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.
Nancy Chaney, mayor of my wonderful little town of Moscow, Idaho, was invited to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties (LMCTC) meeting, and to be THE speaker to introduce First Lady Michelle Obama yesterday at the White House.
That’s right. THE White House. And THE mayor of Moscow, Idaho.
The celebration highlighted elected officials and their roles as participants in the Let’s Move! initiative across the United States. Thirty-nine officials—from mayors, to county commissioners, to councilmen and women—were invited to attend the event.
Mayor Chaney says of the event, “It is my great honor and pleasure to introduce our Nation’s First Lady, the incomparable Michelle Obama. I am awed by her intellect, her grace under pressure, and by her willingness to tackle a goal so daunting as solving childhood obesity in a generation.”
Nancy moved to Moscow in 1980, and has served as Mayor since 2005 after two years on the City Council. She has worked as a nurse, archaeologist, editorial and administrative assistant, and small business owner.
Mayor Chaney was also appointed in 2012 as one of 15 members of the National League of Cities (NLC) Nominating Committee that was responsible for recommending a slate of officers and board members to lead NLC in 2013. The NLC provides technical assistance for the the Let’s Move! initiative with an overall agenda to help city leaders build better communities.
What’s the Let’s Move! campaign?
Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. A total of 330 cities, towns, and counties from 46 states and the District of Columbia, which collectively represent more than 56 million Americans, have committed to the initiative’s five goals.
Here is Mayor Chaney as she was introduced at the podium.
She had a fabulous speech. And, she’s done some great work with the Let’s Move! program, earning our city 3 out of 5 medals. NLC has awarded more than 1,000 bronze, silver, and gold “medals” to recognize local elected officials who have completed each goal. Does Moscow love its mayor? It certainly does. And she made us proud today!
Laurie Dimino says: Congratulations to Moscow, ID for being the home of such a wonderful woman!
Deborah Granay says: Congrats Mayor Chaney!
It is good to see a public servant that is working hard to fill the needs of their community! The best politicians seem to be the local ones! You are a fine example of that. Stay local and serve your constituents. They appreciate your efforts.
Winnie Nielsen says: Let’s here it for the Mayor of Moscow, Idaho! What an honor to introduce The First Lady too! About a decade ago, when my husband was a City commissioner, I attended one of the League of Cities National meetings in Salt Lake City. It was so amazing! There were incredible speakers, break out sessions, and topics on so many important issues. The highlight for me was when Steven Covey spoke and afterwards I was able to speak with him in person and get an autograph! After reading his books and being a part of the corporate culture push at work to adopt his concepts, I felt like I had been to Oz and seen the Wizard! For the rest of my working years, I kept the personal note her wrote to me at my desk where I could see it everyday. I think hearing and meeting Michelle Obama would be just as awesome. I love how she started the White House Garden and a focus on healthy eating and gardening in general. No doubt, Moscow is beaming with pride these days!!
Jim Dunne says: Nancy Chaney is one of the brightest and most capable public officials in the state of Idaho. Her many years of service in Public Health combined with her years as an elected public official– City Council Member and Mayor of Moscow— are clear evidence that she is a valuable resource for her city and for Idaho. She is highly intelligent, an attentive listener, possesses a quick wit and a fine sense of humor, and is a gifted and innovative problem solver. She is one of those rare public officials who is in the right place at the right time with the right set of skills to benefit the residents of Moscow and all the people her state.
That she was chosen to introduce the First Lady of the United States is a personal tribute to Nancy, a validation of the judgment of Moscow voters and an indication that Nancy’s many intellectual and political gifts are being recognized at the national level.
Jim Dunne
Terry Steinmetz says: W-O-W!!! That is so-o- great. And a big hats-off to Moscow, ID for a great achievement!
While Etta Jane is awaiting giving birth at the WSU Veterinary School, our attentions are turned to the other bovine beauties at my farm. We caught Sally O’Malley this week (you may remember “Scratching Post”) getting her itch on with what’s left of this dilapidated tree. Do cows purr?
Oooo how she was enjoying it. You could hear her smile.
Then, suddenly, who comes tearing across the field with gale force? None other than Ms. Maizy, who is one of the cows I milk every day. With an eyes-closed “huff,” she knocked Sally off her tree. “Can’t you read?”
Maizy is “herd boss” around here and quite a bit larger than most of my herd. Oh, and the one leading the pack when they all get into mischief. Maizy is the one who’s figured out how to open our gates (making it so I have double locks on everything).
3 …
2 …
1 …
Laurie Dimino says: Very Cute! Perhaps during tomorrow mornings milking session, you should have a little one on one with Miss Maizy and tell her she needs to play nice!
Winnie Nielsen says: One of my daughter’s milking goats has taken on the role of Matron on the herd. She gets everything first or delivers the same Maizy move to get the point across@! It is quite interesting to see the pecking order of various species of the animal kingdom. Cute faces can be so deceiving!! Most likely when the new baby arrives home, he/she will quickly learn who actually “enforces the rules” of the pasture! Maizy, you are the Queen!
Terry Steinmetz says: Maybe Maizy can’t help herself; she loves pictures taken ONLY of her!
Darlene Ricotta says: What beautiful faces on those cows, Mazy seems like she is a ham, me first! me first! I loved this story.
Oh the bovine games our cows play! We have so much fun working with and watching our Longhorns!
We have a “hobby herd” of ten. Our bull is Nougat and he is a rather easy going, for a bull. Our “momma” cows are Patty, Snowflake and Ebony, Patty clearly is the BOSS!!! Then we have three steers, all different ages and in line for the freezer, Gunsmoke, Huntly and Peyrone. One young heifer, Siete and then two youngest, still nursing heifer calves are Siobhan and Pepper. Because of great variations in Longhorn markings we have a lot of different configurations to enjoy . . . and some very, very LONG horns to be watchful of!
