TWO GUYS, TWO FENCE POSTS--
and a church being built in a flood plain



On yet another recent visit to southeast Ohio, we drove along the crumbling asphalt of a nearly vacant, weedy area of flood plain on the west side of Junction City, OH.

Nearby, two guys were perched mostly silently, in standing position on a pair of three foot tall posts.

We passed the pair slowly, sharing friendly nods, and headed toward a church we knew about (behind young man on the left) that was under construction in the flood plain in defiance of local building authorities.

The church's powers-that-be, we had been told, were accustomed to getting their own way in that small town and not much bothered by regulations.

Inside the metal building I could see wooden, wall studs with lots of construction-like stuff here and there; visible through a dusty window but little evidence of recent activity around the gravelly site, noticeably eroded by heavy rains.

Just like Sue's sister Patsy had told us, the main doorway wasn't even centrally aligned with the middle of the building.  And, the doors already were showing rust.

We wondered who would win this tug of war between the local bureaucracy and some strong-willed deacons--or whatever.

Headed back toward the road we noticed the same two fellows still perched on their posts.  I waved as we approached and got a wee bit acquainted with the pair, a father and a son actually.

'What are you doing up there," I inquired.  "We're just standing here--having fun," they told me, then launched into a series of interesting geometric poses; only slightly struggling to maintain their balances.

I enjoyed the show and told them so.  They smiled.

When I asked about the church construction the father said, "Yup, that building sure could get wet.  This whole area floods often," he explained as he circled his arm overhead, "...clear up to Bremen" a town about 6 miles up the valley to the west.

I complimented their creativity as we concluded our conversation.

Patsy chuckled later as we shared our experience.

"They do things like that in Perry County," she smiled knowingly.

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Editor's Note:  Sue is my lady Sue Brooks who was born and grew up in Junction City.  Patsy is her sister who also was born there and still lives on the family's rural homestead.  I did take several pictures of the event described above but failed to note the camera still was adjusted for a then, recent night photo event.  Adopted grand daughter Mackenna Curtis-Collins, learning of my failure. said "You can use my picture Grandpa."  That's it above--with my humble gratitude.