August | 2011 | Raising Jane

Real Worth of Farm Animals

Posted on August 31, 2011 by maryjane

Travel. It’s something I do these days. More than I’d prefer. If I didn’t HAVE to travel, I’d probably never go more than 30 miles past the end of my lane. But because it seems to be what’s required of me these days, I’ve figured out how to make it work for me. I’ve discovered it’s in the little things, the perks. A handmade travel case I adore. The snacks I prepare the night before. The books I get to read. The luxury of a quiet hotel room that’s all mine. The dinner I pack on ice that greets me when, travel weary, I open my suitcase the first night I arrive. Time to paint my toenails. Time to think. Stare out a window.

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Osagegypsy says:

September 12, 2011 at 1:17 pm

You are right MJ. My horses take me away from myself and my worries. Brushing manes and teaching the babies not to nip, fly spray, ointment on wounds, scrubbing the water tanks. Much easier than cleaning house!

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Mary Jo Vick says:

September 20, 2011 at 4:10 am

What a lovely post, MJ! I have to say that I AM thankful that you travel because I was one of the fortunate ones that spent the afternoon with you and Meggie in St. Paul learning about bread… your way. I spoke with you about wanting to do a B&B in west Texas with airstreams… anyhoo… I relate to your words about leaving your ‘soft place to land’ as I call it. My energy shifts in such a degree at the ranch that it’s nice to know you relate as well. Your blog writing is wonderful… it is personal and connecting… it feels like you’re writing ME a little note and I’m very proud of you!

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- MaryJane says:
  
  September 20, 2011 at 6:39 pm
  
  Blush, gosh, golly, shuffle my feet and kick the dirt. Airstreams yes, but how about small chic retreats like the one in our Feb/March 2011 (Sanctuaries) issue? Each of our units have an outdoor tub but our shower house is communal along with the outhouses. If Texas is too hot, you could have AC also. Remember to appeal to women. They BRING their partners for sure but the B&B world seems to be driven by the female need to experience the romance of PLACE.
  
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Deb says:

September 21, 2011 at 2:46 pm

Hi Mary Jane! This is so fun, you haveing a blog!!!
I travel like you do… with one foot at home and the other one out in the world stepping into new experiences with anticipation and some nerves as well… I love your idea of ” little comforts ” to bring along and your ” grateful goodbye” is similar to what I do… I write a note of love and thanks and pack it in my carry on….I’ts my good luck note for traveling! I give thanks for all I have, and all that I will experience while I’m away, and I pray for a safe return….What could be better than ” grounding” yourself upon your return with your animals… It’s calming, centering and just plain good for the soul! Naturally, I’m always happy to see my family, and I can’t wait to reconnect with my ” girls” our corgi Max and my gardens…
As always, your words sooth and inspire! THANK YOU!
hugs,
Deb ( your BEACH farmgirl blogger )

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Happiness Is Catching

Posted on August 16, 2011 by megan

I’m finding contagious joy in the silliest of places!

I’ve noticed that the things that make us smile don’t always make sense on paper. If you’d like an example, look no further than…

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sheryylynn1000 says:

August 17, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Just what I needed.
I often tell my children stories about the silly things we’ve done. When my son was around this same age he would smear his baby food all over his mouth to get us to laugh–then he would do the same chortle.
As they get older it seems as if we forget to laugh with them. I try to turn any event into a giggle fest. Checkout the game “slamwich”, within minutes I can have my kids laughing that “pee-in-you-pants” giggle even as a teen!

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Karen England says:

August 17, 2011 at 8:06 pm

i giggle every time a lemon pip (seed) gets in my mouth. I usually, make that always, get them while sipping through a straw from drinks like iced water or tea. I should probably mention that I drink a lot of lemon water and tea! The reason i giggle is that I used to “try” to spit the pip out every time it happened with abysmal results. Now i react to a pip in my mouth like pavlov’s dog to a bell. I giggle even though i no longer even bother to try and spit them out even though I still drink copious amounts of lemon in my beverages. My failed pip spittings over the years resulted in my spitting seeds all over my car (or porch or office…) while trying to spit them out the window (or off the porch or into the office trash…). Once, when i would have finally made it out the car window, finally! The window wasn’t rolled down! That pip bounced off the window and ricocheted off my chin back into the car with the other pips. I hit passengers, accidentally of course, while aiming away from them. pathetic. nowadays I just let them tumble out of my mouth into my hand and throw them away. Oh, and yes, I am just as bad at throwing as i am at spitting! My giggling continues.

