{"id":11238,"date":"2023-04-01T23:53:14","date_gmt":"2023-04-02T04:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/?p=11238"},"modified":"2023-07-01T21:42:52","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T02:42:52","slug":"barb-byers-the-owls-nest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/2023\/04\/01\/barb-byers-the-owls-nest\/","title":{"rendered":"Barb Byers \u2013  The Owl&#8217;s Nest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"g g-4\"><div class=\"g-single a-341\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MzQxLDQsMSwyMA==\" href=\"https:\/\/lakesidestcoffeehouse.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/banners\/curiss_lakecoffee_0425.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"440\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">So, what\u2019s your story?<\/span><br><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Born in 1956 to Greg &amp; Alma Uhlenhake in Ossian IA .. my nickname was Curly in the early years. I was the 6th of 8 kids Small town girl, living on the farm but on the edge of town. Delivered new papers when I was 10 years old, babysat, ran track and was a cheerleader&#8230; left to go to Iowa State and became a teacher for 6 yrs. Always enjoyed coming back home to visit the farm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Tell us about what you do for work or your business?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">My brother Joe Uhlenhake, deserves the credit for creating the Barn into a house.&nbsp; Joe is the one that had the vision turned&nbsp; the Barn into a house back in 2007.&nbsp; Taking the barn and creating it into the Barn House was no easy feat, but with the help of a talented carpenter Kenny Zajicek it became a reality.&nbsp; The Owls Nest is the name we gave the Air BnB since Uhlen-hake means Owl Farmer in German.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-11522 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-1-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-1-1-300x227.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>My husband &amp; I just bought the Barn House in February to keep it in the family and we are excited to get The Owl&#8217;s Nest up and running for people to come enjoy the barn for fun and relaxation in Ossian Iowa.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"font-size: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career with your business.<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I think the most significant accomplishment that I have done in my life is raise two beautiful independent daughters that have gotten their degrees and are contributing back to society. Grew up in the 60&#8217;s -70&#8217;s and that is when women thought they could have it all&#8230; so I worked the entire time and made a life in medical sales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Tell us about a recent project or problem that you made better, faster, smarter, more efficient, or less expensive.<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This will sound strange, but I am a recent breast cancer survivor and have taken up painting pallets with purpose. So every time I see pallets I am like, Mike can you go make a pallet run. One of my favorites is an Day of the Dead Breast Cancer pallet, along with many other pallet paintings&#8230; I love roosters and painted a wooden wall scene with sunflowers to honor Ukraine. Painting on pallets makes junky old pallets look great and brings a smile to people on the street. Cleaning up the junk yards one pallet at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"font-size: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Tell us about one person that you&#8217;ve met, that stands apart from the rest, or has influenced you while here in the Driftless.<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would have to say my mother, Alma whom I nicknamed Almo has influenced my the most&#8230;growing up on the farm she instilled hard work and humor. Looking back I am amazed she did it all. The joke to my friends was what is Almo going to be baking at 2 am in the morning when we would come home. My friends loved talking to my mom, because she was interested in what they had to say. My mom had been a teacher and then raised all 8 of us&#8230; she would make us do egg runs to Calmar to raise extra cash and do deliveries. I think my moms energy spirit was given to me. She also suffered from breast cancer so we have a connection, that luckily my other sisters didn&#8217;t have. She taught me to appreciate nature, to enjoy going on picnics, just sitting out in nature and soaking it all in NE Iowa<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11523 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"369\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-2-1.jpg 369w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-2-1-277x300.jpg 277w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 369px) 100vw, 369px\" \/>What do you wish other people knew about you or your business?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Well I hope that people will see my adds and story in the Driftless and come back and enjoy a slice of Heaven here in NE Iowa at The Owl&#8217;s Nest. Appreciate the beauty of the rolling hills of NE Iowa. Explore nature, appreciate the sunrise and sunsets. Glad that after having had time away, you can still come back and see the stars at night. I have always said you have to have a plan man you have to have a plan. And now my plan has come full circle, back to Ossian Iowa and the farm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>How would you describe yourself?<\/strong><\/span><br><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Energetic, positive Vision minded entrepreneurial spirited woman.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What is your biggest accomplishment?<\/span><br><\/strong>Biggest accomplishment:<\/span><br><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">1. Raising 2 beautiful independent daughters<\/span><br><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">2. Beating breast cancer in 2021<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Have you read any good books?<\/span><\/strong><br><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Yes, love the James Patterson Books and stories of women who are spies in World War II<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-11524 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-3-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-3-1-300x227.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>Who is your personal hero?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would have to say my mother, she raised 8 kids on a farm, she was smart &amp; energetic. She had breast cancer later and life, lost 2 children post polio and from epilepsy and still kept a positive energetic spirit. She taught me the meaning of empathy and humility. She always said you aren&#8217;t any better than anyone else, but you are just as good as anyone else. She also instilled getting an education&#8230;each one of the remaining six kids in our family had college education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Do you have a life philosophy that you live by?