PLAYING ON A FARM--NOT BORING!

       Years ago, after my youngest grandson mentioned that he thought it would be boring living on a farm. I reminded him very quickly that it was not and here were some examples. First of all our farm was 160 acres and that was a good start.

       Each farm building was to be explored. Especially the barn. The haymow was always exciting to do a little jumping off and down to soft hay below.  Climbing up to the peak and just enjoying the view and a little daydreaming from atop my world.

      We had a cave behind our house where a home had sat at one time, moved, capped with concrete. A cellar type angled wood door and concrete steps led down to my "headquarters/hideout" for hours and hours of playtime. 

       The groves north of our home provided lots of time playing Tarzan or cowboys up in those trees. Further out into the northeast corner of our farm was a deep crrek/ravine that was graet for exploring. 

      My cousins on my dad's side only lived a mile away on their adjoining farms. We had their ponds, grounds, and buildings to explore. We also had an old military surplus Jeep to drive around in. What fun!

      In our machine shed where the dirt was soft from machinery rolling around, I would build roads with my Tonka trucks and earth movers. I had an electric train set up in the basement on a "cool" plywood layout. Our house was big enough with 5 bedrooms upstairs., a full attic and basement to spread out for playing. Especially on rainy days.

       As mentioned in another story, we had a huge front yard for family events and recreation. Nearby Indian Burial grounds to explore on an adjacent farm. Did I mention the farms to explore of nearby playmates? There were culverts under roads to explore and fishing Rock Creek which originated just north of our place.

        In the winter when we were snowed in, we would play games like Chinese Checkers and yes, we did have radio and TV. The winter also provided lots of snow with huge drifts to build igloos and great sledding. Then when staying in Marshalltown with cousins, that opened up many more opportunities to meet new kids and new territory t explore.

        Living on a farm in the 1950's was not boring to say the least. And, lots of times working and playing went hand in hand. There was always some kind of action going on. All that with no computers, smart phones, or social media!