You know that pondering tilt of the head a person gives a work of art they’ve just completed? Writing about your life is that exactly. You step back, pick up your paint brush, apply a dab of compassion here, a brush stroke of flair over there. Putting your life on canvas allows you to see what your life looks like through the eyes of others.
Going Granny (actually my grandkids call me Nanny) is my best achievement yet! Here’s a phone message my barely two-year grandgirl left for me on my 58th b-day. I guarantee it; this will make your day.
Did any of you get the chance to watch Puppy Bowl last Sunday, on Animal Planet? In case you missed it, check out the behind-the-scenes video below. All of the puppies playing are looking for good homes through PetFinder. Check ’em out if you’re in the market for a pet.
First, before you click on “continue reading,” you must need prepare yourself for cuteness overload. That’s right, I said “must need” because the situation is more than just a must, or a need, it’s … a must need.
How this phrase made its way into the authorized language of the academic world has always perplexed me. But I digress …
I know Super Bowl ads have been making the rounds, but these two are a farmgirl must see. Let me preface this first one by sharing a a portion of an e-mail I received yesterday from Shery, our Ranch Farmgirl blogger.
“Six farmgirls and I planned to go on an antique hunting trip last weekend … an overnighter … 2 antique malls, 3 shops, and a BARN full of antiques that opens by appointment in the winter. Icy, snow-packed roads nixxed the plan. Arrrrgh. Coverage of our fab outing was to be my blog THIS week. Drat. Soooo, instead I’m making a recycle type of bird-feeder from an old blue-swirl enamelware pan and matching lid … and offering up instructions.”
Shery continued: “Also, I said goodbye to a dear friend in my horse-life. 24-year-old Bluebelle laid down and left this life last week. She & Dolly & I became ranchers together. We grew gray hair together. She was ‘the easiest horse on earth’ … and when it was her time to depart, she laid down and quietly left. She was never sick a day in her life and if she had anything to say about it, she would have spared us the anguish of putting her down when the time came. It appears that is exactly what happened. She always made the ride easier. She lifted each hoof on cue for the farrier before he asked for it. She dipped her head in her halter and bridle. When we moved bulls, she made certain that I never had to get off. She would reach deeply into a thicket of trees and like a land shark, she’d peel the hair of a bull’s rump until he bellered and fled. She *always”* made things easier for me. She took great care in being the ‘dude’ horse and read each rider according to their ability … or lack thereof. She even died by the gate so that it would be easy to move her for burial. How I loved her and her easy peaceful nature. I will miss Bluebelle wrapping her neck and head around me in a ‘horse hug’. She was buried in the manner in which all great horses are laid to rest: standing, facing the rising sun.”
As evidenced in the following ad, the way we feed our country is on the cusp of change. As we start to see that healthier harvests are born of nurtured land, we are seeing a new breed of farmer step up to the plow, and SHE is breathing new life into agriculture. Tip your hats to Dodge for recognizing that women are farmers too, especially since a woman now manages 1 out of every 7 farms in the U.S.
Love them both! I will always LOVE the “Clydes”!
But my heart literally sang with the “God Made a Farmer”! I’d heard Paul Harvey’s tribute to a farmer some time ago before it was made into this commercial. But it IS my dad! It is the life we lived! What a proud heritage and it brought tears to my eyes!
AND, listening to the Sandy Hook students singing made me cry too! WOW!!
CJ
Winnie Nielsen says: Both of these ads were the on,y ones that I liked!! Especially the Clydesdale ad. It made me cry!!
Oh, how I related to the Clyde ad. I know exactly how that young man felt. Farmers and ranchers are like the soil they live so close to. They nurture. We do become like the company we keep :o)
We raised a colt years ago. I imprinted him at birth. My face and voice greeted him before his own momma. I imprinted him for an hour (as taught by Dr. Bob Miller). We sold the colt as a yearling. Long story short: When he was 7, his owner could no longer keep him and called to see if we would buy him back. My husband thought he would make a good ranch horse and rope horse for recreational ropers. The plan was to tune him up and work on his arena skills – then sell him. Our friend dropped him off one day. The horse had been here for about half an hour and my husband turned him out. In the meantime, I was in the pasture down by the creek, sitting on my “thinking stump” – it was evening. I never heard a thing, so I about jumped out of my skin when I felt pressure on the back of shoulder. I jerked to one side and when I turned around, there he was. He came even closer and hung his head over my shoulder heavily. Horses are second only to elephants in the memory department. The horse remembered me, no question … and I was deeply touched that he was *happy* to see me. It was one of many special moments in my life with horses.
