The working vocabulary of the average 14-year-old has declined in the last 50 years from 25,000 words to 10,000. Language reflects the depth of our human experience. Because we think in words, are we losing the capacity to say what we feel?
Like, whatever.
Have you heard of the term drip dry?
(No silly, not the Urban Dictionary definition …Â defined as a move that females have perfected as a result of no toilet paper/lack of sanitary conditions. Try again.)
I recently tackled the chore of ironing the mini-curtains we have for our new Glamper (debut very soon) with even tinier ruffles. Mothers are always good for aiding in the tackling of such quandaries and sure enough, she had the perfect solution (that for some reason has escaped me all these years).
Laurie Dimno says: Hi Meg!
Sometimes we think so hard that the simple basics escape us! LOL.
Here is yet another reason why we can never have enough of you and your mom!
Can’t wait to see the debut of your new glamper!
Hugs to both of you! XOXOXO
Deborah Granay says: Do you remember the laundry product that came out in the late l990’s that you sprayed on laundry and then “straightened” it out while lying the item out flat? I saw it demonstrated in a supermarket and thought it was great to keep t-shirts looking fresh and unwrinkled. After buying the product, it dawned on me that a spray bottle with water would do the same thing. It was only missing the “perfume”.
I do admit that I love to iron shirts, though. I love to smell the hot iron and spray starch. It reminds me of my Mom and how she was so proud to send her family off to school in freshly ironed clothing.
Wow, I don’t even own an iron and trust me, I have perfected all the ” drip-dry” methods! Hanging your tablecloths on the line makes them wrinkle free and so on for most other clothes and items. Natural fiber clothes and linens work best this way. And, as for clothing, if it must be ironed I wouldn’t think of buying it.
Sheets, needless to say, should ALWAYS be dried on the line outdoors. I recently inherited many hand woven all real linen sheets from the early to mid 1800’s. They are wonderful and oh so soft but are not sized for modern beds. They are square and too small, although they could work on a single or child’s bed. When I get some time I intend on sewing some together to fit my bed. But they already were hand sewn in the middle from the narrow looms they were originally woven on , so I guess I need to hand sew these antique sheets as well. The original makers/owners embroidered their initials in the corners in red. They are very special. Friends have suggested I could use these sheets for craft projects but that would be so wrong. I intend on keeping them as the hardworking women and men ( most weaving was by men in those days in this part of PA where they are from) intended.
Terry Steinmetz says: Simple, simple, simple.
Yup, an old and tried method. It also works to have the rain come and SATURATE your almost dry laundry so that it has to drip . . . .and I mean drip-dry all over again. Just like hanging it out before it goes through the spin cycle! 😀
Eileen says: Great ideas as usual!
Winnie Nielsen says: This is new to me but I am loving the tip!! And yes your Mom is a genius!!
Travelin' sister, Sandi says: Not that my life (time) allows me to iron sheets, but those that come off the clothes line sure have fewer wrinkles than out of a hot dryer! Not to mention they smell better too!
Winnie Nielsen says: I love the western flair of all things horses out here in the west. I grew up in Virginia riding hunter jumper and doing shows and rabbit or fox hunts. Lots of rules and specific attire back in the 1960s. Western looks way more fun!
Terry Steinmetz says: I love this lily. The color is so bright!
nan roberts says: What is that?
MaryJane says: It’s a bird, it’s a plane…
Nan Roberts says: Yes, I got that far. What kind of bird?
MaryJane says: I’ll have to get out my bird book. Good question:) I thought perhaps you had a muted computer screen and couldn’t see the bird …
Nan Roberts says: I figured it must be one that lives where you live. I live on the Central Oregon Coast. I’m not all that up on the birds here, but I don’t think I’ve seen that one before.
MaryJane says: It kinda looks like a baby flicker but …
nan roberts says: Ooh. We have flickeres, but I’ve never seen a baby one. The adults cruise through now and then, looking cool.
The only babies I’ve seen are baby sparrows after they’ve left the nest.
Winnie Nielsen says: What is this? What do all these vintage farm things do??
Cultivating your inner farmgirl?
Photo by Jacob Fowzer via Wikimedia Commons
Have a little fun with your friends and neighbors by throwing out a few old-fashioned farm phrases in casual—or, better yet, formal—conversation.
After all, if you’re going to walk the walk, you might as well talk the talk, right?
I guarantee that you’ll get a giggle from the puzzled expressions you receive in return.
Here are a few dandies to dabble with:
And, by all means, don’t skinny dip with snapping turtles!
While you’re on a roll, you can beef up your down-on-the-farm vocabulary with this glossary of farming terms.
Jennifer Memolo says: Too funny
Terry Steinmetz says: I loved reading these phrases. I remember my grandparents & my great grandparents using some of these phrases. Guess there’s more of a farmgirl in me than I thought!
Winnie Nielsen says: Most of these expressions are new to me. I guess I have been sheltered from the “true” insider wisdom of farm living! The funniest is the one about not skinny dipping with snapping turtles! In Florida that is very true as they are in abundance along with alligators! Yikes!
Hi MaryJane!
