ABANDONED. Memoir about a couple who converted a barn into a home

[Char]

I read this book circa 1990-2000 and I believe the woman was the author. It was about country life while renovating a barn into a home, and it was in large part about connection to nature, I remember anecdotes about bats sharing their space and a family of skunks who had moved in under the porch (or maybe the barn floor) and how she didn't mind the smell. She talked about sleeping outside on the porch during the warm months. Not much to go on, sorry, but it has lodged in my memory and now is relevant to a friend - IF I can identify it. Thank you in advance for any help!

[Kym]

A guess A Barn in New England: Making a Home on Three Acres by Joseph Monninger

[Char]

Thank you! I took a look and read as much of it as I could on amazon, but I am pretty sure this isn't the one. Also pretty sure that the wife wrote the one I'm looking for, and that the word "barn" wasn't in the title. But thank you!!!!

[Kris]

Fifty Acres and a Poodle: A Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm (2000) by Jeanne Marie Laskas?

Anything on this list - www.goodreads.com/list/show/896.Down_...


Char, what's the location - U.S./country, region/state, etc.? Where did they move from and why?

What kind of writing does she do?

How old is the author? Does she have children (how old)? What does her partner do for a living?

[Char]

Hi Kris, thanks so much for forging onward! I am not certain of the locale, but for some reason I think it was New England but not sure what state. No kids. Just her and her husband - and I'm not entirely sure about the husband. I vaguely remember something about tension in her relationship but no detail. I think she/they were 35-45 approximately, not under 30 certainly and not over 50. And I believe she talked about transitioning from city to country life. I distinctly remember an anecdote about her not noticing the skunk smell, but when she went into town people were repelled. :) I'm not aware of any other books she may have written. Sure wish I could remember more, but thanks so much for your efforts.

[Char]

Kris, I see the Sue Hubbell "Country Year" is on that list - another one of my all-time favorites but not the one I'm seeking. I do highly recommend that book, though.

[Kym]

Another guess - Barefoot-Hearted: A Wild Life Among Wildlife by Kathleen Meyer

In this primitive structure, the author rapidly discovers she's living with troops of mice, a nursery colony of seventy-five bats, sexually fired-up skunks, and more flies than in a pig shed.

[Char]

Kym wrote: "Another guess - Barefoot-Hearted: A Wild Life Among Wildlife by Kathleen Meyer

In this primitive structure, the author rapidly discovers she's living with troops of m..."

Thanks, Kym! I don't think this is the one I had in mind but now I definitely want to read this one.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Char, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

No response, moving to Abandoned.