Terry Steinmetz says: I loved the Ram truck commercial. I cried just thinking about it! The people at the SB Party we were at couldn’t understand, but I felt so much pride in that one small thing. My family were farmers & now they are all gone. This farmgirl still feels the pride of what they did & what they showed me. Thank you Dodge for reminding me & others.
Chrissy says: Thank you Mary Jane for this post. Thank you Shery for your addition. I’m so glad Dodge spent the millions recognizing the backbone of America AND her Author. Not “politically” correct in this day and age.
Elizabeth says: I am sorry to hear about Bluebelle, Shery. You must have been a wonderful trainer & caregiver to Bluebelle. Not long ago, I remember reading (perhaps in one of your recent blogs?) that you have a horse over 20 years old. Not knowing much about horses myself, it came as a surprise that you raised such beautiful, healthy looking horses that lived so long.
I also liked the commercials but admit that this is the first time watching them. Coincidentally, we recently watched a movie (version with Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black) called, Flicka & really enjoyed the story. I appreciate that some are still making movies; writing books & airing commercials that we actually enjoy.
Every year about this time (mid-January’ish), I receive a newsy update from my first business bookkeeper, who lives in Australia now.
This is gonna date me. Am I ready for this kind of full disclosure?
Okay, it’s 1993, and I’ve just printed one of my first catalogs (really more of a magalog, printed at my local newspaper, Moscow’s Daily News). My bookkeeper, Mare Rosenthal, was also a neighbor. She and husband, Greg Brown, had moved here from Iowa, purchased an 80-acre farm, and then proceeded to plant hundreds and hundreds of pine trees in order to restore their farm land back to its native state and turn it into a wildlife preserve.
Now, this is really gonna date me.
Bookkeeping back then involved ledger paper (kept in a cloth-covered binder), and a pencil that sharpened.
In this grainy “vintage” photo (before digital cameras), hubby and I
Winnie Nielsen says: This was a wonderful show and tell from the past! I love the graphics of your older publications as well. Mare sounds like a wonderful person to work with and it is good to know that both she and you have had so many dreams come true.
I had the pleasure of meeting and attending a weekend with Jane Goodall when she came to my daughter’s campus one spring at Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC. She is a tiny short person full of wisdom and amazing stories from her studies with primates.
Thanks for sharing so many great photos!
Terry Steinmetz says: I walk down memory lane every now & then, too. Actually I look in my scrapbooks to see all that my life has taken it’s course. You are blessed to have a friend like Mare. My friend, Jan, and I did the same things together as we’ve grown. Her life & mine has taken some unexpected turns, but we are still friends and cherish the memories from the past & from now! Dreams are what make life worth the journey. We make some of them come true. Others we’ve learned aren’t worth doing or we can’t do any more.
Thanks for sharing your life with me (us).
Elizabeth says: It did my heart good to see these pictures. Such a beautiful idea your friend, Mare & her husband shared. Now, those 80 acres look so lush & green:-) I love it! And it looks like they have a lovely family & so happy too! Thank you Mare, for beautifying/restoring a little part of the USA.
What amazes me about these pictures/stories is how clearly some people see their future…and usually from a very early age? I’ve read & seen it in all the stories, books, pictures, magazines & experiences you’ve shared with us MaryJane. It’s quite remarkable really…and I suspect rather rare?
I’ve only witnessed this up close & personally one time & that was with one of my cousins (we have a large family tree & get togethers were often). My cousin was 9 & I was 7 and she & I were having what I would call a very adult like conversation about the future. Even back then my cousin laid out this distinct plan for her future & I remember being in awe of how succinctly she spoke & how absolute she expressed her future. Most of the things my cousin told me that day came true for her & by most accounts have lovingly & graciously exceeded even her vision of her life. Not everything is roses & sunshine for my cousin & she has made adjustments as needed but the basic plan & values stand strong & yielded great gifts for all her labors & care.
I believe when good people do good things they are greatly rewarded & by extension so are all those people who even lightly brush up against them or gently pass through their orbit:-) Could be a strong gravitational pull or just plain luck when we happen upon such a person. Pretty sure you are one of the graced MaryJane. Thanks for always sharing.
Sonya says: I remember 1993, Moscow, the Co-Op and your company so fondly! You continued my education of heathly food and life that my Mom instilled in me. I just “rediscovered” your magazine a year ago. This specific blog hit home to me and I wanted to reach out and say thank you!
What a joy it is to receive your magazine and email! Although I do miss the little meetings at the top of the old co-op!
Cheers,
Sonya
MaryJane says: Thanks for bringing back good memories. Nice to hear from you again!
Jac Brewer says: Always inspired by MaryJane Farms!!
Loved this post . . . I have never commented; have been enjoying all of “you” for a couple of years now and this compelled me to say “thank you”. . . I love your history, your philosophy and all your endeavors. Am a Minnesota farmgirl at heart, a 30-year California girl, but yearning to spend the “golden years” of my life (I’m 69) in more rural Oregon, God willing. Thank you!
