We’ve all heard how important it is to eat a diet high in roughage. Likewise, “roughaging” (spending time outdoors) is essential to our mental health. Even if it’s a settee on the porch, we need it, gotta have it. I aim to be the reason you pulled your bedding out the back door last night.
With a wink and a grin, old timers love telling kids about the long, arduous paths they walked to school waaay back when. You know the stories. They often involve deep snow, threadbare shoes, and steep hills (both to and from the schoolhouse).
But I bet you haven’t heard one that boasts a hurricane.
A recent study backs up my belief in the value of good neighbors. It turns out, talking “over the fence” benefits the environment, too.
In southwestern China, the Grain-to-Green Program (GTGP) helps farmers in the Wolong Nature Reserve reduce soil erosion by paying them to convert sloping cropland to forest or grassland. Scientists from Michigan State University found that the farmers most likely to re-enroll their land in the conservation program after their initial sign-up, were those who got out and hashed it over with their neighbors. In fact, the more times they interacted, the more land was enrolled.
Farmer of the Hani minority near his village of Puduo, Yunnan, China. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Takeaway
After doting on my big, sweet, injured Great Pyrenees dog for several months, I’m swiftly gaining a whoooole new perspective on pet ownership. Thank heavens, Periwinkle’s broken leg has healed nicely (it took forever because she’s old), and I do adore pampering her … but did I mention how BIG she is??
Riley Tucker says: My Golden, Maggie, is mostly inside, but goes out for her business and to help me with the barn, horse and yard chores. She rarely goes out of site.
Janet Roberts says: I enjoy the thought of pet freedom. My toy poodle, Nigel, loves the outdoors. On our screened in porch he has a nice fat pillow to enjoy the sun and the many wildlife that pass him by. Most of all he loves the chicken, he thinks he is a herd Poodle.
Together Nigel and I love our outdoor freedom.
Here are a few pics to bring you here for a visit. Saddle up!
8 o’clock sharp last Sunday, Kim and I saddled up, leaving the farm compound behind. (Shiny rooftops in the background.)
Time is ticking slo-o-o-o-wly. Stomach grumbling. Meow.
Our little furry friend Rascal was getting a bit anxious Saturday night in Ace’s apartment. Rolling around, playing with her blue, furry mouse, scratching her post. It just wasn’t as fun as her work week here at the farm as the design studio mascot.
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Judy Jones-McCown says: ~~whew~~ Rascal was a very lucky kitty….could have been squashed kitty. We have a “Rascal” too. A (he)kitty,very orange and stripy. He gets to go out on the back patio on his leash with “mom&Dad”, when they go out to read the paper or enjoy a cool glass of tea or lemonade. Sometimes they even walk him thru the grass to see what (cool) bugs lurk there, for chasing…don’t ya know! He’s quite a spoiled boy…and knows it too. After all, that’s what kitty cats are for! *meow*
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.
This is America at it’s best in the face of adversity!! Even kindergarteners know to “walk straight ahead”. Terrific article!!