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Ah! That would be work smart and play hard. Enjoy life to the fullest and the glass is always half full.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What do you like most about yourself?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I like my positive creative spirit and the ability to laugh at myself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If you could change the world, what would you change?<\/span><\/strong><br><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would change the world so there would be no more hate and that everyone had empathy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11525 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-4-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"370\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-4-1.jpg 370w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-4-1-278x300.jpg 278w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px\" \/>What do you think is the meaning of life?<\/span><\/strong><br><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would say the meaning of life is that you are here on earth to make a difference and touch peoples lives each day&#8230; so why not make it a happy place and put a smile on your face and others<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Do you prefer working alone, or do you like working with others?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This will sound weird but I like to work with others, but independently.. I was a medical sales representative for 40 years and I love to drive and explore the countryside&#8230; I hate being in big buildings with no windows<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What\u2019s something that no one would guess about you?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">That I actually do like to be by myself at times.. I am gregarious, but also need to have alone time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What is your deepest belief about life?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">That you have to go for the gusto&#8230; you have to have goals and keep achieving them or you will get bored.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-11526 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-1-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would love to wake up in a villa in the south of France&#8230; exploring the vineyards and cooking in a beautiful kitchen<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If you could be doing anything, anywhere right now, what and where would it be?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">At this very moment, because it&#8217;s cold outside I would be on the beach, soaking up the rays reading a book and drinking a mojito listening to beach music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What\u2019s the one thing you wish you could have a do-over for?<\/span><\/strong><br><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would like to have a do over for some of my life in my 20&#8217;s&#8230; I started out in teaching, but I wish I would have traveled abroad right out of college and experienced life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">How do you work on yourself?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would try exercise more,.. fix my knees so I could play tennis again.<\/span><br><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Mentally and emotionally I have always made lists of things to accomplish and check them off and make new lists for the next day<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11532 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-2.jpg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-5-2-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>What\u2019s one thing you\u2019ve had to overcome in your life?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Breast Cancer just a year and half ago&#8230; it was a wake up call&#8230; I always thought I was invincible. Now I just live each day to the fullest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">How do you handle being in a bad mood?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Well .. I call my friends, talk to people, drive and listen to music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Who is the most important person in your life?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would have to say my children and my husband.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What did you learn about yourself from any of your previous relationships<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">That you have to depend on you and love yourself first. Not everyone has your best interest at heart&#8230; most people do, but there are people who will use you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-11533 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-6-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-6-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-6-3-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>What question do you always want people to ask you about yourself?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Where do you get your energy and how can you stay so positive?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What is your favorite music, or What \u2018one\u2019 song do you think a person should listen to at least once?&nbsp;<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I really like the new country rock music. One of my new favorite songs&#8230; Maren Morris&#8230; if the Bones are Good the Rest Don&#8217;t Matter&#8230;.<\/span><br><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Brown Eyed Girl by VanMorrison all time favorite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If you weren&#8217;t here running your business or doing the work you do, what would you be doing instead?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would love to be on HGTV flipping houses and being creative&#8230;having a sense of humor in front of the camera.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">How has this pandemic affected YOU or YOUR BUSINESS here in the Driftless?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I just started The Owl&#8217;s Nest Air B&amp;B&#8230; I think Covid made me more aware that you can do other things in life&#8230; you have to follow your passion. I have always been good at sales and promoting and marketing&#8230; thinking outside the box and not taking no for an answer.<\/span><br><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Having had Covid and breast cancer within the same year, made me aware of how hard it hit the medical community and especially small businesses that rely on tourism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11534 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-7-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-7-2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-7-2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>What is another name you would give the Driftless?