Two (of the three) previous owners were in town and stopped by the farm to visit. So much fun! I was so happy to see them. I hugged them and then ran for a pad of paper and a pen. They walked all around the house and studio gardens telling me what everything is that is coming up! I took them through the house and the studio, to see the changes I’ve made so far (and the big studio renovation) and all about my future plans, and they told me about plans they had had and stories about the farm’s history. It used to be a cattle farm here, way back. I didn’t know that! And a veterinarian lived here just before them, the person who had all the horses (dozens) and she ended up having her horses taken away for neglect.
Now how ironic is that when I am taking in two rescued horses???????!!
Then they borrowed their own rake (that they left here) for the afternoon. I’ll stop by and pick it up on my way back with Morgan from the little store in town where we are going to pick out her saddle. (They still own a commercial building in the area, which they are getting ready to sell, which is why they borrowed the rake. It was kinda funny that they were borrowing their own rake, I thought.)
They ALSO showed me a cistern that is under the house!!!! And where I am SUPPOSED to be plugging a pump in to run it out periodically. WHO KNEW. They told me it’s handy because the water runs out a hose right by the house and they always used it for watering the gardens. Yes, I had (vaguely) noticed a hose there and a plug, but I couldn’t see what it went to and yes, you know me, I hadn’t even thought to ask anyone about it amidst the distraction of so much else going on here.
Off to the little store for horsey stuff. Patriot is coming tomorrow!!!
joykenn says:
Wow! That cistern could come in really handy in hot dry summers when you want to keep your garden watered BUT not knowing it was there and having it fill up without you knowing is scary. Glad they stopped by to fill you in on more about the farm! What nice people they seem to be. You are so lucky to have gotten a farm with such potential.
On April 1, 2012 at 1:36 pm
whaledancer says:
Oh, good! Having a chance to talk to previous owners is so valuable, especially about the garden. How nice to have a chance to learn more about your farm’s history (even though some of it was sad). And what a plus to learn about the cistern before it became another unpleasant surprise. Did you, by any chance, find out how there came to be a wall-in water heater?
On April 1, 2012 at 1:42 pm
willsahna says:
Two rescue horses? I obviously missed something. I only knew about Patriot. I love the history of things and places. How great that you can find out things about your farm. You now have the kind of farm I’ve always wanted with the white house and everything.
On April 1, 2012 at 3:48 pm
willsahna says:
Never mind! I scrolled down and found that I had missed a post. Now I know about Zip.
On April 1, 2012 at 4:04 pm
holstein woman says:
Whew!That is a relief, to find the cistern before it overfilled. I think I would be looking them up often to find out what I didn’t know about the property. I’d hate to see you having to recover from another disaster.
I can hardly wait to see Morgan on Patriot on her “New Saddle”,, nice. I have been wondering if you and Zip are going to have to be in front so Patriot will move faster than a walk? What do you think Suzanne?
On April 1, 2012 at 4:42 pm
mds9 says:
Did you ask where the access to the cistern or the pump is?
MDS
On April 1, 2012 at 4:47 pm
mds9 says:
I wonder it the OLD kitchen had a hand pump to the cistern?
On April 1, 2012 at 4:51 pm
zshawn says:
a cistern is so useful! a must for my next house.
On April 1, 2012 at 5:02 pm
hoosiergal says:
Suzanne,were the previous owners happy with all the improvements to the property? Did you tell them you had 5000+ readers that were happy with all the improvements made so far. Did you show
them your callosed hands from all the hard work???
I commend you for all the hard work to make all the improvements!!!!! hoosiergal
On April 1, 2012 at 5:55 pm
patbecky89 says:
Wheres Cocoa!!
On April 1, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
patbecky, I just posted about Coco a couple days ago. She is still at the vet. They want to keep the splint on her leg longer. It is helping her joint heal.
On April 1, 2012 at 8:19 pm
princessvanessa says:
Not to sound “snarky” but the previous owners had had “plans” for the farm. Judging by what all needed to be done around the farm they were better at thinking than doing.
You made plans and took immediate action to “git ‘er done”! Field fencing, plumbing, fixing the culvert problem, cleaning flower beds and mulching, white picket fencing and the studio redo. I’m sure I have not named all the improvements you’ve made. It really is YOUR farm now.
I bet they were amazed at how much you have accomplished in just a few months.
On April 1, 2012 at 10:02 pm
emit says:
I know that everyone should shop local but some things need to be looked into first.(saddle)Saddles can be bought over the internet a lot cheaper then a local store! You can travel over to Jackson Ohio to henderson’s tack shop where you will have a wide selection to choose from. I have bought both ways an I like henderson’s a lot better. You can choose from used to new in one place they also fix saddles there. just a thought…..
On April 2, 2012 at 7:24 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Thanks, emit. We have a very special little store here, and I support it. If we don’t support our little store, we won’t have a little store.
On April 2, 2012 at 7:41 am
emit says:
Well you are right about the local store. I have been in that store many times. I have hauled hay from roan county an felt a tug to stop an support that store because that is the only one in the area. Nice looking saddle, I am sure that Morgan will love it….
On April 2, 2012 at 9:31 pm