When traveling in rural Canada recently, I learned of a new social phenomenon. Call it “barn parties”.

Imagine the plight of dedicated farmers, some responsible to feed and care for hundreds of animals. Yes, the animals ultimately feed the farmers and other humans in return. But the point is that livestock-rearers often can’t leave their barns for more than a few hours at a time.

Such a dilemma could lead to tedious, even lonely, lifestyles. But the same kind of agricultural ingenuity that led to milking machines and stable-cleaners has struck again.

The solution’s simple. A farmer stocks up on good eats, calls some friends and lays out a near-buffet on bales of straw. Before he knows it, the yard’s packed with cars and a party’s in swing among the rows of dairy cows.

Imagine the party talk:

“Mooove over! That’s my seat.”

“Pass the milk, please.”

“Sorry, the jug’s empty.”

“Oh, I’ll ask Bessie for a refill.”

Hardworking farm-folks deserve more fun, even between chores in the workplace. Anyone witnessing such a barn party should pull up a bale and take a seat.

But use discretion. If the party food happens to include beef, don’t mention it loudly enough for the cows to hear.

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