Old and New

Old and New

This scene really got my attention.  First of all, just the barn itself on a stone foundation, still standing tall.   A new paint job will do wonders, but the old gal is so sturdy-looking, the windows are still square, no sagging or leaning of the main frame.   The windows look like they have cardboard covering them from the inside, but its the early morning golden sun reflected in the glass.   Almost 125 years old, amazing!

The barn scene by itself, I thought, is picture-worthy, but standing in the shadow of those magnificent windmills gives the scene a striking contrast between two periods of time.  The long clean lines of the modern windmills, owned and operated by giant corporations, are recent additions to the landscape in an effort to supplement electric power to satisfy the growing demand across the country.

The scene is symbolic of the classic struggle between rich and poor.  The aristocratic windmills standing erect with overly-straightened backs, their nose in the air, and dressed in their finest outfits, looking down at the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth dry-land farmer.   But the old barn is self-reliant, unashamed of his net “worth”, proud of his accomplishments and self-assured of his value system.  The barn is not intimidated by the presence of the new rich and continues to go about his business like he has in the past.

Thought for the Day:  Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.   Abraham Lincoln