Comments on: SENTINEL

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:21:45 +0000

Hi Stephanie – Thank you so much. There is so much pride and dignity remaining in these places. They remind me of old soldiers at parade rest. And of course, the light is so melancholy at this time of year, too.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:10:08 +0000

Betsy, what a lovely story. I felt as if I were there with you, touching the wallpaper, seeing the saucer shard. And seeing the family coming down for breakfast in the darkest part of morning. There are many abandoned farms here where we live and when looking at them they always sadden me somewhat, but seeing them “dignified in their diminishment” gives me hope. And a smile.
Thank you for sharing your writings. They are much appreciated.

By: Featured Readers | Deeper Issues

Featured Readers | Deeper Issues — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:12:50 +0000

[...] Sentinel [...]

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:48:36 +0000

Hi John – I’m so glad you liked what I wrote. You are now the caretaker of this beautiful piece of land. I would love to see the abstract sometime. Pete and I watched the movie “Death of the Dream” and really liked it, so I am looking forward to seeing the book sometime. Thanks for inviting me to return, you may regret it!

By: John Barnes

John Barnes — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:22:44 +0000

Betsy, Thanks for writing so beautifully about “the sentinal”. It’s nice to see that perspective. When I first bought the farm 11 years ago, I spent hours reading through the abstract to try to figure out who all the past owners were and I imagined the families that grew up there. The original government patent was in 1866 to Ole Tortenson and his wife Julia. From there the abstract is filled with Scandanavian names. I have a book called “Death of the Dream” that’s all about Classic Minnesota Farmhouses and each farm has a unique history. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit and I hope you will return often. John B.

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Hi Barbara – I’m amazed and glad about how affecting this entry has been. So many of us have come out of this way of life in one way or another. How great that you were able to return, and that the farm is still in your family. My brother has done a wonderful job keeping the soul of our dad’s farm alive, but others live in the house now. They’ve done a great job renovating it, but it doesn’t look anything like it did. Thank you.

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:54:41 +0000

Hi Betsy – This is a beautifully written piece that brings back lots of wonderful memories of my childhood. I loved the family farm. Two years ago I took a trip back to Michigan and got to spend time on the farm. As I walked around the property the memories came rushing back and for a moment or two, I felt like I had never left. Fortunately the house has been lived in (by relatives) so it’s character remains. I was also happy to see the old barn was still standing.

Thanks for letting me take another walk down memory lane.

Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Blogging To Do List – Do It, Delete It Or Delegate

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:26:07 +0000

Hi Pink – Yes, I think there must be some kind of other dimension that memorializes life within a place. Thanks for coming by.

Hi Beth – So many of us are descended from farmers, aren’t we? I’m glad this post provoked your memories.

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:52:05 +0000

My grandfather was a farmer. Thanks for such a beautiful post. It brough some great memories back

Beth´s last blog post..Halloween Kitty

By: Pink Ink

Pink Ink — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:43:23 +0000

Lovely post and blog . Thing that is amazing is that these sentinels were once a part of someone’s thriving life.

Pink Ink´s last blog post..A Long-Distance Family