It’s Raining Jane …
Nope, not a slip of the key.
Raining. Jane.
Call it serendipity.
There I was, surfing the Web in search of one of my old Raising Jane posts,
and Google introduced me to a group of four musically gifted mavens who call themselves
Raining Jane.
Of course, I forgot the task at hand and wandered off—ears first—to find out more.
“In an era of overnight sensations that fizzle as quickly as they spark, and a time when music seems often overshadowed by a side show of special effects, it’s a relief to know that there are still bands out there that are the real thing: bands who play their own instruments, write their own songs, and have the musical chemistry that can only come from playing and touring together for over a decade,” the band writes on their website. “This is Raining Jane.”
The women of the band (Mai Bloomfield, Becky Gebhardt, Chaska Potter, and Mona Tavakoli) launched their musical career with a UCLA concert in 1999, and although they have received notoriety for collaborating with popular singer-songwriter Jason Mraz since 2007, they hold their own with the soulful solidarity of sisterhood and have four independent albums under their belts.
Here’s one of their older tunes …
On their Facebook page, they say, “Every morning in the Raining Jane van, we raise our teacups to toast, ‘Welcome to your life.’ We aim to make tasty lemonade out of whatever it is we can find out there in the world … We are interested in good people who like to do good things. Those things include (but are not limited to): creating, music, having fun, helping others, dancing, eating delicious food, expressing gratitude, skipping, whistling, etc.”
Get further acquainted with Raining Jane at Rainingjane.com/home.rj.
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Diane Kasperzak!!!
Diane Kasperzak (DiDi, #3657) has received a certificate of achievement in Each Other for earning a Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert Level Farmgirl Shutterbugs Merit Badge!
“I researched the photography terms and found several of them to be intriguing (especially framing and leading lines) and something I hadn’t considered when taking photos. I will try to use these techniques in the future.
I have taken well over 20 photos of horses, country scenes, and family pets, three of which were posted on the chatroom.
I got a blue ribbon at the Eastern States Exposition for the Black-eyed Susan photo posted in the chatroom, and a white ribbon at the Four-Town Fair for the photo of my parents’ dog, Baby Sammy.
I admire so many of the famous photographers’ photos, but I am particularly drawn to close-ups of flowers. There are many such photos on display online, and I was also inspired by a woman I worked with who also takes flower photos. We went to the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls on two occasions, and I posted my 10 favorite photos from those trips in the chatroom. I also entered several of the photos in the local fairs, and shared 8x10s with several elderly family members to send them cheer.
I read “50 Incredible Photographic Techniques and Tutorials” and “Ten Top Photography Composition Rules.”
I was astonished when I first saw my photos; I won a few ribbons at the fairs; my family loved the colorful photos; I learned new techniques; and I look forward to another wonderful trip to one of my new favorite places, the Bridge of Flowers.
I have taken photos for several events where I have taken more than 100 photos at each. One occasion was a high-school graduation. In addition to a photo album for the graduate, I framed several photos of her with her family members. I also have made several calendars with photos that I have taken.
I read “Advanced Photography Techniques,” “Six Advanced Tips for Photography Composition,” and “18 Composition Rules for Photos that Shine.”
I posted one of my favorite photos of a chipmunk sitting on a raccoon statue, along with my thoughts about taking photos, in the Farmgirl Connection Chatroom.
I have recently been informed by the National Wildlife Federation that I was a finalist in its 2015 photo contest, and that my photo of a chipmunk sitting on a raccoon statue (taken in my backyard) is on the NWF website in the Honorable Mention slideshow. The photo was also awarded a blue ribbon at the Eastern States Exposition.”
My Hellebores are in bloom! Also known as Lenten Roses, these and snowdrops are the first flowers I get to feast my eyes on in early spring. I love these so much that two years ago, I planted 30 more plants—they come in a wide range of colors. A single blossom, nestled in a tea cup, will last for over a week.
We always say, “It’s the little things that count.”
Indeed.
As we huddle here in the final stretch of winter, I find myself dreaming of details,
the little things that make spring so special.
So, as thoughts will do, mine hopped around until they landed on this idea:
A “can-you-guess” sort of quiz that gives you a close-up glimpse of the coming season’s lovely little things.
Scroll through the images and their multiple-choice identities, below, and give ‘em a guess. Some are more obvious than others, but all are dream-worthy. The answers are at the end.
1.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
2.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
3.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
4.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
5.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
6.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
7.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
8.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
9.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
10.
Photo by Nick Fedele via Flickr
11.
Photo by Justus Thane via Flickr
12. And here’s one to help you appreciate the miniscule marvels of today (hint, hint):
Photo by Alexey Kljatov via Flickr
Answers:
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.
