Don't stop moving or trying. You may not ever find the momentum again.

I met a man today who is repurposing and old barn.  Well, a part of it at least; for right now.  He still has  cows in the back and side but, he built a small apartment in one corner.  As we scaled the stairs in the old silo to the upper part, he and I talked of age and usefulness.  This is the third building he is refurbishing on the property, he told me.  He felt bad that it had taken him so long to get to the barn.  It had been looking pretty sad in recent years, almost structurally unsound.

We didn’t exchange names, or discuss permits but did talk of taxes, debt and how so many things were knocked down to make room.  We also discussed age and creativity.  He kept doing while he could and in consequence; he could still keep doing.  My mom does that, stays creative.  She no longer goes to shows and sculpts in bronze but, she has a project that keeps her creatively active.

The Barn Man and I talked of tomorrows and how if we keep banking on them, they aren’t always there to spend.  Do the things you think are important today, don’t wait.  My job as an artist gives me more freedom to spend today instead of tomorrow, like stopping and talking to and older barn owner refurbishing a building that probably isn’t needed in the future.  Chances are that if I had banked on tomorrow to stop, I wouldn’t have been able to meet this amazing man.

This man understood craftsmanship.  He had pegged his hardwood floors instead of nailed them.  The ceiling was arched pegged wood as well.  He explained all the changes he had done to the barn over the years to keep it up until he could turn his full attention to it.  Because of his care and understanding of true craftsmanship, the barn waited until now.  It smelled of warm contentment as the cows watched us from the loafing shed.  The Musky scent of well cared for cattle added more charm to the building and I could envision myself being happy it what he was building.  He has more plans for it beyond just this small living space, I would almost want to be there if it weren’t for the taxes he is going to inevitably pay.

What is the point? If it going to be too expensive or even probably knocked down in another 20 years?  That which is built and how it is created, teaches those who come along after us. It isn’t the destination that gives us purpose in life but more importantly the journey.  Someday, I will post pictures of the barn but I want to hoard the secret of this place for a while longer.  I don’t want him to be bothered by bureaucrats or busy bodies who look for more taxes to collect.  He is on a side road between someplace and getting there, he doesn’t need to be pestered on his journey.  We have our own places to stop.  Maybe this year, I will ask if I can stand a while and paint what he is working on.  We’ll see, I don’t know if my journey will give me another tomorrow with him.  At least I took today.