Chickens in the Basement

I love to write and I love to laugh. When I write, I get to the point quick. My stories would fit on the back of a postcard. They usually make me chuckle. And you know what they say, "It's all about me!"

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Watcha Got in There?

The other day, I took the back roads to Creedmoor. I had to pick up some chicken feed for Little Melvin. The food for the Girls and Skippy is too big for him!
I think this area used to be huge for chicken farmers. All of these buildings are old chicken houses.

Can you imagine having to name all of the chickens living in one of these houses? They are no longer in use.

I would love to have permission to go into these buildings and see what kind of treasures I could stir up! Old chicken feeders...nesting boxes...tobacco sticks...

Then, I wondered why this house is no longer lived in. Who owns it? What's in it? Why doesn't anyone care for it? If the trees were cut down, I think it would be a cute little house.
And this one is on a main road. I have watched it for years. No one has lived in it. But hay bales, stacks of wood and now a pile of dirt have been stored in and around it. The windows have been removed. But the bones of this old house are so intriguing. Who used to live here? Did they ditch this beautiful place for a double wide? Where are the old furnishings that used to decorate this home?

And this old pack house (the roughest building of all that I photographed), seems to be loved by someone. I imagine a Carolina Wren nesting in the dried old wreath...forget the cheesy birdhouse hanging from the rafters. The weathered wood is beautiful to me. Inside, I'm sure we would find a great grandmother's treasures. Old dry sinks...a warped, well-used rocking chair...Hoosier cabinets...a pie safe...a cradle...
I wish I had the nerve to knock on the door to a nearby house to see if the owner lived there and ask for permission to rummage through the chicken houses, old barns, and dilapidated homes. I would love the be the girly version of American Pickers. All I need is a camera crew and a truckload of nerve!


22 comments:

jamie@midcenturymania said...

I'd be your sidekick. I love those old places. What fun to go a-rummaging!

Rose H (UK) said...

I'm fairly certain that if you did find the owners they would be happy for you to use their disgarded items. It's such a shame that the house is left to decay, I'm sure someone would be able to 'rescue' it. I'd have to admit though that I'm glad the hen sheds are no longer used for their intensive farming purposes.

The Queen of Clearance said...

I love the way you look at things unloved and wonder about them! It is great to see the deeper meaning and beauty in the things around us that others don't notice :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh just for a peek inside!!

Jenny said...

Lets do it! I'm game!!

Barbara said...

Vintage Christine is right!!

I'll go with you!!

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

PEER PRESSURE! Now you have to do it lol...

Take pics and tell us what you find! =D

Heck the only thing you find in old homes around here are crackheads *yikes*

lol.....


I WISH I could go look in old places like those!

Do it! Do it!

Legacy of Love said...

Love the bldgs! I am always in awe of old barns and houses. I, like you wonder about the history.

You should try googling the addresses, who knows what you may find?

Have a great eve

(By the way we used to have a Riley dog too, he was spastic when he was young, a beautiful black and white Huskey)

Breezy said...

I love the photo's~~ and the possibilities! Sounds like fun

Anonymous said...

I would love to see a girly version of American Pickers! Wouldn't that be a dream job?!!!

Liz

Little Messy Missy said...

You should find out who does own them and go a knocking!!!! I love the white house!

Anne Lorys said...

You and me both, sista! I definitely plan on being the female, Texas version of American Pickers!

These photos are just great. I so often see old buildings and dwellings and think much the same thoughts.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Anne

Mary said...

Hey Anna, I want the position of photographer if you drive the truck AND go inside to chase the rats and snakes away! Don't you get a kick out of American Picker - even they have back problems hauling all that mean looking stuff they dig up in barns. And how about some of those people who have stockpiled amazing things - so funny!!!!

That tiny Melvin is so adorable - I'd let him visit my cleavage too, lol!!

Anonymous said...

All you photos remind me of a poem,
The house beside the road, where the race of men go by....does make you stop and ponder of days gone by and the kind of life that they lived.

gin said...

those are the best treasures! just stop and peek in!

Jill said...

When I was younger I used to have more nerve to go through old houses (without asking-oops!) I would never take anything, just look. I did about six months ago stop at one with my husband. I think he was a bit intimidated. I just wanted to take pictures. You just can not create the ambiance of an abandoned building.

Stacey said...

Sounds like you've had some exciting times with your chickens. The little guy is so cute! And I love the pictures of the barns you took- They look mysterious and wonderful!
And those wooden frames are great! The next time I'm in Raleigh I should take a few for the shop! Hope you are well- Things here are good... Just getting really excited about the trip to Brimfield, MA for the huge antique show they have up there. My sister is coming with me!
Looking forward to seeing you if you're still planning on coming to DC- I'd love to get together!

Amy said...

Beautiful photos and interesting places. I just hate seeing places left to just fall down. Buildings have such stories to tell.

Eccentricities said...

I always wonder why someone would abandon a cool little house. For a real life example of someone who DID find out why someone abandoned their wonderful home, with everything in it, check out The House on Loon Lake, a "This American Life" story. It's so interesting!!

Chickens in the Basement said...

I have heard that story on This American Life. We started listening on the way home from my mothers and wound up sitting in the driveway to finish listening. Even my boys, probably 8 and 10 years old at the time, sat and listened, too. It always bothered me what items were left behind!

Anna

Chicken Boys said...

Okay, a couple of things....there's a huge, fancy house around the corner from me. I mean like only a few years old...looks like it's not quite finished. But there is a gate on the driveway, and I've not seen a soul there since we moved in the neighborhood in Nov. of 08. Strange, huh? Also, my brother used to work for Rose Acres Egg Farm in Hyde Co. They're not very humane. If they find a rooster, they kill it. He said each day he'd have to walk about two miles looking for dead chickens. Out of about 12 million chickens, they'd have 200-300 dead chickens a day! How awful is that?!
~Randy

Yarni Gras! said...

I would be right there with ya! I love the white abandoned house....it is lovely. I always think it is sad to see abandoned homes...they just look dejected to me.

On a funny note, my husband used to live on "Chicken Farm Road." hee hee