P.S. (not related to my other comment). I rarely show my professional side on SubStack (and keep it that way), but it’s pure luck no one was injured on that masonry wall collapse. That’s an unreinforced brick masonry wall (common in old non earthquake areas) and a bearing wall supporting an upper floor and roof. With first floor windows at or near the edge of the hole in the wall, more should have collapsed. Some things just defy the laws of physics.
This is why it’s important for parents to at least once or twice get their children away from their urban/suburban environment, tv screens, and phones to actually see what real America looks, sounds, smells and tastes like. Take a long road trip, forget Disneyland. Can’t afford hotels/motels? Camp or step down a notch to a Best Western or Motel 6. Someplace with rollaways and kids stay free. I did this twice with my kids through the Southwest and up into Colorado and a third time in central and north Florida (in-law visit and that took an airplane). And I told them exactly why too. Yes, you’ll get to see some beautiful places and national parks, but you’ll see the rest of America in small town diners and auto parts stores. Eye opening. Sadly, in 2022 I passed through some of the same small Colorado and Utah towns that the kids saw in 2008. Once small towns, populated by rural folks with downtown drug stores with ice cream counters and people that would talk to you even though you’re an out-of-towner are now dust bins with a Walmart on the edge of the next dried up town down the road.
Looks a little like some of the places around here. The small engine shop where I bought new rings for the tiller my father-in-law ran without changing oil for several years is gone but the church just up the hill is still there and has services every other week. Just over the hill is a recently built hog finishing barn.
Oh My Goodness...thank you Deb. I saw some those great photographers in the Smithsonian. Absolutely incredible work. Thanks...and have an awesome weekend! ❤️✌️
Thomas, I' so glad you appreciated that shot. Im sure some people looked at that, is she crazy? And while I might be a little bit, I thought it was so cool. 😃 Have a great Saturday!✌️
will get back to ya - re Orton, Ontario - population 80 .. & a cool tale from The Eastern Townships, Quebec - re a pump like that in a kitchen .. plus a well ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
Fantastic photos! I'm a city boy, but I was bussed into a farming community in Illinois during high school, and had a lot of friends there, so I've always had an affinity for rural folks. Lots of tasty Illinois corn!
Hey Charles! Thank you! The summers I spent on my grandparents farm were magical! I felt so loved and safe with them. Now I'm privileged to own the farm and although I seem to live all over the place, this will always be home. Seeing the little town in such disrepair was sobering, but it's happening all over America...times do change. Memories though... they are constant.
Well, thanks for restacking my political pieces on how we can perhaps do something about that disrepair. I think as a nation we need to show a little more pride for that part of the country. A WPA type thing might help a lot. There are other things I hope we can do, too. Articles and photos like this can help wake people up to the problem, especially when mixed in with such great sentimentality.
I hope in the future you write about what you do with your farm. That sounds very interesting.
Great photos, as always. There are a lot of towns in Ohio that are in a similar state. It's sad. The people farming don't own the acreage anymore. (Foreign interests control a lot of it.☹️) But somehow, people endure.
I was told a lot of Chinese interests are buying American farm land. I want to keep Nellwood in American hands. Thanks about the pictures-definitely emotional.
The rural midwest farming counties have been gutted. I grew up on a farm in 'red' Iowa. Gone! Corporate farming has decimated the small towns that were once vibrant. Resturants, grocery stores, movie theaters, clothing stores, and etc. This was the way of life growing up in the farming communities of the midwest. Will this life cone back? I believe it will. Immigrants will do this. A different way of life and flavors from those countries to make change.
"Corporate" ANYTHING is not good...these little bits of humanity are gone. But I agree with you... Our 'oh so important' immigrants who contribute so greatly to American society will bring these blighted areas back to life!!
Thanks Belinda… this is not far from the farm and after my friend and I walked all over, we had ice cream on the last day they were open for the season. A good day!!
There’s a small area of farms and fields here in NJ, but nothing like your photos show. The only area of the country where I saw country like yours is the southwest. The peace and quiet glows through the photos, I can feel the calm.
Your photographs really captured the rural town. Your memories are treasures that you’ll always keep.
Thanks Monica! I remember when it was bustling with activity!!
P.S. (not related to my other comment). I rarely show my professional side on SubStack (and keep it that way), but it’s pure luck no one was injured on that masonry wall collapse. That’s an unreinforced brick masonry wall (common in old non earthquake areas) and a bearing wall supporting an upper floor and roof. With first floor windows at or near the edge of the hole in the wall, more should have collapsed. Some things just defy the laws of physics.
Thanks Michael-I can’t imagine if the lawyer had been in his office. Very lucky no injuries.