Yesterday, while I was sorting through a mountain of paperwork, Kim’s car pulled up unexpectedly. Out she hopped with two baby lambs, only two days old!
Outfitted in their “house wear” uniforms, they showed up for their Sunday visit in diapers and onesies that Kim had picked up at the Goodwill for 25 cents.
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh my, they are so adorable in their new spotted coats and onesies!! What a wonderful new addition to the staff, albeit, a total distraction of cuteness!!
Oh, I’m slain! <3 What breed are they? Such darlings. I ended up as Chief in a March mission of saving lambs that were born WAY too early in this part of the world. Bucks got out, elderly owners were unable to do anything about it until the damage had been done. Many were lost, but I saved about 50. Fifteen remained *mine*. I gave the rest to a girlfriend to raise. I had more fun with my lambies. A lot of work too since it was still winter here. I had a rubbermaid nursery in our house for a week, by then we had converted one end of the chicken house for them and put up heat lamps. One thing to look for is bloat — bums are prone to it. Maybe they won't have a problem with it since they're getting real milk. I had only milk replacer. Won't this week be fun with your wee lassies in the office 🙂
Names?? Are they both ewes or bucks or one of each? Margaret & Minerva. Hopalong & Cassidy (I love they way lambs play… run and hop sideways!). George & Gracie. Dolly & Loretta (country songbirds). Dotty & Notty – one has dots, they other not 🙂
What a fun distraction in the middle of winter! Shery ~ the MJF ranch farmgirl
Terry Steinmetz says: Names? How about Cuddles & Nosey? I think you’ll know which name to give to which kid.
Eileen V Widman says: How about Sweety and Honey for these two adorable little lambie pies! Just want to cuddle with them!
shirley k heglin says: How about naming them after a very good word I have noticed more than once to describe them here….
Ador and Able !!
Suzy says: hugs and kisses
sweetness and light
When I was a little kid, my gramma had a bum lamb in the house. She called him Bucky and bottle fed him. I will never forget the sound of his little hooves racing up and down the hallway. He was quite the character.
Names? Ewe-nice and B-ewe-lah. (Eunice, Beulah)
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Tis the season for bottle lambs! How about Teeny and Tiny. That works for rams or ewes.
Dixie says: How about Chase and Dash!
With flu season in full swing, here’s a yummy sorbet you should try with ingredients like:
Cayenne?
Sure—this fiery spice spurs the sinuses and warms the body. It gives the nasties a kick without overwhelming the taste buds.
Bourbon?
It’s a classic remedy for colds.
Pectin?
Pectin helps coat and lubricate the throat.
So, there you have it—a new twist on the old remedy of whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
When I want to get really serious about flu remedies, I rely on my trusted friends at Mountain Rose Herbs for natural cold and flu prevention recipes.
I call my remedy:
Flu-Away Sorbet
2 cups fresh orange juice (I added some of the rind, finely chopped)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
1/4 t powdered ginger
One 3-oz packet liquid fruit pectin
1/8 t cayenne
2 to 4 T bourbon (or substitute organic butter rum flavor concentrate; start with 1/2 t and add more to taste)
Bring citrus juices, honey, and ginger to a quick boil. Remove from heat the minute the mixture begins to boil and add the cayenne until it dissolves. Then add the bourbon (or rum flavor) and pectin. Cool mixture, cover, and refrigerate until cold. Process mixture in an ice cream maker until it is the consistency of soft whipped cream. Pour into a storage container, press parchment paper against the surface of the sorbet to prevent ice crystals, and seal with an airtight lid. Freeze until firm, then dig in whether you’re sick or not!
Winnie Nielsen says: This looks yummy anytime! Cayenne in sorbet is an intriguing twist. Sort of like adding it to hot chocolate?
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.
One word… ADORABLE!
This just makes my day, and my day just started. Cutie-patooties, I’d say sweet poopies, (has nothing to do with diaper contents). I just love the lap sleeping and one-handed typing. I learned that from my cats. And of course you’re on deadline. Hee hee, what a great distraction. Could we have more pictures and adventures of Piper and Patch? I need lots of cuteness right now.
So adorable! How does anyone get work done???
Awwwww . . . sweet! Memories flood my mind and heart in remembering all the lambs we raised on our farm and how many lost their mommies and had to be bottle fed!
Sweet babies and yes, cuteness OVERLOAD!
Thanks!
CJ
Must Need is correct! Have you ever seen anything so precious?
These lambs are so-o-o cute & brightened my day. Thanks to you all!
Oh how cute, can I have a couple of them please?