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Kayla Marie says:

August 17, 2011 at 9:05 pm

I laugh ridiculously at my cats chasing a laser. It keeps them active and they are so funny that they will chase it and run into a wall or your leg. It keeps me laughing and healthy!

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Cyndi says:

August 18, 2011 at 3:20 am

My dogs break up paper also, and paper towels are their favorite!
Smiles, Cyndi

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Sue says:

August 18, 2011 at 8:26 am

Thank you for my first real laugh of the day. My rule is to have at least one good belly laugh every day. It’s good for the soul. Luckily I have a a very funny husband.

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Debbie says:

August 18, 2011 at 5:41 pm

Oh Meg,
Both of those are great! We laugh when our Corgi Max attacks the water coming out of the hose and when we use a metal tape measure… Hmmm maybe we better get filming!!!
thanks for the belly laughs!
Deb ( your beachfarmgirl )

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Meg says:

September 12, 2011 at 11:38 am

A good laugh per day MUST be good for our health! Happy laughing! 😉

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Rock On!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by maryjane

I’ll bet that when you’re counting your blessings, rocking gently as you meditate on all that you have to be thankful for, you’re probably leaving out your seat!

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Ginny says:

August 15, 2011 at 8:53 pm

Sure do! And it’s all those things you mention! Bought it when I was in labor with my baby, sitting in it at our small town auction while my hubby was running around the Festival we were at doing his weekly newspaper duties! When they at last got to the rocker, the auctioneer apologized for making me get up to auction it off, said he needed $25.00 for it minimum. Knowing I didn’t have a rocker for that baby trying to get out, I bid on it and no one wanted to bid against me! Still rock in it today, but boy the horse hair sticking out of the fabric sure does itch! Thanks for the memory!

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Angela says:

September 11, 2011 at 11:26 am

Ever since I was a little girl, when I get really upset I go sit in my grandfather’s wooden rocking chair. I never knew him as he died when I was a baby, but the comfort I feel from just sitting in that chair is something I can’t put into words.

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No Way

Posted on August 6, 2011 by maryjane

Katie Terry is a Utah County woman who exemplifies gratitude. She already had two special-needs kids when she was paralyzed from the waist down in an auto accident. Yet in an effort to live the best life she can, she’s been running races with a hand-cycle. In fact, she took part in the Boston Marathon.

She is, literally, inspiration on wheels.

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The Queen’s Throne

Posted on August 4, 2011 by maryjane

I’ve been deliriously happy and grateful the last year over something that is well, mmmmmm, kind of unmentionable.

“She isn’t!” (Carol’s voice.)

Yes, I am.

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julia hayes says:

August 12, 2011 at 7:55 pm

I can’t wait to read about the days to come when we both muse over how grateful we are for a nice healthy poop! Ah yes, indoor plumbing!! Just so you know, the word LALA will forever have a new meaning for me!!! La la la la la la hmm hmm hmm ladee dee la la la!!

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Arline Nash says:

August 12, 2011 at 10:17 pm

HA! Love it!

For several of our young parenting years, we lived with no running water (unless you count the BEAUTIFUL river that flowed by), electricity or indoor plumbing! Ohhhhh!! I am grateful for plumbing. But… there are sweet memories of that time. It was GOOD!

When we moved again and had the “normal” mod-ee cons, again, our boys still called the rest room the outhouse. LOL! It took a while for that to fade.

Sweet memories. Thank you, MaryJane!

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Debbie says:

August 30, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Mary Jane,
You’re a hoot! During Hurricane Irene we were without power for a little over a day. My husband and I chuckled quietly at our 13 year old daughter because she was so focused on the fact that she couldn’t have a shower! I really though her early training from summers at our off grid beach cottage would have better prepared her for the brief inconvenience of no daily shower, but then again she is a typical teen… Hey, we thought we’d made the big time when we got a solar pump to flush our indoor potty at the cottage a few years ago instead of hauling in a bucket when we needed to flush…
We have a saying on our little beach to remind all visitors how we do things.
” If it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down” …
Glad you have a flusher now too!
Hugs toall!
Deb ( your beach farmgirl )

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Cindy Baugh says:

October 7, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Crap! That was funny!

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Betty Stone says:

November 10, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Of course, when you move your little house, it always goes forward, never backward or sideways. Other than having to get up so many times at night now, I could not conceive of using an outhouse. I can remember as a kid on Grandma’s farm, having to go in the middle of the night and walking the block in the dark to it, swishing my flashlight around and seeing multiple “eyes” glowing back at me. Scared me to death, only to find out in the morning that Grandpa had greased his plow and that was what my flashlight was picking up on!

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