February 26, 2009

New England Barns

February 26, 2009/ A Restless Transplant

Desperately searching for talking points, my friends' awkward parents always ask me, "...So, how is New England different from the Northwest?" I usually fire back with a stock answer like, "Well, most people are much more socially conservative, and the whole preschool thing was completely new to me," and thus dodge a prolonged conversation. Regardless of my poorly-masked lack of enthusiasm for discussing cultural differences with uninterested, Xanax-infused housewives, I ponder their question long after dinner is over.

After spending countless hours driving to and from remote colleges around the New England countryside, I finally have an answer worth listening to. It's the barns.

The Northwest doesn't have old, beautiful barns. The wet climate rots wood and the harsh wind chips paint and rips off shingles. Most barns are textureless extensions of a suburb made from prefab trusses with synthetic or aluminum siding and roofs, and cement floors. New England barns transversely, are old wooden, structures who sag and chipped paint only makes them more enduring.

Here are some photos taken on the side of New England roads that embody the weathered beauty of a good barn.

Here are some more links,
Barnsaver.com (Thanks Sam).

February 25, 2009

Carey and His 24-Year-Old Beard

February 25, 2009/ A Restless Transplant

When most people think of southern Vermont, they think of skiing, overpriced maple syrup and picturesque dairy farms, not men like Carey. I spotted Carey shoveling snow off of his trailer in North Windham, Vermont on Saturday, the 21st. His openness and friendliness was that of someone often overlooked and neglected by passers-by.

Carey hasn't cut his beard since "sometime in '85." I was born in '88.

Carrey is New England.

Here are some more links,
Carey (Picasa),
More Photos from Vermont (Picasa),
Side of the Road (ART).

February 23, 2009

Harry McCotty and His Rose Tattoo

February 23, 2009/ A Restless Transplant

Harry McCotty is the real deal. During the summer, he is a stone foremen. During the winter, he splits wood in his backyard outside of East Dorset Vermont. Regardless of the season, he wears wool.

Although born and raised in southern Vermont, Harry received formal training as a topiarist in London, England in his early twenties.

Harry got this Rose tattoo during a 5 year stint in traveling throughout Europe in his mid 20s.

Harry manning his hydraulic wood splitter.

Here are some more links,
Harry McCotty (Picasa),
Side of the Road (ART).

February 10, 2009

Raymond Carey and his 1963 John Deere 420

February 10, 2009/ A Restless Transplant

Meet Raymond Carey and his 1963 John Deere 420. I saw him plowing his driveway right off Highway 137 in Albion Maine. For Mainards, clearing snow with a large piece of machinery is as satisfying as popping the air pockets on protective wrap.

Raymond enthusiastically let me take photos of him doing his daily task and we chatted for some time. He was quick to say that he had recently turned 89 and he was wearing his fifteen-year-old Carhartt jacket .