Post and beam construction

Photo by Barry Wallace

Gambrel roof barn rises up

After waxing elegantly a week or so ago about the 'old-new-old' wood barn on Keele Street, at the north end of Kettleby, I was excited to discover on the same day another barn with a similar, classic look.   This one is located on Dufferin Street, east of Kettleby. I had been watching the construction of the new foundation for this barn for several weeks wondering what the upper structure would look like.   Now I know....and tradition prevails.   It matters not to me with what it will be clad: wood or metal or whatever.   It's the overall shape and design that I care about and I do like traditional designs in barns.   But what can I say?   I'm a 75-year-old fart who had a grandfather with a gambrel roof barn.   When I was a kid. I lived on his farm for a year and I loved his barn....and him.

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Barry Wallace

19th Sideroad - between Dufferin and Bathurst

The gardens at Dog Tales Sanctuary

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Barry
Wallace

Everything old is new again...then old again

 Photos by Barry Wallace

This King barn at Kettleby was diligently restored five years ago and new wood board cladding was applied to imbue it with renewed life.   Very quickly however, the barn has re-written local history by quickly weathering and turning grey, making it appear to be at least another 50 years old. The new dark, glass and wood, front door (see below) is not entirely in keeping with the heritage aspects of the barn, but it is sort of whimsical.   This transformation is so refreshing when one sees other old township barns that will soon lose their historical appearances and cease to exist. 

Keele Street and the 19th Sideroad

Below are photos of the barn shortly after the it was renovated with new roof-covering, barn-board cladding and new doors and windows.

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Barry Wallace

Backyard butterfly feeds on Ligularia nectar

Photos by Barry Wallace

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus glaucus

The Ligularia flower I mentioned two days ago, played host to a nectar-hungry male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on Saturday.   It is the second largest butterfly in Canada but only appears in southern Ontario - lucky us.   This one spent over an hour at the same plant despite chunks missing from the bottom of its left wing.
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Barry Wallace

Sign on Warren Road in King City

Photo by Barry Wallace

Popcorn ceilings a thing of the past

Here's a sign (photo above) that I'd never seen before, in King City or anywhere else.   It seems popcorn ceilings in houses are a thing of the past.   Who knew?   My wife says everyone is getting rid of them.   She also told me that some buyers looking for older homes won't even look at a house with popcorn ceilings!     It seems to be a frenzy and now contractors are providing a specialty service to remove such ceilings.   I don't understand the fuss, but now I'm wondering if Linda is thinking maybe our popcorn ceilings need to go.   Already, I'm wishing I had not said a word about them.

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Barry Wallace     

Paintings by Sunni Ball at the Roost Cafe

                                                                                                                   Photos by Barry Wallace
Robin Ringlets
Acrylic on Canvas

Petal Tutu
Acrylic on Birch

Seed Drop Split
Acrylic on Canvas

The Roost Cafe on Keele Street South in King City (opposite the Anglican Church) is currently featuring several works of art by painter Sunni Anne Ball.

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Barry Wallace

Summer's exclamation mark...

Photos by Barry Wallace

LIGULARIA ~ 'The Rocket'

It's almost the middle of summer and one of our favourite perrenials has bloomed to become exclamation marks in the very green garden.   They are almost 6' tall with grand yellow flower spikes, in complete contrast to the dark purplish-black stems and large, broad, jagged edged, green leaves; quite unlike anything else in the garden.   Ahhhh, summer!

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Barry Wallace