We had a barnyard between the barn and the west side of the house. Cattle were passed from one pasture to another through the barnyard. Machinery was stored there and our driveway form the main road (Route H) came right up to the yard gate. Actually, the front of the house faced North, but that entrance was seldom used. When the weather was dry the dusty barnyard was a good place to “build roads” for our play cars. We built roads and cities and drove our cars on the fine dust. Close to the barn the dirt was filled with little depressions. These were the homes of the “doddlebug.” If you put your mouth close to the depression and called doddle, doddle, doddle many times, a bug would come up to greet you. They are dark gray and about ¾ inch long.
To the north of the house was a small field that was used for pasture, calves and an orchard. We had pear, apple, and peach trees at one time. There was also a large area of spearmint growing there. We used to crush the green leaves to get the flavor out and make the best spearmint tea… both cold and hot.
You did a good job describing the layout of the farm. At one time father built a chicken house on the North side of the house he put it right in the peppermint… it didn’t last as long as the one on the south side, I am not sure why.
I’m pretty sure it was a strong wind that blew the north-side chicken house over. Mother planted Cockscomb flowers there after it blew over. The fertilizer from the chickens, made a good flower bed. She was pretty proud of those flowers.
I remember those flowers. Where can we get chicken dung.
Of all the things they grew on the farm the spearmint facinated me! I loved walking around it to pick it. You couldn’t help but step on some of it. It smelled so good!