it, this is a pretty big claim, but I NEVER once stepped on a cow-pie running through the pasture. I am so proud!

Some summer nights, which is when the rest of us liked to play hide and seek, we would catch fireflies in a jar. Once a year we put on a circus for the adults. This is where the walking on barrels comes in handy. Hula hoops were employed in some acts. All manner of acrobatics kept us on the move, and even the dog got dressed up for an act.

Once out back we scaled the humongous rocks. (I have returned as an adult and find it hard to believe how much those rocks have shrunk!) We played Indians, making pretend campfires, bows and arrows, tomahawks and huts. We were always busy doing something, and I don’t remember ever uttering the words, “I am bored.” We had great fun.