This is why it’s important for parents to at least once or twice get their children away from their urban/suburban environment, tv screens, and phones to actually see what real America looks, sounds, smells and tastes like. Take a long road trip, forget Disneyland. Can’t afford hotels/motels? Camp or step down a notch to a Best Western or Motel 6. Someplace with rollaways and kids stay free. I did this twice with my kids through the Southwest and up into Colorado and a third time in central and north Florida (in-law visit and that took an airplane). And I told them exactly why too. Yes, you’ll get to see some beautiful places and national parks, but you’ll see the rest of America in small town diners and auto parts stores. Eye opening. Sadly, in 2022 I passed through some of the same small Colorado and Utah towns that the kids saw in 2008. Once small towns, populated by rural folks with downtown drug stores with ice cream counters and people that would talk to you even though you’re an out-of-towner are now dust bins with a Walmart on the edge of the next dried up town down the road.
Oh, you are spot on… it’s so important to get out of the bubble you’re in and see the rest of society. Thank you for saying this. I totally agree.
Looks a little like some of the places around here. The small engine shop where I bought new rings for the tiller my father-in-law ran without changing oil for several years is gone but the church just up the hill is still there and has services every other week. Just over the hill is a recently built hog finishing barn.
It’s a changing landscape… I’m very nostalgic about it. ❤️
Reminds me of Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and the other great Depression era photographers.🩷
Oh My Goodness...thank you Deb. I saw some those great photographers in the Smithsonian. Absolutely incredible work. Thanks...and have an awesome weekend! ❤️✌️
Wow Susan…such a well written memory, message and inspiration.
And…..what time is your appointment? 😊😊😊😊😊😊
LOL Wasn't that funny!? Anytime after lunch time, I guess! HAHA Thanks Tess!
My Kingdom for a Pump like that ! Fabulous Imagery ! Fab ! 🦎🏴☠️📸
Thomas, I' so glad you appreciated that shot. Im sure some people looked at that, is she crazy? And while I might be a little bit, I thought it was so cool. 😃 Have a great Saturday!✌️
will get back to ya - re Orton, Ontario - population 80 .. & a cool tale from The Eastern Townships, Quebec - re a pump like that in a kitchen .. plus a well ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Just stunning photos. What a great eye!
A real compliment, coming from you....if we lived closer, I would buy yo ua beer and we would talk about music and cameras all day! THANKS, Geoff!
Really
Fantastic photos! I'm a city boy, but I was bussed into a farming community in Illinois during high school, and had a lot of friends there, so I've always had an affinity for rural folks. Lots of tasty Illinois corn!
Hey Charles! Thank you! The summers I spent on my grandparents farm were magical! I felt so loved and safe with them. Now I'm privileged to own the farm and although I seem to live all over the place, this will always be home. Seeing the little town in such disrepair was sobering, but it's happening all over America...times do change. Memories though... they are constant.
Well, thanks for restacking my political pieces on how we can perhaps do something about that disrepair. I think as a nation we need to show a little more pride for that part of the country. A WPA type thing might help a lot. There are other things I hope we can do, too. Articles and photos like this can help wake people up to the problem, especially when mixed in with such great sentimentality.
I hope in the future you write about what you do with your farm. That sounds very interesting.
Love your writing….appreciate it, too. I always learn something! Have a great weekend!
Thank you for the kind words as usual. Love your writing, as well. Have a great weekend.
Your photography matches you storytelling perfectly
A real compliment coming from someone with your skill, Dirk. Much appreciated. 🙏
Great photos, as always. There are a lot of towns in Ohio that are in a similar state. It's sad. The people farming don't own the acreage anymore. (Foreign interests control a lot of it.☹️) But somehow, people endure.
I was told a lot of Chinese interests are buying American farm land. I want to keep Nellwood in American hands. Thanks about the pictures-definitely emotional.
The rural midwest farming counties have been gutted. I grew up on a farm in 'red' Iowa. Gone! Corporate farming has decimated the small towns that were once vibrant. Resturants, grocery stores, movie theaters, clothing stores, and etc. This was the way of life growing up in the farming communities of the midwest. Will this life cone back? I believe it will. Immigrants will do this. A different way of life and flavors from those countries to make change.
"Corporate" ANYTHING is not good...these little bits of humanity are gone. But I agree with you... Our 'oh so important' immigrants who contribute so greatly to American society will bring these blighted areas back to life!!
Beautiful photos Susan!
Thanks Belinda… this is not far from the farm and after my friend and I walked all over, we had ice cream on the last day they were open for the season. A good day!!
Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing your memories.
Appreciate that Kathy. Rural towns like this are slowly disappearing. Good to have you here!
So true & I see this happening in Iowa just as well.
It’s a damned shame, isn’t it? To see empty buildings and storefronts…😞
There’s a small area of farms and fields here in NJ, but nothing like your photos show. The only area of the country where I saw country like yours is the southwest. The peace and quiet glows through the photos, I can feel the calm.
Oh it’s quiet! Unless it’s a coyote howling or an owl the back deck at the farm is silent! 🙏
And watch out for those raccoons on your deck. They’re sure cute but feisty little things.
Oh yes! They can get into the cat food in the shed…and my brother will shoot them. UGH!