SharivilleLife stories from Shari

It’s been cold and windy and rainy and we find that Denise’s trailer if better able to hold the heat than ours.  I still cannot think of a better person to have that trailer.  We do have a great heat pump it just seems to cool down faster.  Jerry is definitely on the mend, the truck is back to normal, and it’s the first day he wanted to escape my cooking and go to the Omelet House.  I have to admit I was also glad.

Then we decided to find May City, and the old Mennonite graveyard and barn.  Now that was another hilarious endeavor.  After 2 hrs. and 10 gallons of fuel, Jerry’s version, we finally found this noted landmark.  Around here they have the “best hidden,” brochure noted, must see points of interest.  We never did see a single sign, anyone who knows me knows I definitely rely on road signs. I have even enabled myself to read road signs along the road at 70 MPH. Well anyway after asking 4 different people and getting 4 different directions we finally found a farmer type , very nice man, who led us directly to the barn in question.  Only  to discover that we had already passed it and I had Jerry back up so I could get a picture of the nice red barn.  Somehow I was expecting a really big red barn. Anyway, it is a landmark because Mennonite people built their barns differently than others and although well preserved its one of the oldest barns in Osceola county. At one time near the red barn was a real settlement, a jewelry store, cigar factory, blacksmith shop, and grocery.

The Mennonite barns are distinguished by an overhang, or farbay, on the second story to provide shade for the livestock.  They say descendants occas return to May City area to visit the cemetery. The little cemetery was interesting, very old, the newest date was 1902, and mostly from the middle 1800′s.  There are only 26 headstones.  It seems most of the occupants were young children or babies. It must have been difficult and sad out here on the prairie’s trying to homestead.  It so reminds me of Little House on the Prairie.  I can only imagine the harsh winters and how soul wrenching to lose your babies to the elements and sickness.  It was a small and sad little cemetery.

It’s truly a beautiful part of America here,  There are over 200 different seasonal wild flower species among the prairie grasses.  This definitely adds to the ambiance of this part of Iowa.  I’m so glad we had extra time here, although not for the reason for the delay.  I got some nice pictures of the old barns, the one sad thing that goes with farm life and old barns is that there are far to many cats and kittens who really need someone to hold them and love them and take good care of them.  This is so sad to me and  I know to you too, Liz.   More to come I’m sure.   Hugs,      S and J.