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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer January 22, 2007- - No. 83 |
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It is in the back yard, between the house and the woods. That's where the fifth annual corn hut has been constructed this year. Son Will does the design work early on in the late summer. A good supply of corn stalks are cut and hauled just prior to the Dad's combine going into the fields at harvest time. A sturdy framework of sunflower stalks support the unusual structure. They are grown in the young boy's garden during the summer; specifically for the project.
This year's hut is the best one yet. Will's sister Anne helps out often as the place comes together. This can be anywhere from three to six weeks time - or more. She is full of ideas as to how the inside should be arranged, brings lots of interesting additions to the place to make it feel "lived in." The Dad gets in on it too. But, they only let him do the more monotonous chore of adding corn stalk after cornstalk to make up the walls and roof. This year the framework was covered with plastic before the outside walls went on. It is almost completely snow and water proof inside the little place.
The floor is covered with bright yellow wheat straw. Three or four small windows of clear plastic let in sunlight during the day. At night, flickering candle light sends shadows dancing about the interior. There is a small loft above, under the highest part of the single pitched roof; just big enough for one small to medium sized kid at a time. There are books in the library section, cooking and eating utensils stacked on a hanging shelf. A small Christmas tree in one corner has lights on it, electric from the extension cord running to the house. There is a fire place this year too, for burning wood. Low to the ground, made up of red bricks with a sheet metal lining and tin door on wire hinges. A used tractor exhaust pipe works just right for the stove pipe going out the back wall.
Now that January is here it would be a good time to stop for visit. The finishing touches came about over the past few days. Find your way into the back yard, step up to and push aside the hanging tarp at the entrance. You may just find Anne and Will "at home." Bend over a bit and step inside, you'll be glad you did. |