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Golden Nugget&#8211; because the magazine finds all sorts of Golden Nuggets out there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What is your favorite season in the Driftless &amp; why?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Fall, I have always liked that period between summer &#8211; September, October . The rich vivid colors of the leaves, the patchwork colors of the trees. The wonderful smell, the sunflowers &#8230;Indian Summer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Tell us of an experience \/memory you had with Driftless lakes, rivers or waterways?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In my previous job I traveled a lot between Wisconsin and Minnesota and there are so many beautiful places, the scenery along the Mississippi is enchanting. Going thru the winding roads in the fall is breathtaking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Is there any place in the world you have been that reminds you of, or is similar to the Driftless?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Actually parts of France remind me of areas of Driftless.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-11535 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-8-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-8-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-8-1-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>What is your best childhood memory? <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">(Preferably here in the Driftless)<br><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">One of my favorite childhood memories is traveling with my family to parks for picnics in NE Iowa.. my mom loved nature and wanted us to enjoy the family at picnics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What are some of your favorite places to go for fun here in the Driftless?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Upper Iowa River for canoeing or kayaking, the parks and nature trails, the caves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What are some of your favorite places to eat here in the Driftless?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Depending what you are in the mood for..Mabes Pizza in Decorah, hole in the wall food places in small towns, each town has something to offer. you just have to ask or read about it. I always ask when I am in a town where are the good places to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If you were to tell a friend to come and visit the Driftless Area, and they ask &#8220;Why&#8221; &#8230; What would you tell them?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I would tell that North East Iowa, South East MN and S.West Wisc is Gods Country&#8230;The country side, rolling hills, rivers are beautiful and majestic. All of Wisc. is beautiful and there are many surprises depending where you go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11536 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-9.jpg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-9-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Are you a Cat or Dog person?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Dog<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Are you an Early Bird or Late Owl?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Late Owl<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If given the opportunity, would you go to outerspace?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Yes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What color socks are you currently wearing?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Black with grey flowers<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-11537 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"328\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-10.jpg 328w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Business-Interview-Barb-Byers-The-Owls-Nest-Pic-10-246x300.jpg 246w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 328px) 100vw, 328px\" \/>What skill or instrument would you like to learn or play?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The guitar<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What 1 message would you put in a bottle?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Be happy with you!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What was your very first job?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Newspaper route<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If any, what would be your dream job?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Travel and be on HGTV<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">How \/ where did you meet your best friend?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I met my first best friend in Kindergarten&#8230;we use to call each other up and sing nursey rhymes on the rotary phone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">What does your dream vacation look like?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Now my dream vacation would be to travel the United States in an RV seeing all the sights and finding out interesting stories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Tell us a short joke or punchline.<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I use to always sing&#8230; You have to have a plan man you have to have a plan&#8230;..<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">If you could learn another language, what would that be?<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">French<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">I Would Rather &#8230;<br><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Live in a tree house<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/rooms\/623239129011847053?source_impression_id=p3_1680411100_xfRPgnF1U%2BCql8FQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11539 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Driftless-Area-Mag-VISIT-WEBSITE.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"54\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>By &#8211; Barb Byers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; My husband &amp; I just bought the Barn House in February to keep it in the family and we are excited to get The Owl&#8217;s Nest up and running for people to come enjoy the barn for fun and relaxation in Ossian Iowa. Tell us about a project or<span class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/2023\/04\/01\/barb-byers-the-owls-nest\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11239,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":1688265647,"_expiration-date-type":"draft","_expiration-date-categories":[131],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[29,80,33,41,109],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v18.4.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Barb Byers \u2013 The Owl&#039;s Nest Driftless Area Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Barb Byers \u2013 The Owl&#039;s Nest Driftless Area Magazine\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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