Let Freedom Ring

Do you know who that is? On top of our United States Capitol Building?

It’s “Freedom.”

And “Freedom” is depicted as a chick. How cool is that? I learned that just the other day…..

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  1. Cindy Chesna says:

    AMEN!!!

  2. carol Branum says:

    Good Morning Rebecca,Lucky you!I have always wanted to do that.Yes,I agree totally with you about remembering memorial day for what it is,other than just going to the lake.Last year,Daddy and I got up really early coz I wanted to go with my girlfriends,we went to visit the graves together,I felt so guilty then leaving him to run with my girlfriends,because it was so hard on him.I was so thankful that I took the time to go with him.I found out about a couple of graves that I didn,t know about.This year we are planning to go to Branson to visit the graves of ancestors who owned land one mile from Silver Dollor City,and are buried there.I am very excited about that,I have been there many times before,but,I can honestly say that I have never decorated their graves,I plan to visit the Branson historical society while there to do more research on my great grandfather the doctor in the book THE SHEPARD OF THE HILLS".Have a great day,blessed be,Carol Branum,Lamar MO.,themofarmersdaughter@blogspot.com

  3. Cindy says:

    Thank you!! That really touched my heart.

    Cindy

  4. Heather Hansen says:

    What an awesome story. The only time I was in Washington D.C. was in the airport. I was waiting to catch a connecting flight to Europe, where I was going to study for a year.

    I really enjoyed seeing all the sights. It’s really nice to see them from someone else’s personal perspective. It makes it more real and enjoyable.

    I’m so grateful to live in this country. I lived in Europe for a few years and it is a beautiful place. However, we have so many more freedoms here. Freedoms that I’m so priviledged to enjoy. I hope I never take my freedom for granted.

    Our military works so hard for us. We just can’t thank them enough in my opinion 🙂 🙂 This was a great article. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  5. Larelle says:

    Wow, what an amazing trip. On my list of things to do in my lifetime is a trip to WDC. History has always been one of my favorite subjects and seeing up close the places where so much history has been made would be amazing.
    At the top of my list of places to see is Arlington and the memorials… What a testament to the many many brave men and women that have served our country so that we can be free.

  6. Brenda J. Doran says:

    Rebecca, I am so happy you had a great visit to DC. I moved to Virginia almost six years ago and have visited DC (90 miles north of us) numerous times. My heart still skips a beat when I get that first view of the Washington Monument. In the past six years I truly cannot count the number of visits we have made there; yet numerous Virginia native have claimed to never made the trip. I encourage all to go. The best bonus: ALL of the museums are FREE! Pack a lunch, park in the Metro free lot; take the train for $9 and it’s a day of fun!

  7. Carol in NC says:

    My son was also in DC last week on his senior trip with his class. Of all the things they saw I was surprised to hear that his favorite thing was Arlington Cemetery. Huh? He responded that it was very touching seeing all the markers lined up and knowing what they represented. I think you just articulated what he was feeling.

  8. DianeB says:

    What a post! I say Amen too. These are words that America needs to hear.

    Congratulations on your trip. It sounds like your family had fun and learned alot. I wish I could win a trip to Washington or anywhere! I guess you have to enter to win and I never enter. Maybe I’ll change that.

     

  9. Cheri says:

    So we DO celebrate the DAY- there is alot around our town square and the flea market etc, but it is truly ABOUT the parade and the marching band and the kids and mostly the Veteran’s. We belong to an amazing 4H club. One of the advisors leads us in some awe inspiring activites to pay homage to our local veterans. Last Veteran’s Day our members identified markers at a local cemetary- placed flags on the grave-sites and read about each veteran. We will be doing this again on 5/28 to start off the weekend. We will be paying homage to Civil War veterans at a different cemetary and hosting a pot luck for our local Veterans to come and share with us. We have also payed homage to those of the War of 1812, ok those markers are HARD to identify. Our local high school also has an appointed bugelist to play for such occassions and funerals in town. We are very blessed to have a real understanding of how to celebrate Memorial and Veteran’s Day. I have even planted poppies under my own flag pole at home. We get it, thanks for reminding others

  10. Reba says:

    Thanks for reminding me; I have a brother that served several tours in Viet Nam. Thankfully, I can still tell him how much I appreciate him. The pictures were great!

