The Last Annual Barn Party!

When we bought Cowfeathers 11 years ago, I had so many plans for the place! They all piled up in my brain to be sifted out and tackled in turn. The barn is so beautiful, and has the stamp of hundreds of years of use in every beam...the barn will be 2 centuries old this decade. More about that later. But, when I walked around the top of the barn, with its worn, heavy floors and soaring height, I saw it as the ideal place for a Barn Dance. And 9 years ago, for Huz' 40th Birthday, the first Barn Party commenced. Because it was also a big birthday, and a huge novelty, we had family from all over, friends from all over, all the neighbors, tons of food and the best darn band I ever was lucky enough to book! We all loved the party, if not the temperature- it was COLD. And it became an annual event, albeit a month earlier in the calendar.
 This year, I believe was the last Annual Barn Party.
A pictorial of  this year's event, once again graced with fabulous weather, in this beautiful, old barn.

 Pete Shew and the Back Porch Swing Band have set aside a Saturday evening in the fall each year for the past 9. They come in one or two at a time, until we have a wonderful crew of musicians, singing, calling squares and boy, I love that fiddle!

This little guy figured out an "allemande left with a grand chain" smart as a whip!

 We had some ADORABLE kids here this year! They helped sing, play maracas, and were fast learners in the square dancing challenge.

Tucker has been to all 9 barn parties. He was a youngster at the first, and an elder statesman at the last. 

 The first year of the Barn Party, I rented a porta-potty. Really not my thing. It was expensive, and icky. So, the next year, before September rolled around, I built an outhouse for the barn. Charming, well appointed, full of light from the window, people didn't mind using this outhouse. It had a Dorothy moment a few years back when it got picked up by the wind and deposited in the cornfield. Luckily, we have friends. And a fine group showed up to roll it back into place. The window didn't even break! But, alas, the door was never the same again.

 Dad encouraging this cutie to shake those maracas!

 Unlike some years, when gale force winds had us all inside the barn, this year was warm, with a light breeze. Perfect for listening to a band play old standards and eat a plate of pot luck. Julia (black dog) didn't exactly beg...she just put herself very, very close.

I am terrible about hostessing as well as snapping photos. Fortunately for me, one of my pals picked up my camera and shot some pictures, allowing me to forever have this image of myself doing "The Blurry Robot."

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 And this, better one of Huz and his "country gal".

 This year was a great year for kids who wanted to dance. And, to me, this is a big part of why I love this party. Kids and their parents dancing together, seeing Mom and Dad having fun, being foolish. And in the square, everyone is an equal partner, or corner...

 Speaking of corners, this was the boyz corner. Ironically, opposite the girlz, who were sitting together outside. It was like 7th grade all over again!

 This is my boss, Dr. John, "goin' roun' the outside" with a capable little dance partner.

 The big kids gettin' fancy! Eldest was my only child who could be at the Barn Party this year. Both Middlest and Youngest had band obligations. This is a central reason why this party will be the last. It has been years since my children could all be here, and while they are elsewhere, I am missing out on cheering them on in their pursuits. But, at least Eldest made it! She brought a friend, Nick, and I think they danced every square.

 For many dances, Julia wanted to participate. But by now, all these folks are expert at dancing around dogs and children!

 And boy, do I love that fiddle! This night of the year is the best night to do the barn chores. As I feed and water all the critters below, the band playing above seems like magic!

Eventually, Julia found her safe spot, where she could observe everyone but didn't get stepped on.

Leaving the Barn Party behind makes room for something else? We shall see. And, perhaps I will revive some sort of barn centered celebration for the bicentennial of the Cowfeathers Barn!













twice!