In case you were wondering why a lot of old barns are red, here is this snippet I found in the Farmer's Almanac:
"Ever wonder why old barns are usually red in color? Red is (or, perhaps, was) a popular color for barns due not to its color shade but for its usefulness.
Many years ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. Farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making a paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Hundreds of years ago, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color, as well.
When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition."
I'll buy that.
And now for a painting joke that I hope I remember well enough:
A local church in a small town asked for bids to have their sanctuary and fellowship hall repainted. A young enterprising man was selected for his low bid as he was hungry for work.
And so he set about getting the paint and, to stretch his dollars, watered it down so he could cover more area with less paint, saving him some money. He was going along quite well and had just applied what he thought was the last coat when a big thunderstorm rumbled overhead and rained cats and dogs.
Not having time enough to dry, much of the paint was washed off by the rain, leaving the young painter distraught when he went back to the church to see the runny results for himself.
As he stood there sobbing, there was that unmistakable voice from above that in a deep and powerful voice told him....
"Re-paint and thin no more!"
Happy Veterans Day, y'all!
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