Our local Farmers’ Market started up again here in my hometown of Moscow, Idaho, and that got me to thinking, do all of you know how wonderful farmers’ markets are?
First of all, they’ve been around forever. Since ancient times, farmers have been selling their produce and other goods to people. But in the last 20 years, there has been a significant resurgence.
Secondly, you can find a farmers’ market in practically every country and every community around the world.
Seriously—mountains, beaches, deserts … anywhere there are things that grow and people who eat.
The best part is the personal touch of a farmers’ market. Here’s what my family would bring in from our garden when I was a kid.
After I grew up (and of course bought a farm) and took my crops to town to be sold, I loved seeing who my veggies were going home with. When I have my consumer hat on, I love meeting the farmer who grows my food.
Buying direct from the person who planted and harvested your food is like sharing a meal with them. And that’s kinda nice, isn’t it?
Plus, going to market is just plain fun. Many markets, ours included, have live music from local musicians, and creative local craftspeople selling all sorts of good things like yummy-smelling candles and soaps, sparkling jewelry, and funky clothes. But it’s about more than shopping, of course.
It’s about community: friends, neighbors, and families gathering in the warm sunshine of spring and summer.
(Speaking of sunshine, hopefully we’ll have more of that in Idaho soon.)
Most important, it’s about supporting your farmers … and getting piles of fresh, organic, locally grown food to feed your brood back home.
So, if you’re not already a regular at a farmers’ market, make it a point to go this summer. If you’re not sure where the closest one is, try looking online (www.localharvest.org) or calling the closest co-op or natural food store; they’re bound to know.
Get out and get local, girls. Farmers’ markets are a fantastic way for a farmgirl to get fresh!
The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 7,387 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—10,656 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! ~MaryJane
Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …
For this week’s Each Other/Calligraphy Beginner Level Merit Badge, I bought myself a brand, spankin’ new notebook journal. I also invested in a nifty calligraphy pen. Then I tackled a skill my third-grade teacher wished I had applied myself to tackling quite a long time ago …
Penmanship.
In other words, I should’ve been a doctor. My autograph is a thing of legend. And by legend, of course I mean, unintelligible and incomprehensible scrawling. My handwritten letters to my Irish pen pal look as though perhaps my hen, Miss Toile, scratched them out with her toes. While balancing on one wing. Intoxicated. And upside down.
But, as I always say, go big or go home. In other words, learn calligraphy if you can’t print well.
I was able to read through—and get inspired by—Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe. (The book required for this badge is available on loan from MaryJanesFarm; contact library@maryjanesfarm.org.)
It was all so pretty and soothing to the eye. But appreciating it and actually learning it are two different things. (Ask me how I know. Go ahead. Because I have earned a badge or two in my time, that’s how.)
I’ve always had a thing for markers and pens and pencils and Sharpies. Ahhh, Sharpies, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways …
I knew I would learn to love my new calligraphy pen at least as much as my collection of Sharpies. We just had to get to know one another …
… she said, as she put the first stroke to paper …
Well, it wasn’t love at first sight, me and calligraphy, but all new relationships must survive a little test of fire, right? Ours wasn’t fire per se, but more like smudging, errors, creases, and one spilt beverage. That’s okay, I turned the page (literally), and began again.
I moved at approximately the speed of turtles after a turkey and pasta dinner, but I did manage to get through the whole alphabet.
photo by .angels. via Flickr.com
And, I must say, my calligraphy was rather lovely to look upon! I mean, I’m no Niels Shoe Meulman (inventor of Calligraphiti, the merging of calligraphy with graffiti), or Yazan Halwani (one of the youngest Arabic calligraphers around), or Edward Johnston (the father of modern calligraphy), or Wen Zhengming (Ming dynasty painter and calligrapher).
But, hey, I am Jane, Farmgirl Extraordinaire, Merit Badge earner, and the best calligrapher in my house!
Miss Toile notwithstanding.
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Debbie Klann!!!
Debbie Klann (debbieklann, #770) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Bee Good to Your Mother Earth Merit Badge!
“I am not known for having a green thumb; it’s more like a brown thumb! I also don’t have a lot of garden space anymore, but I decided last summer to start small and tuck in a few plants here and there where I could. I decided on zucchini and heirloom tomatoes.
Surprisingly, we had zucchini and tomatoes, and how delicious! I also found 3 organic sprays that I can mix to control aphids and mites, which I will use this year. I didn’t use any pest control last year, but I will have some ready in case this summer is different. I’m planning on using it on all of my roses. I also read the book, Montrose and enjoyed it. I don’t think I could ever garden on a scale such as that!”
Hey, Lizzy! What’s that, Larkspur? Did you know it’s our 2-legged Mommy’s birthday today? Maybe our readers would like to leave their birthday wishes for MaryJane in the comments below! Happy birthday, Mommy!
Continue reading
Samson might inspire this in you, ladies … or Fabio. Possibly Jennifer Aniston … or Carrot Top. Marge Simpson, definitely. Crystal Gale? For sure.
book cover by Katalin Szegedi via Wikimedia Commons
Cafune
What is it? By now, you’ve figured out it’s something to do with the follicles atop one’s head. Specifically,
(n.) running your fingers through the hair of someone you love.
Pronunciation: ka-FOO-nay
So, it begs the question, do balding men inspire the same kind of odd behavior in those of us smitten with them? If we can’t run our fingers through the hairs of our beloveds, will a nice rub or caress do the trick?
Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.
Someone get Mrs. Bruce Willis on the phone. Tell her it’s an emergency of the cafune type.
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.