What fun they can be!
MaryJane says: I hear ya!!!! Some people watch birds at a feeder. We watch cows:) It takes a cowmom to know one.
How often do you stop to consider the world around you
from a different perspective?
It seems that we get set in our ways,
comfortably nearsighted,
amid the routine of daily life.
Stepping into a different light, or a different pair of shoes, can make a world of difference in the workings of our hearts and minds.
I love those moments when I stop and gasp, “Wow! There’s a whole new way to see that!”
Take, for instance, the photographs of an elusive London artist known only as “Slinkachu.”
(Don’t you love the alias?)
Playing with perspective is this man’s passion, and his photos persuade me to ponder …
Photo by Slinkachu, courtesy of The Little People Project
Winnie Nielsen says: It is so true that there is always another way to look at a situation. It seems like most of us just get one autopilot mode and stick with it. Oh, they things we miss!
Terry Steinmetz says: I have the grandgirls & they help me to keep my eye to a new perspective about everything!
Karlyne says: Perspective….
When I heard my cousin-in-law, Gretchen, was expecting again, I was impressed. With quite a few of us completely immersed in parenthood, I had that “I don’t know how she does it” thought. I knew we both had the same goals to feed our kids healthy, nutrient-filled foods, but how on earth was she managing with three boys under the age of 2??!!
Well, she’s sharing her secret … and not just with me. She’s started her own business called Gretchen’s Grains. It all began with her need for healthy and quick accents to a busy mom’s meals. As a mom with little ones, I can relate. When whole-grain rice takes an hour, it requires some planning … and sometimes, there just isn’t time. So pre-cooked frozen grains it is. Duh! Find yours in the frozen foods section at a Whole Foods or local coop near you. Way to go Gretchen!!!!
Winnie Nielsen says: I will have to look for these products. Her photo ideas show marvelous recipes too. And as your partner in training for a marathon, you are going to need lots of quality carbs for sure!!
Terry Steinmetz says: I love these grin Ideas!
Winnie Nielsen says: What a happy contented girl in her field of wildflowers and green grass!
Ahhh . . . nice to find something to scratch that itch! Our Longhorns are able to use the tips of their horns to scratch the backs down towards their tails! Amusing to watch!
CJ
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To set the stage for how it felt to walk away from my baby for the first time, here’s a 32-second Subaru TV ad that says it all. (I love this commercial.)
And here’s my “baby” in her new home-away-from-home for the next week or so.
Laurie Dimino says: Oh Mary Jane- how sweet. Wishing all the best for a fast and easy delivery for Etta Jane. Careful- she might just get used to AC and no flies! LOL. I’m hoping for a girl for you too! Please keep us updated.
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh, wow, what a cute girl! I didn’t know that Jersey cows came in miniature. Etta Jane is for sure in the best place for the upcoming event. We have a large and small animal hospital here at the Vet School and they are quite posh compared to your average barn on the farm! Her new digs look comfy and I bet she gets lots of attention from the vet techs. How much longer till the big day? I don’t blame you one bit for checking her in early to have constant care. It will be worth every dime in the end, not to mention your peace of mind and sanity!
The Subaru commercial is one of my favs as well. Speaking of commercials, have you seen the new Oreo cookie ones? Absolutely wonderful and fun! I especially love the one of the little girl singing to her Dad about maybe staying up a bit later. Too cute. You gotta see them if you haven’t yet.
Karlyne says: Oh, good gracious me! My granddaughter and I have wanted a Jersey forever (well, she’s only six, so I guess for about four years), and my best friend had pointed that mini cows are … easier! But I didn’t know that they came in Jerseys! Oh, my, yes, we will be visiting as soon as Etta Jane is accepting visitors and we can make the trip! Look at all those exclamation points — we are so excited!
Karla DeLong says: Oh I hope everything goes smoothly and without complications for Etta Jane! We are all excited to hear what she has and how she does. It looks like you left her in very capable hands, Mary Jane!! Hugs!!
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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.
Nice nest-box. I like the creative air vents:-)
Cute! Any dwellers?? Not many birds can brag about having digs with a front door!
This house sit outside of my sewing room window. The bluebird feed the babies. I buy mealworms for them.
Cute!! Would be an easy way to clean out the box.
I love it!
Cute!!! Where can I buy One???????? I want several for my farm.
That is darling. I have been looking at different types of bird houses, feed, water…etc. that will draw some interesting birds to our property. Also, in the fall I am going to host a children’s craft day where we build bat boxes!
I’d love to consider continuing to receive these emails. I am a librarian and have your magazine at the library. I just don’t see where it says Blog Alergs…Raising Jane Journal mailing list so I can click there and continue to receive your wonderful emails. Please keep me on your list to receive your emails. thank you very much..Vina Byrne
Hi Vina,
Go to this webpage: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/recipe-project/recipe-20130211.asp
And at the top, enter your e-mail address where it says “your e-mail here” then click “join our e-mail list” right below your entered email. It will take you to a new webpage where you can choose to opt-in or out of a variety of blog alerts for MaryJanesFarm. Make sure you’ve checked the “Blog Alerts: Raising Jane Journal” box to continue to receive Raising Jane email alerts. -ace
When I first looked, I thought bluebird house, THEN I thought, outhouse. It is adorable.
What would a farm be without one of these? A much smaller version but very cute.
Ah for the days of being a child. I grew up on a farm (until the age of 9) here in western Pennsylvania and maybe my memories are clouded or colored by fondness, but there was dew on the grass, a rooster crowed in the background, horses whinnied — oh, don’t get me started because here come the tears.
Lord, keep me grounded in the present but don’t let me forget the past.