tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788804841685495060.post5758476848056156399..comments2010-02-19T12:54:11.167-08:00Comments on black river notes: That Landscape Dilemma - Old vs. Newdocjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04661137658402565065noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788804841685495060.post-30978256136566502782009-01-22T21:41:00.000-08:002009-01-22T21:41:00.000-08:00I'm going to check out "The Lost Language of Villa...I'm going to check out "The Lost Language of Villages" - thanks for the title!Dana Wigdorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09848803148685524384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788804841685495060.post-27268263811363557312009-01-12T18:08:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:08:00.000-08:00Same with farmers. My cousin is a dairy farmer, an...Same with farmers. My cousin is a dairy farmer, and I've watched her amass so much debt for new equipment and expansion. I've been tempted to say--why don't you just sell it all, and keep one cow for milk, and have a garden again. She's be ahead financially, and with way less stress.<BR/><BR/>I found out that the old, massive Orton barn near where I live has been sold to someone for a used car lot. I was appalled, but a friend said, well, no one's bringing cows in there again, maybe this use will keep it standing. Maybe she's right--though I know I'll wince every time I drive by it.Susan Abbotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729773074834731314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788804841685495060.post-28189191716583465522009-01-09T07:28:00.000-08:002009-01-09T07:28:00.000-08:00Clair,The concept of adapting to new technology is...Clair,<BR/>The concept of adapting to new technology is an interesting one.<BR/>I remember, not many years ago, talking with a fellow who derived much of his income from wood resources. He made cedar oil during the summer, cut balsam brush in late fall, and I believe logged and cut cedar fence posts in the winter and spring. He used to use horses and now an ancient tractor. <BR/>He commented how his neighbors bought two fancy new skidders and with lots of bull-and-jamming proceeded to amass quite a pile of logs at their landing whereas my acquaintance slowly built a pile of logs for sale, at that time, skidding out logs with his horse.<BR/>Within a few months as he was heading out by his neighbors to work in the woods, a large tractor trailer was at his neighbors loading on the skidders. They had been repossessed by the bank. <BR/>I often wonder about embracing new technologies, do we need them all, or are the ad agencies and lobbyists working for the corporations telling us we can't survive without replacing all of our outdated?? technologies?docjohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04661137658402565065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788804841685495060.post-66423383388624436132009-01-09T03:16:00.000-08:002009-01-09T03:16:00.000-08:00Thanks for that John -- and yes -- one of the earl...Thanks for that John -- and yes -- one of the earliest forays I made after I was selected was to the Fleming, and the first solid quote I got was this from a card on Neil Drevitson's <B>Blue Farm Wagon and Barn</B>, 1991. <I>Barns and farmhouses comprise some of the most picturesque elements of the agricultural landscape; they are also some of its most ephemeral features. In order for a barn to remain useful, and in working condition, it must continually adapt to modern farming technology. When a barn outlives its usefulness, the expense of its preservation often fuels its neglect.</I><BR/>That little bit of writing struck me to the core. As did Satterthwaite's writing in the museum's landscape book. In fact, I think that's where I got the quote at the top of my blog. (Satterthwaite could certainly write!) This subject is so incredibly deep that it is easy to get lost in it, which is exactly what happened to me in October, November and half of December!!Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09151298064598120697noreply@blogger.com