Did you know that December 5 is National Bathtub Party Day? This sounds like a farmgirl holiday thru and thru … why, of course, I’ll proudly celebrate this one! Just FYI, I should clarify, my party will not include any guests. A nice cold beverage, a good book, and I’m set to celebrate. Happy soaking!!
I shall wear diamonds
And a wide-brimmed straw hat
With silver and leather on it …
and I shall spend my social security
On white wine and carrots
And sit in the alley of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out in the middle of a summers’ night
And ride the chestnut mare
Across the moonstruck meadow.
If my old bones will allow.
When people come to call I will smile and nod
As I walk them past the gardens to the barn
And show, instead, the beauty growing there
In stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and
Wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment to all
Who look down on me.
They’ve not yet found the peace in being free
To love a horse as a friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With nuzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be,
When I am old.
Old Cowgirl by Patty Barnhart
Originally published in The Arabian Horse World magazine in 1992.
We thought these cows looked as if they’re sharing a cheeky comment.
Psssst. What do YOU think they’re saying?
Suggestions from our design staff were …
It’s a hometown book signing! I will be signing copies of my new book, Glamping with MaryJane, at Verde, a gardening/home decor store located in the Palouse Mall, this Saturday from 1-2 p.m. Don’t miss out, as there will be chocolate and goodies galore! There will also be live music by Garrett Clevenger. The Palouse Mall is located at 1850 W. Pullman Road.
If you can’t make it this weekend, I will also be at a signing next Wednesday, 7:30 – 8:30 pm, at BookPeople, located at 521 South Main Street, Moscow, Idaho. Get yer’ Glamping books signed in time for Christmas.
I was channel surfing (rare) looking for some quality programming the other day when I glimpsed a lady holding a chicken (even rarer!). My curiosity was piqued, so I lingered for a second or two to discover that there is a show called Redneck Island … (funnier still) and this lady, Catherine, brought her chicken, Pearl, with her.
My pet chicken, Ginger, and I cooed as we …
Another funny ‘farmin’ spoof. This one is a mimic of Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit, “Call me Maybe?” This kid is super cute!
Over the river, and through the wood
To _____________ we go!
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.
Photo courtesy of Gnadenalm via Wikimedia Commons
“When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of creation is completed inside us, the doors of our souls fly open, and love steps forth to heal everything in sight.”
— Michael Bridge
To gather my thoughts for composing what I would say at my mother’s memorial, I needed to create a space where I could work from my heart. Unbelievably blessed at birth—Helen Butters for a mother—I learned by her example how to find that place long before I was old enough to know what she was teaching me.
Before yoga and meditation and …
With permission from Judy, Scott, Kent and Rex, my sister and brothers, I was honored to represent them at my father’s funeral and sketch the life of Allen Butters, our dear, sweet, playful, amazing father. I’d like to enlarge my father’s circle of friends and share his life map with you — my readers.
Thirty-four years ago, when I was pregnant with my daughter Megan and living on a remote ranch in Idaho, Dad and Mom came up to help out. During the first two days of their five-day stay, Dad got busy and oiled my sewing machine, my bike, really anything that had moving metal parts, mended garden hoses, dug potatoes AND carved his name in several discreet places for me to discover later on. Mom sewed baby clothes, mopped floors, did some canning, and helped me make cheese and butter with the milk from my cow. Underneath all my busyness, I was troubled and uncertain.
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.