  11. Carla says:

    I have to share an experience I had years ago. It was May of 1993, my husband was stationed at a US Air Force Base in the south. My youngest son had came home with the school calendar for May, and while looking it over I noticed that there was school scheduled for Memorial Day. I called the school office and was informed that "yes, there would be school that last Monday in May" I questioned her by saying it is a Federal Holiday, a National Holiday. She informed that "No, It is a Yankee Holiday and my child would be expected to be in school that day" Wow, what a surprise. Later in the local paper there was the notice of helpers needed to place flags on veterans graves the Saturday before Memorial Day. So that is what my sons and I did that weekend. Yes, I did send them off to school that day, with lots of apprehension. As my older sons became high school students, they took matters into their own hands and skipped school on the last Monday in May; frequently with other children of active duty military members.

    I will say, that this event did cause me to realize that these United States are still very divided on many issues. I also learned the history of Memorial Day that May of 1993.

  12. Leila says:

    Was looking this morning for thoughts on God’s use of ordinary people. I appreciated yours.

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A Blooming Mid-Spring Challenge

Oh yeah….You read it right. “Challenge.” You, me. More on that in a minute.

But first. Thank you so much for your insightful comments on love and marriage. I’m working on that booklet and will include everyone’s words. Yes, even you guys who thought you couldn’t offer any advice…your words were filled with wisdom. I mean, just go back and read them. Full of wisdom. Thank you.

Now about this “mid-spring” challenge I’ve conjured up.

Well, not yet. Let’s talk about “mid-spring” first, in all its glory, then we’ll get to that “challenge” part. 

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  1. Debbie says:

    Hey Rebekah!
    Great post! Your absolutly right about mid -spring and the opportunities it has for growth! Inside and out! All I have to do is look outside my kitchen door and see my "now" very tall Tree Peone. I swear if I go outside at night I can watch things grow! Only a few short weeks ago we were celebrating " new growth" in the garden! Your challenge is a good one! All of us girls seem to put others first… and that’s o.k. cuz giving to and loving those we care for best is what live for… But the well can run dry if it’s not refilled with things we personally love and need too~ Two years ago I signed up for riding lessons at the ripe old age of 47! for a solid year on wednesday mornings from 9-10 that hour was MINE…The economy took it’s turn and I stopped my weekly lesson then, but I tell ya it was my salvation and the things I learned about myself and horses was to me at least imeasurable… I’m hoping to be back in the saddle real soon.. and in the mean time I’m growing a gigger vegggie garden this year,food, walking 3 x’s a week consistantly, and adding more color to my summer garden.. just cuz I love it and I’ve got an art show coming up which I am joyfully preparing for!
    Thanks for the reminder that we need to give ourselves some " sugah" while we are sprinkling it over everyone else!

    Enjoy this day and best to you on your run!!!

    Dandelion wishes,
    Deb~

  2. I’m proud of you. Every 5K starts with a bunch of aching muscles and the surety that it can’t be done!

    Hooray, hooray!

    I don’t think a 5K is in my future for health reasons BUT I finally challenged by brain to a 5K and started writing down one of the stories I tell my Granddaughters.

    If you have a quiet moment, with an iced tea, sitting amidst those lovely mid-Spring flowers I would love to share it with you.

    This link will take you to Chapter One! I think this might be a story you would enjoy! http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-first-story-time-tuesday.html

    You know that quote? "You live your life like you live your days"?

    I am determined to make every day in my life count!

    I’m savoring Rebekah. I’m savoring!

  3. Cindy says:

    Thanks so much for identifying the Cherokee Rose for me! We have many of these growing down our lane, and I wondered what they were. And you are right about the honeysuckle! I lost my sense of smell about 2 years ago, but my daughter tells me that it’s just heady this year! I miss that smell!Well..all smells. Don’t you just love the wild roses too? I think they are so beautiful! Georgia is so beautiful in the spring! Thanks for another great story!

  4. Oh, I’d forgotten all about sucking Honeysuckle nectar! There is nothing sweeter or more fragrant. Thanks for the little jaunt down memory lane. It transformed me from a gray haired matron back in to a wee lassie with long braids the color of black coffee…sipping on flowers in my grandparent’s back yard. :o) shery

  5. Cathy says:

    I’ve got a natural way for poison ivy if you want to hear it. When we moved to our property I ended up with poison ivy from head to toe (literally) 2 years in a row. We had vines growing up our walnut trees about 8" in diameter! We chopped the vine at the base and made a solution of 1 cup dishwashing liquid, 2 cups rock salt and 1 gallon boiling water. Stir and pour quickly over exposed root at dusk (very important). The ivy plants feed at night we were told. Anyway that killed the vine after one application.
    As always, I enjoy your blog…

  6. Suzy says:

    I am determined to start back WALKING again. Even though I get a lot of exercise tending to this homestead and all these livestock by myself (farm is mine, husband not interested)…it’s just not the same as when I was walking four miles each day. So I am determined to get some GOOD walking shoes and begin walking on SCHEDULE again! I feel better when I do it, I look better, and I might even shed a few pounds which again will make me feel better!

    Thank you for this challenge! I may go walk my "track" right now (I have an area I keep mowed all around the pasture!)

  7. Melody says:

    Last September I attended a Michigan Oral History Conference in Marquette, MI. at the campus of Northern Michigan University. This is where I met the Secretary of MOHA, Geneva Wiskkanen; my dear friend and mentor. Nena and I hit it off right away and over the course of the weekend I learned many valuable things from her about documenting and archiving history.

    Just a few weeks… ago in early spring, I decided to proceed with a project that I have been wanting to do since the conference; gathering a collection of Farmgirl Histories,and compiling them into a little book.

    I posted a requested in the chat room of MaryJanes Farm web site for Farmgirls that were interested in participating and the response was staggering! My collection is growing every day and the answers are in such depth and detail. They are funny and sad and tell the rich story of their families. I am enthralled!

    I feel very blessed to be the one to record these histories.I am learning about the determination of these girls and their families and also the love of this land through their own farmgirl histories!

    I know this project has, and is, changing my life–A little seed was planted back in September and before long a lovely tree of history will soon be up and growing; stretching and reaching for the sun.

  8. Linda Mae says:

    I issued a challange this year because I will be 50 in July. So for the second half of life I’ve decided I need some overhaulin’. I’m gunking out the old and flowing in the new in almost every aspect of my life. Emotional, spiritual, physical and gardenal (which isn’t a word but went with the al theme!)
    I’m forever happy that my great God is a God of second chances….although I’m probably on my at least 100th second chance…there’s still time to reflect, pray and change.

    Oh, i’m also going to do a workshare on a farm this summer! that’ll be great since we just moved to the city…:)

  9. Rene says:

    Well, now that you mentioned it – I learned how to spin yarn on a spinning wheel which I thought would be easy since millions of women spin!! Not so! It is difficult to stay consistant with the width of the yarn and I was very tempted to give up but I didn’t and now I am VERY proud of myself for sticking with it. I still need to keep practicing, but spinning is so much easier now. Thanks for reminding me!

  10. Julie says:

    I love reading your blog.You are such an inspiration. Just a few days ago I signed up for an online class called "The Herbalist’s Path". I’ve been wanting to for years and I finally started.I’m so excited to be doing this as it’s been a long time dream. I have also decided to start eating organic and to eat less meat. I’m also putting in more garden area in my back yard. Finally, the herb garden I’ve always dreamed of. That’s alot I know but I’m always full of project ideas and I am determined to make them happen. Thanks again for the inspiration. Blessings!

  11. Barbara says:

    Love this post and want to share it. However, I don’t see an easy way to do that. Why is there no Share box here?

  12. carol Branum says:

    Rebecca,thank you for you blog and all of the inspireing comments,I have been low on ideas lately.The last really neat thing I did was ANNIES PROJECT,a class on how to actually be a farmer.Since then I have been working a second part time job,and have been tired and low on new ideas.I am pushing myself to buy more organic food,and less meat.My challenge to you and to your readers is to take square dance lessons.It is a dieing art form of dance,and it is so much fun.It is also a cheap activity,and with so many people low on money now days,they should try to have some cheap old fashioned fun!Our club charges 3 dollors per lesson,and 5 dollors gets you intrance into a dance,plus a pot luck meal.Thanks for some good ideas,and girls wash that gray right out of your hair with Redkens new cover fusion,ask about low lights for you gray headed girls,Serry low light your hair!and Rebecca,I also challenge you to have your hair curled with CHIs new ORBIT IRON.I would love to give you girls{Mary Jane} a new retro look!The Orbit gives you Taylor Swift retro curls,you will love it!Laying low,loving life,and living large on a beer budget,blessed be,Carol Branum,themofarmersdaughter@blogspot.com

  13. I actually recently gave MYSELF a Spring Challenge: invite people over every Friday. Stop waiting for the house to be clean or for a special occasion. So, we now fling open the garden gate every Friday from 4-6pm and enjoy "Fridays in the Garden". We offer local snacks and wine, ice water and tea, and we sit down… yes, SIT DOWN, for 2 hours, in the garden, beside the running fountain, and actually talk to whatever friends wander through the gate. This Friday will be our 3rd week. It’s a treasured time and I’m so glad I did it.

  14. Darlene says:

    I have just completed my 3rd straight semester of college. I am 42 and decided after my babies flew the nest that I needed to do this. I am loving it! Today was my last final exam and I have taken the summer off, so no classes until the end of August. The whole summer is splayed out in front of me like an enormous playground. What WILL I do? I have a thousand things I need to do.. but what will I challenge myself to do? I challenge myself to walk each morning, 5 days a week. When I walk it is me, God, and his creation all around me. I am going to give this gift to myself!

  15. Joeby says:

    My challenge is to do a destination half marathon with my husband and daughter next January. I am excited! I have never ran more than a couple of miles in my life – I’m 42 and up for the challege. I am also seriously gardening for the 2nd year. I love it!
    As for killing the poision ivy…not 100% sure it will work, but I have read you can put full strength vinegar plant you are wanting to kill – as long as it is in the sun, and it will kill it. I think it has to have full sun to work. Most of us have vinegar and it would be worth the try.
    I really enjoy your blog!

  16. Carol in NC says:

    Now don’t get all romantic on us about that Multiflora Rose. Sure, it looks great while it’s blooming and we ooh and ahh but what a battle in reality! I’m constantly fighting them on my place because they are so invasive (they’re actually from Asia) and I have threatened to get some goats to do my fighting for me. And as for the honeysuckle, well, same thing but I have to admit that I still love to suck out the nectar….

    On a brighter note, I got a pristine old Singer treadle sewing machine a few weeks ago (Thanks Mary Jane for the idea) and have been having a great time!

    I love the ‘Fridays in the Garden’ idea from commenter Donna!

  17. Jennifer says:

    Yesterday morning I went on my one of my daughter’s field trips with her school to the Landis Valley Museum her in Central PA. During the trip we stopped at the Old Country Store and I picked up this great book – Sunflower Houses. If you have kids or gkids you need to research this. So here goes my challenge to break out of the non-creative side of me AND BONUS do something cool with my girls. I could go into great detail about the Sunflower House, but what I would really like to ask is if some of you have done this and some tips. Best wishes to all on your challenges and send a little my way please.

  18. kay says:

    My mid-spring smell came to me today as I was putting
    carrot seed in the ground. Outside of my garden fence I
    have a row of Lily-of-the-valley blooming…now that’s a wonderful smell…

  19. Valynne says:

    Congrats on the 5k! That must have felt so good. The trail run definitely sounds like more fun to me. My challenge to you is to keep us posted on your successes : )

    As for my mid spring challenge…I am taking an online travel writing course that begins next Tuesday. Excited and nervous. My challenge is to set aside three hours a day to focus on writing and nothing else. No excuses.

    Regarding vinegar; this is the second time I have read about it being an effective weed killer this week! I can’t wait to try it for myself. I use it to clean mirrors all of the time. One can replace most harsh chemical cleaning agents with baking soda, essential oils, borax, etc…

    Thank you for another inspiring post Rebekah, and Happy Mid Spring Everyone!

  20. Peggy Beck says:

    My first look at your blog and I love it. I found the magazine Mary Jane’s Farm first and have been in love ever since.

    I lost my significant other in Dec. of last year and I have been challenged to reinvent my life since. I am just now starting to think of what I would like to do with this now lonely life to make it super. I love your idea of challenging ones self and today I signed up for a new class in needle felting. Thank you for your post and wisdom.

  21. NAncy says:

    Thank you for sharing this delightful article. I totally agree,my favorite season in Colorado. Love the sound of the Hummingbirds returning and the baby birds in the nest in an old barn wood birdhouse in my garden,it is a sight and sound that I find comforting.

  22. Katy says:

    I love your blog! I wanted to post a comment to let you know, nice job! I feel inspired whenever I visit Mary Jane’s Farm. Katy

  23. Amy says:

    My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!

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