We’ve been very fortunate to do quite a bit of traveling these past few months and one of those trips included heading to Upstate New York to attend a Longhouse Food Revival. The Professor and I weren’t quite sure what to expect . . . creator and visionary, Molly O’Neill made reference to ‘Burning Man’ – of which I know nothing.
Once we arrived and the day began to unfold, I likened it more to a ‘Woodstock for writers – without the mud, drugs and free-love’. And no, I didn’t attend the original Woodstock but have read accounts of what transpired. Longhouse was much more docile – we came, we hugged, we laughed, we shared, we learned, we ate and we headed home – bellies full, new friendships forged and a determination to make this thing we all do called ‘food writing’, even better.
As I reviewed the footage we shot and the moments we captured in our photographs, words began for form and they tumbled from my fingers as I sat with my laptop.
We wanted to create a piece that encompassed what this group discussed: writing, sound, photography and videography – ‘Barn’ is our attempt to do just that.
BARN
Debra Smith
Trees turning
Sun shining
Brisk Fall air
Rag-tag red barn
Wooden benches
Barn door heavy
Cracked and bumpy concrete floors
Dogs running
Dogs barking
Silo skeleton transformed
Open fire pitHomemade tables
Outdoor kitchen
Artist paintings
Strings of lighting
Plates, napkins, bowls
Candle-lit chandelierWindmill turning
Pit-Chef cooking
Spit turning
Metal signs blocking, pig protecting
SmokeInterns running
Hurry, hurry, hurry
Faster, faster, faster
Hair whipping
Boots and scarves wearing
Friends gathering
Cars parking
‘So good to see you’
Sweater sharing
Sunglasses wearing
Lots of hugging
Smiles and laughing
Swag bagsCoffee barista working
Milk steaming
Cups filling
Sticky flavored syrups pouring
Designs in milk frothingHayloft working
Extension cords snaking
Power-pointing
Microphones projecting
Canvas cloths hanging
Images displaying
Wooden chairs folding
Thoughts gathering
Holding my breath that all goes wellSpeakers ready
Poetry reading
Daylight streaming
Gaps in the rag-tag red barn
Cameras clicking
Picture making
Instagram posting
Lessons ‘popping’
Story telling
CollaboratingCopper oven
Pizza making
Wildflowers tucked in jars
Charcuterie board
Pickled garden bounty
Tortilla making, cricket fillingChauffeur driving
Journal writing
Opening ceremonies
Closing ceremonies
What did we learn?
Where are we going?
How do we share?
Newspaper passingWine sipping
Droplets falling from wet blue bottles
Plates heaping
Warm beans, fresh-made tortillas, spicy Oaxacan Pig
Sun is setting
Temperatures dropping
Long tables, end-to-end
Elbows bumping
Sharing life above the chatterFood
Revival
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It was so great seeing you there, despite the brevity of the visit. Loved seeing the video and your interpretation of the weekend.
Another case of inspiration by barn. You love ’em! GREG
The video is beautiful! What a wonderful event and what a group of exciting, inspiring people! Lucky you to attend. Fabulous! And your video captured that!
Absolutely beautiful, Debra. You and the Professor make beautiful… everything. Love you two!
Barn. Brilliant. Poetically moving. Moved me. Wish I was there.
Oh you two. You two, you two. You made magic. As always. Whenever I think of that day, I’ll have this video playing in my head, along with the one I made with my memories.
Adore you.
Loved the Barn! I thought I saw your fiery hair in one shot:) It looks like a great writing event! Hugs!
I enjoyed every moment of you “Barn”. Thank you!
Love it!! Your video and poetry are a perfect match. I’ve never heard of this event. Off to check it out.