OFI 794: Let’s Make Some Music Together In The Housebarn!

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Living Over Your Livestock

Some people could care less about history, some people have a passing interest in history and then there are people like me who can get totally lost in history and wish they could have lived in those times.

We just started kidding, and we have moved a few of our does and newborns and some of our expectant does into our garage.  We don’t have a shop or barn yet, so the garage is all we’ve got.  My studio and office is right above our garage.  Occasionally I can hear the goats down below me.  It makes me think of what raising livestock in Old World Europe was like.  

People used to design “housebarns” so that their livestock lived in the house with them.  Below is what I found about housebarns on Wikipedia:

Housebarns were built beginning in prehistoric times after people discovered that the body heat of animals helps to warm human living areas. The ancient four room house is an iron age type highly identified with the ancient Israelites.

Living with livestock in the combined building also allowed people to be able to prevent thieves from stealing their animals.

Housebarns were developed in western Europe, Scandinavia, and the British Isles and continued being built into the 19th century. The first three designs in the 1839 edition of An Encyclopedia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture… were for combined living space for the farm family and their animals.

Immigrants to North America rarely built housebarns; they typically divided the barn and house functions into separate buildings although part of New England in particular is known for its connected farms.

Dealing With Self-Isolation

As I’m writing this I am feeling pretty lucky.  Jared Flinn, the host of the Bulkloads Podcast, just sent me the audio for next Monday’s show, which will be episode #90 of Bulkloads.  As I am listening to this to prepare for editing and show production, I am listening to an interview with one of their clients who has contracted Covid-19.  

Listening to this story, I am feeling very lucky that none of my family has contracted this yet.  The gentleman who Jared is interviewing is in his late 50’s and healthy, and listening to him you can absolutely hear how this virus is impacting him.  Also, the gentleman who he contracted this from at church has passed away from Covid-19 already.  

So, I was preparing to be humorous and light hearted about having my wife and daughter in the house full-time, but I don’t think I will now.  I will say that it is amazing how we have gone from being so busy to having nothing to do.  There are no 4H meetings, no softball practices, no softball tournaments, no school, no work (for Autumm), no orchestra concerts, no out to dinner, no movies…nothing.  

I have always been thankful to have a farm, but I am extra thankful to have one during this shut down.  Being able to get outside, work on projects, watch the livestock or just walk around is really needed and welcome.  

We hope you are all getting through this very well.  One bright spot is that it appears that agriculture is remaining relatively strong.  But, what choice do we have.  Can you imagine the long term effects if agriculture shut down?  It is already strange to walk into a grocery store and see empty shelves.  But at least I know they will be full again soon.

With my new found free time I have been trying to do something better than watch television or the news with my time.  I have decided to dive deep into music.  If you can remember the ad for Maxell cassette tapes from back in the 1980’s, I’m trying to be that guy, just sitting in my chair with the music blowing my hair and scarf back (if I had hair or a scarf).

I’d love for you to share your favorite music with me while we are all in lockdown.  Here is how you can do it.  First thing – open a Spotify account. You can do this for free.  Then follow this link in the show notes: https://open.spotify.com/user/p7dqvch7x5iodqoynly4jfhsi/playlist/5sOPOAfkeTVVZqCTJEkJ87?si=n7A1iLRBRriecnOk6-lXFA.  

Once you follow it you can listen to everything I put on there, and you can add your own songs.  I titled the playlist “Off-Farm Income Music”.  I hope you’ll add some music and announce on the Facebook page what you put on there.  Seems like a fun way for all of us to connect during the lock down.  And, it satisfies my lifelong desire of being a cool DJ like on WKRP in Cincinnati…

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters