Life on an old Nebraska Farmland.

[BigMikey]

My mother and father in-law once farmed this land they live on, and raised cattle. But that was a long time ago. Now they are in their 80s, and live a peaceful life in their very old farmhouse, the same house my father in-law was born and raised in. We spent the day there, having an early Christmas with them. I went walking through the farmland, looking at the old buildings that were once such an important part of their lives, used for raising chickens and cattle, and housing farm equipment. Now these buildings are barely able to stand on their own. I took some shots around the farm, and here are a few I have processed so far.


My mother in-law is a painter, and a good one. Age has not slowed her down, or effected her incredible talent. Here is one of her paintings that I captured while I was there:
http://www.pbase.com/bigmikey/image/37688295/original.jpg



Faded memories:
http://www.pbase.com/bigmikey/image/37688293/original.jpg



Faded love:
http://www.pbase.com/bigmikey/image/37688294/original.jpg



As we were walking to our truck to make the journey back home, we were greeted with this sunset. It took my breath away. My father in-law looked at me and said this was one of the reasons he loved farming and living in the country, here in Nebraska. I understood.

http://www.pbase.com/bigmikey/image/37688296/original.jpg

[N_reverie]

that last shot is amazing. # 2 and 3 are very nice also.

[OneManArmy]

Wow I really like #2... nice shadows

[BigMikey]

that last shot is amazing. # 2 and 3 are very nice also.

Thank you Reverie.

[BigMikey]

Wow I really like #2... nice shadows

Thank you. What's holding this old building up, I have no idea.

[stoneylonesome]

Beautiful shots, the sunset is a knock out. And your Mother-in-Law is a very talented artist nice painting.

[sparker1]

Enjoyed your shots and story of the folks...the kind of people that made this country great.

[snibbetsj]

All beautiful shots, your mother-in-law is quite the artist, the detail on the eagle is exquisite.

Beautiful sunset BTW.

:)

[dewmuw]

I spent a lot of my childhood on a farm and there is something very sad about disused equipment and buildings. But you images are wonderful.

Forgive my sentimentality:

Baby I know that we've got trouble in the fields
When the bankers swarm like locust out there turning away our yield
The trains roll by our silos, silver in the rain
They leave our pockets full of nothing
But our dreams and the golden grain


Have you seen the folks in line downtown at the station
They're all buying their ticket out and talking the great depression
Our parents had their hard times fifty years ago
When they stood out in these empty fields in dust as deep as snow

Chorus:
And all this trouble in our fields
If this rain can fall, these wounds can heal
They'll never take our native soil
But if we sell that new John Deere
And then we'll work these crops with sweat and tears
You'll be the mule I'll be the plow
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lotta love, here in these troubled fields

There's a book up on the shelf about the dust bowl days
And there's a little bit of you and a little bit of me
In the photos on every page
Now our children live in the city and they rest upon our shoulders
They never want the rain to fall or the weather to get colder

(Repeat chorus) You'll be the mule I'll be the plow
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lotta love, here in these troubled fields

[BigMikey]

Beautiful shots, the sunset is a knock out. And your Mother-in-Law is a very talented artist nice painting.

Thank you Stoney. If I could only paint like that! Even at her age, she still paints everyday.

[BigMikey]

Enjoyed your shots and story of the folks...the kind of people that made this country great.

They were definitely part of the greatest generation. They have seen so much in their lifetime. Thanks sparker.

[BigMikey]

All beautiful shots, your mother-in-law is quite the artist, the detail on the eagle is exquisite.

Beautiful sunset BTW.

:)

She blew me away with that eagle painting. She paints anything an everything, but she mostly loves flowers and birds.

[BigMikey]

I spent a lot of my childhood on a farm and there is something very sad about disused equipment and buildings. But you images are wonderful.

Forgive my sentimentality:



Thank you. I enjoyed reading that very much!

[gtg]

every one of those shots are great in their own way... especially ur grandma's art(1st) and the sunset(last) are awesome...

[thomascanty]

I like them all, especially the last one. I grew up in Nebraska. Well, it was the city -- Omaha, but we ventured out into the country pretty often, too.

[BigMikey]

every one of those shots are great in their own way... especially ur grandma's art(1st) and the sunset(last) are awesome...

Thank you much, gtg. We have great sunsets in Nebraska this time of year, but this one was exceptional. Lucky time for me, that I was out in the country when it occured.

[BigMikey]

every one of those shots are great in their own way... especially ur grandma's art(1st) and the sunset(last) are awesome...

Thank you gtg.

[BigMikey]

I like them all, especially the last one. I grew up in Nebraska. Well, it was the city -- Omaha, but we ventured out into the country pretty often, too.

Thanks Thomas. I live in Lincoln, which is not far from your home town as I'm sure you know. I love the going to the Zoo in Omaha. What a fantastic place for a photographer!

[JanS]

These are just wonderful. The sunset is amazing.

[LAWSON McCULLOCH]

I enjoyed looking at all the shots, and especially the lovely painting. What a very talented lady.

[BigMikey]

I enjoyed looking at all the shots, and especially the lovely painting. What a very talented lady.

Thank you Lawson. She still paints everyday. I hope to be able to just walk by the time I am that age :)

[BigMikey]

These are just wonderful. The sunset is amazing.

Thank you Jan.