Monday, April 25, 2016

Arkansas PBS TV Filming In Our Farmhouse Kitchen !!!!

 
Surprise. . .Surprise. . .I've known for several weeks that Kevin Clark, Producer at AETN would be visiting The Country Farm Home and Duncan Farmstead but I kept it secret until it actually happened. . .Anything could have gone wrong. . .which takes me back to my frustration with the massive dust storm we had and the days of clean-up it took to get the house and farm back in order. . .We had a deadline to make. . .With diligence and determination, we made it. . .
 
 
Kevin is filming a documentary on vintage ARKANSAS BARNS that will air in August. . .He happened upon our two barns on the net and decided to include them. . .I thought it was just a matter of getting the grounds ready. . .and telling him the basics as he shot the photos. . .But that wasn't all. . .Once he arrived I found out differently. . .He wanted to interview John and myself also. . .We suddenly found ourselves sitting in front of two cameras. . .all wired up. . .telling the FARMSTEAD story. . .and the BARN HISTORY. . .I didn't have time to get nervous. . .although it's not easy to recall information on the spur of the moment. . .I think it went well, though. . .He has plenty to cut and edit for our little spot on the program. . .
 
 
Once the interview was done. . .Kevin decided he wanted shots of the FARMHOUSE KITCHEN also. . .As you know, our kitchen is representative of the 1930s. . .making for a Depression Period or Vintage Farmhouse backdrop. . .
 
 
Kevin was born and raised in Northeast Arkansas. . .but has been working at AETN in Conway for 20 years. . .I think he enjoyed coming back to his roots. . .and spending time on the FARM. . .In fact, he stayed into Friday evening in order to catch an awesome sunset with a farmstead setting. . .Can't wait to see that one. . .Can't wait to see the entire program. . .But we'll all have to be patient. . .It won't be aired until August 2016. . .
 
 
This was such great fun. . .Our secret WISH is that one day a 30s-40s PERIOD MOVIE will be shot here. . .even if it's just a scene or two. . .Can you imagine?
Just DREAMING a little. . .
 
 
A busy time for us. . .but enjoyed it tremendously.
 
 
MANY, MANY THANKS, Kevin, for including us in your documentary. . .
We look forward to it's airing. . .Come back any time. . .
 
Now. . .For all our followers, hop on over to
 
 
for the outdoor segment of filming.
'SEE YOU THERE'
 
 
 

Monday, April 11, 2016

Ever Seen Such a Dust Storm?

 
Did you see photos of the Arkansas dust storms on Good Morning America today? . .Now, I realize that this post won't be of interest to many of you. . .but I couldn't be outdone by GMA !!!!
 
I've have never seen anything like it 'in all my years'. . .It went on for eight and a half hours. . .wind gusts to 50 mph. . .pounding and pounding. . .that fine, get-into-every-crack dust. . .seeping into the house. . .hour after hour. . .We couldn't see the sun. . .We couldn't breathe. . .the central heat and air fan going continuously. . .clogging the filters, which had to be cleaned about every hour. . .dumping more dust into the air. . .Eyes burning. . .coughing. . .and the never stopping wind. . .At one time it looked like a fog in our own living room. . .I grabbed sheets and blankets to cover the the windows and doors in an attempt to curb the dust. . .You have to remember. . .we live in an old farmhouse. . .We've sealed it as tight as we can. . .but this was an extraordinary event. . .
 
 
Here it comes. . .like a rain front. . .
 
A few minutes later. . .
 
 
Believe it or not, the sun was shining all day long. . .somewhere above the dust. . .
 
 
This wasn't the worst of it. . .
 
 
The photo on the left was early in the storm. . .We could still see the neighbor's trees. . .
but not their house. . .
The one on the right was typical of the entire day. . .Can't see the neighbors at all. . .Can't see the road.
The sun was shining up above but not down below.
Isn't it an awesome sight?
It reminds me of all the old videos of the 1930s Dust Bowl.
 
 
This is the breezeway today. . .even though windows were down--storm windows and storm doors closed--that dust found it's way in. . .About the same INSIDE the house. . .especially in the kitchen around the fireplace and windows. . .That rug to the left was once black and white. . .Everything. . .everywhere. . .covered. . .What a fine mess, huh?
 
The floor is suppose to be bright red. . .as is the log bin. . .
We vacuumed a small path to the outside door. 
 
We have been plagued by wind and rain these last few years. . .Last year we had a tornado that took us all year to repair the damage. . .It also damaged the big fireplace, which now leaks. . .This year straight line winds took the roof off one of our shotgun houses. . .We got 7" of rain in one week and lots of flooding. . .We had leaks in the house and buildings from those storms. . .Then the dust storm came along yesterday. . .and rain today. . .making mud of all the dust. . .Makes a person wonder, doesn't it?
 
It will take us a while to climb out of this one. . .Remember. . .we have twelve buildings to clean. . .We definitely have job security. . .
 
Enough of that. . .We'll get it done. . .I have two or three posts I've been working on and will get them online as soon as possible. . .One is about rural Southern quilts, which will be posted at the Duncan Farmstead, but I'll let you know when you can find it there. . .And since I'll have to take everything down in the house for cleaning, I'll be rearranging and changing the décor for you to see. . .Our living room is looking better and better. . .Coming this summer (only two months away!), I'll start a series of before and after photos of The Country Farm Home. . .You won't believe the change, from the way it was when we started, to now. . .I look back on them and marvel at the difference we have made. . .There's more coming your way. . .once we get rid of these dust bunnies. . .devils. . .
 
 
 

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