Did you know that December 5 is National Bathtub Party Day? This sounds like a farmgirl holiday thru and thru … why, of course, I’ll proudly celebrate this one! Just FYI, I should clarify, my party will not include any guests. A nice cold beverage, a good book, and I’m set to celebrate. Happy soaking!!
Mary Ann Newcomer, Sister #246 and GirlGab.com blogger at Gardens of the Wild Wild West, has a new book! Even though I don’t live in the Rockies, I was first in line to get one for my library. And because a farmgirl sister is a sister who’s a sister, I have a copy for you, too. So, calling all you ladies who live near the Rockies … this is your chance to win a copy. All you have to do is tell me what part of the Rockies you live in—we’ll put your name into a hat and pull out a winner for an early Christmas gift this year.
I shall wear diamonds
And a wide-brimmed straw hat
With silver and leather on it …
and I shall spend my social security
On white wine and carrots
And sit in the alley of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out in the middle of a summers’ night
And ride the chestnut mare
Across the moonstruck meadow.
If my old bones will allow.
When people come to call I will smile and nod
As I walk them past the gardens to the barn
And show, instead, the beauty growing there
In stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and
Wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment to all
Who look down on me.
They’ve not yet found the peace in being free
To love a horse as a friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With nuzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be,
When I am old.
Old Cowgirl by Patty Barnhart
Originally published in The Arabian Horse World magazine in 1992.
Winter checks at Lazy H Ranch, in Cheney, Washington, were in full swing last week. Our ace photographer, Alicia Carlson (“Ace”), paid them a visit in addition to offering them a helping hand. Here are some images from the round-up. Thanks to Dave Harris and crew for letting her snap some photos!
Did you catch the CNN Heroes awards ceremony last night? If not, get out your TV program and find out when it’s airing again. It’s not something you’ll want to miss. Who doesn’t want to be inspired off-the-charts? Have a good cry? Go to bed dreaming of a better world? In between adult heroism, they featured the work of children. Within 10 minutes of air time, I was crying. By the time it was over, I was sobbing. The work of being human—belonging, participating IN humanity is why we’re here. Go there. Be there. Here’s a hug. You’ll need one.
The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 4,649 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—6,500 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! MJ
Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …
A much-anticipated opportunity came this week. I was so excited. A girlfriend of mine, a real farm chick, a bosom buddy, one of my besties, had a baby! I could finally earn my Lend a Hand to Families badge! I’d been waiting for pestilence and plague, someone to fall sick or have a tragic injury, anything to give me the chance to help someone out.
I know. Even as a joke, it falls flat. My sacrificial nature and priorities are one of the best things about Yours Truly. Along with my humility, of course.
So, I waited by the phone with bated breath, anticipating the …
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.