Having originally been raised in Texas, I’ve got a bunch of phrases like that. Even “city folk” use them in Texas! Two of my favorites: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”. Doing so can cause you to feel “more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs”.
Farmgirl hugs,
Nicole
Angela Cleveland says: I love these. Most of us “natural-raised” farm girls say things like these without thinking. Moved to the city 10 years ago and the last few years my teenage son has called me out on them. The most recently one used by my dad to him was “I cut my teeth on that” and my son freaked and had to ask what that meant. So, this year at my parents we have a pack to all speak in our farm idioms and see how my city son handles it 😉
Ace says: Ashley and I know all too well that “A watched pot never boils!” 🙂 -ace
Laura Strick says: My all time favorite farm girl saying was said by my husbands grandmother. I still chuckle when I think of it. When she would see someone doing something she thought was strange she would chuckle and say
” Each to her own! Said the old woman when she kissed the cow.”
“Does the hitch come with the truck?”
Glampin’Â Jane was fielding questions from a prospective buyer with a hankerin’ to haggle.
“Yes, ma’am. The whole shebang,” she assured.
“How about the seat covers?”
“You bet,” Jane agreed. “The full monty.”
“I’m gung-ho about going glamping in a pick-up truck,” the customer confessed.
“Will you throw in that little luggage rack for a couple hundred more?”
This gal drove a hard bargain, but Jane was set to sell,
lock, stock, and barrel.
Jane extended her hand.
“It’s a deal,” she said. “Take ’em both, neck and crop.”
Whoa …
Neck and crop?
That’s right:
the whole enchilada,
nine yards,
ball of wax ……….
The origin of this uncommonly uttered phrase is sketchy, but most say it had something to do with a horse (or maybe a rider) taking a spill.
I would have guessed it had something to do with a chicken.
Featherbrain!
In any case, “neck and crop” has come to mean completely, wholly, altogether, and at once.
Done!
Winnie Nielsen says: I have never heard this expression but I can imagine hearing it in the rural parts of America today. On a different note, I am in love with that vintage Chevy truck!!
Eileen Stone says: That is one beeUtiFULL truck!
Sarah says: What a fantastic photo! Love the truck, love the luggage, it is just perfect. I have never heard that expression either, but found it’s meaning and possible origin interesting. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Feeling quizzical today?
I am.
Here’s a trio of terms that tend to trick the tongue and perplex the pen …
If you can’t match the following definitions with the words above, I have a fun exercise for you that I came up with so I can remember the spelling of each.
Take a guess, and then scroll down to find out how I remember these rascally words.
Palate: the roof of your mouth or sense of taste
(spelled plate with an a added)
“My palate is best served when I use a plate.”
Pallet: a wooden bed or a flat platform onto which goods are loaded
(Ma Mallet and Pa Pallet are a team)
“Bring me that mallet so I can take apart this pallet.”
Palette: a flat board an artist mixes paint on or a range of colors
(pal-ette smacks of French, well, because it is)
“The French artist was mixing paints on a palette while wearing a French barette.”
Photo by Jennifer Rensel via Wikimedia Commons
Winnie Nielsen says: Genius way to remember the differences! This really helps because I always have to look groups of words like this up in the dictionary.
MaryJane says: Good morning Winnie! How are you?
Winnie Nielsen says: Good morning Mary Jane. I am doing great. Did you get the information I sent Brian last week in an email that I will be in Idaho near Couer d’Alene July 24 and 25? Yep, plane ticket, lodging, and rental car all reserved and paid for so I am officially Idaho bound!!! Whoop!! I am hoping you have some business need to be at your store one of those two days so I could meet you!! Is there any chance?? I am so excited to be coming your way and very much looking forward to seeing your store!!
MaryJane says: Let’s stay in touch and yes, I’ll be there one way or the other. Sooooooooo looking forward to meeting you in person.
Winnie Nielsen says: Whoop!!! Whoop!!! That is fabulous!!! I want to meet you in person so much too!! It will be great fun. Shall I contact you through Brian’s email as we get into July?? I can be flexible as to which day would be best for you. Yippeeee!!!!!!
MaryJane says: Yes, through Brian would be dandy.
Eileen V Widman says: I loved this exercise! Maybe now I will remember and spell check can take a hike! I think spell check has only one version.
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Anne Wampler says: This was lots of fun and yes it made me put on my thinking cap for sure!!! Thank you
Thanks, Darlin’. I do so appreciate your awareness and respect for words, punctuation and diction in general. As a former English teacher, I look for the ease of a well-composed sentence and rest nicely when I read one. You’re a leader in a hundred different areas. Keep going!
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
Maybe bees have the best life possible? Just flower hopping and gathering nectar looks pretty fun to me!
Beauty is all over, we just have to take the time to notice it and record when possible. Flowers bring so much joy to my life.
Please Google “Ten Petal Blazing Star” wild flower, I just met one last week and am in love. It is so lovely, trying to capture some of the seeds, it is a biannual and need to find out how to create the environment that will have it return to my life.
A dear lady was showing me around the country side out side of my new town, and low and behold there it was. Amazing that I got to see it, as not in over 8 years have I seen anything so wondrous and lovely.
Calle