Crazy Aunties needed to eat, too, LOL!
The house foundation is solid...but we’ve been re-pouring foundation walls in the barn that have crumbled/shifted. One more section to go, but that entails digging out a bunch of dirt and Beau hasn’t gotten to that yet.
The original barn - built before the house - German priorities - burned to the ground in the 50’s, which weakened the foundation. It’s amazing that it’s lasted this long...it’s 123 years old. Cannot WAIT to get her ship-shape again. :)
1980-1990s There was a made for TV movie about a Farmer who had promised his wife a new house, but built a new barn instead. She was deeply hurt and with the children moved the household into the barn one day when he went into town.
In any case, in the old days (Middle Ages) The cattle and animals lived on the first floor and you lived on the 2nd! They produced some heat that helped warm your house and it was easier to go down to check on them, milk them etc.