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.
On May 6, I turn 65. As a gift to myself, I’ve decided to go missing from most of my daily endeavors from now until Monday, May 21. I’m going to give my desk a good cleaning, close the screen on my laptop, and walk away. I want to revisit the unscheduled/quiet/uncluttered daily-ness of my younger, more eremitish self. Forty winks and a campfire, here I come. When I return, I hope to see your smiling faces again.
(n.) Origin 1760-1770
Definition: spoon, variant of obsolete spoom (of a ship) to run or scud before the wind + drift, spray blown from waves during a gale at sea. Spoondrift.
In other words, it’s what gives us “beach waves” in our hair (that are all the rage these days), and what cools off our sunburn during a trip to the coast. And it’s also the sea’s idea of an all-natural moisturizer.
Photo by Chris Richardson via Wikimedia Commons.
Quotes:
“Just the same, I guess I can show you girls a good time at spoondrift.”
– The Corner House Girls Under Canvas, Grace Brooks Hill
“Spoondrift is the spray from the tops of the waves,” explained Pearl.
– The Corner House Girls Under Canvas, Grace Brooks Hill
“And it was cold—oh, it was cold! The pinching cold was like a vise: spoondrift flew freezing, fold on fold. It coated them with ice.”
– The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886 Ministry of Education
Barbara Criss says: I have never heard of this word. I looked it up in my dictionary just to be sure I understood it’s meaning right. It is also called spindrift. I like spoondrift better. I am not a fan of the ocean, but I do enjoy it’s mist. I used to spend summers in South Carolina with my sister and we went to the beach quite often.
Lisa Von Saunder says: I have sailed through alot of spindrift as we called it. Sailed around the world on a ship for a year. Spend alot of my childhood on the seacoast as well.
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.
Happy Birthday!!! I think you are giving yourself an awesome gift. Enjoy!!!
Good for you and a very Happy Birthday, we all need to do that at some times just connect to what makes you happy and enjoy your days.
Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy!
Happy birthday to you! What a wonderful idea…enjoy every moment!
Happy birthday early MaryJane! remember to bring along some of those books that you promised yourself to read eventually. You know that pile.
Love that quote, here’s another:
” Be here now”
It’s been my personal mantra for 40 years.
I totally understand your need for a break. I often wonder how you do all that you must have to do every day. I can barely keep up with my have to dos. I live a semi-hermit lifestyle every day and I love it. I can hardly stand to have to go do something at a certain time anymore. This living in the woods for twenty years has gotten me totally spoiled to doing what I want when I want. So Happy Birthday and enjoy you quiet time to the max.
Home is where the heart is. I just the last year of my sixth decade. I imagine the next decade will only get better.
Happy exploring!
Enjoy!
Enjoy life in the slow and easy. We will be here when you return unless in fact we all take a break from the busyness of life and enjoy a little away ourselves. Cheers to you MaryJane!
Happy of birthdays to you Mary Jane!!
Happy birthday, my fellow Taurean! “I must break away and get out in the mountains to learn the news…For going out, I found, was really going in…” John Muir May beauty, joy and peace surround your 65th circle round the sun!
My wish for you is that this time will be everything you hope it will be and more
Happy early birthday. Enjoy your gift to yourself.
What a wonderful treat for yourself! I’m envious, have a wonderful Birthday and may this time bless you!
Happy birthday! I recently turned 65 myself and I can say it’s not bad at all!
Have the best birthday ever. You’ll enjoy the peace.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY JANE! I hope you get renewed, re=energized, recharged and enjoy some special things that you want to enjoy!
We will miss you!
Wishing you all the best! I turn 65 in August, for me, it is an exciting time. I too am spinning a cocoon – so ready for this transformation!
I too am turning 65 May 13th. Happy Birthday. May you be strengthened during this time.
Enjoy your time and rest!! We will all be here when you return and excited to learn about all of your fun and adventures that you enjoyed.
Happy Birthday wishes to you and BIG Farmgirl hugs on your special day!!
Thank you tremendously for all you’ve motivated us to do. May your solitude recharge you for the next era of your life. A wonderful happy birthday to you.
Enjoy your time away!
Congrats on your birthday, and most especially, taking care of yourself . Peace.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Enjoy each and every moment!
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful gift to someone who has given so many gifts, tangible and intangible, to all of your readers.
I am a may baby too. And 4 years behind you in age. I love the idea of taking a time off. Regrouping for the next 20! Thank you so much for sharing your talents and helping us make the world a little saner and homier. Happy Birthday!
I miss you; come back!
Happy belated Birthday MJ! And it’s a milestone celebration to boot! I’m having some away time at the cottage this week and catching up with you here is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. So glad I popped in to find you on respite. You’ve earned it!!! Fill the well with all you love and enjoy!
Farmgirl hugs,
Deb ( Beach Farmgirl))
I too have been away and am glad to rediscover you once again! Happy b-day!