“It will never be perfect. Make it work. Accept the imperfections.”
Life
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
”
~ Mark Twain
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
Column contents © Deb Bosworth. All rights reserved.
Being a farmgirl is not
about where you live,
but how you live.
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
Column contents © Rebekah Teal. All rights reserved.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart … and break clear away once in awhile to climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods, to wash your spirit clean.
”
~ John Muir
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Column contents © Cathi Belcher. All rights reserved.
“Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
”
~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
Column contents © Dori Troutman. All rights reserved.
Previous Ranch Farmgirl,
Oct 2009 – Nov 2013
Wyoming cattle rancher and outpost writer (rider), shares the “view from her saddle.” Shery is a leather and lace cowgirl-farmgirl who’s been horse-crazy all of her life. Her other interests include “junktiques,” arts and crafts, glamping, collecting antique china, and cultivating mirth.
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
Column contents © Mary Murray. All rights reserved.
Farmgirl
is a condition
of the heart.
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Column contents © Alexandra Wilson. All rights reserved.
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
June 2010 – Jan 2012
Libbie’s a small town farmgirl who lives in the high-desert Sevier Valley of Central Utah on a 140-year-old farm with her husband and two darling little farmboys—as well as 30 ewes; 60 new little lambs; a handful of rams; a lovely milk cow, Evelynn; an old horse, Doc; two dogs; a bunch o’ chickens; and two kitties.
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
April 2009 – May 2010
René lives in Washington state’s wine country. She grew up in the dry-land wheat fields of E. Washington, where learning to drive the family truck and tractors, and “snipe hunting,” were rites of passage. She has dirt under her nails and in her veins. In true farmgirl fashion, there is no place on Earth she would rather be than on the farm.
Farmgirl spirit can take root anywhere—dirt or no dirt.
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
Column contents © Nicole Christensen. All rights reserved.
Previous Suburban Farmgirl,
October 2009 – October 2010
Paula is a mom of four and a journalist who’s partial to writing about common sense and women’s interests. She’s lived in five great farm states (Michigan, Iowa, New York, Tennessee, and now North Carolina), though never on a farm. She’s nevertheless inordinately fond of heirloom tomatoes, fine stitching, early mornings, and making pies. And sock monkeys.
Oh, ART – I was afraid something was wrong when your July post was not there. I’m SO GLAD that you are back and writing so many thoughtful and TRUE things we all need to hear. You know that all my prayers and good thoughts are directed to you and for your speedy recovery. Thank God for trucks !!! You have always had great trucks and I’m grateful for that and your ability to bounce back from all life’s troubles. Hang in there.
Love, Ruthie
Did you name Mayor Hayes after Lavon on Hart of Dixie? I love that show!
I am so sorry about your accident, sending prayers for quick healing in both body and mind. When I was a child my parents car was hit on my side and to this day I never pull out in traffic (even with a green light) before I check to see if anyone is coming. It never leaves you, that feeling that someone is going to hit you. It is one of the side effects of being in an accident, you never fully trust that people will obey the law such as stopping at a stop sign or red light. In Colorado running red lights and stop signs is an everyday occurrence so I wait.
So sweet. So true. So sad about your truck. Prayers for your healing.
I was T-boned on the drivers side by a train, yes a train in a small town in PA. No signs, bells, whistles, bars. Just driving to work on a regular morning. By the grace of God, a seat belt and an air bag I was not seriously hurt other than a back injury.
You just don’t ever know what life has in store for you!
I am sorry about your accident and will say a prayer for healing!
I am also so very sorry for the loss of cupcake as that is one sweet truck! I drive a pickup and love it!
Beautiful and well thought out article. It soothed my soul this morning. I got up before dawn and made my coffee and found your post in my mail. Wonderful. Thank you.
God Bless you Rebekah
I am so sorry to hear of this, I hope you are ok and healing. I look forward to your posts and admire your compassion for life and understanding of what’s truly important.
I find encouragement in you and a hope to one day follow more of my dreams and passion with your vindication.
I am praying for you right now and will continue to.
I have never been in a car accident, but many close people in my life have. (one was a terrible boating accident).
It really seems to play on your mind, thoughts, and emotions.
I pray that you heal both physically and also emotionally.
Please keep your faith and continue to push forward and be grateful for all things, good and bad.
All my best for you,
Denise
I needed to read this today, I needed the boost to get going and appreciate all the things that are around me in life. I can relate to so many of the examples you mention, I am sure that there are others that will respond. My cat Squirt can trip me up most all the time!!
Thanks for sharing your words and what was in your heart. Blessings, Zoe
Just what I needed to read at this very moment! Thank you! So very sorry about the accident, many prayers from me to you! I’m in the middle of a situation involving my daughters gymnastics team and a coach leaving last week, so the flexible part of the title made me chuckle! My daughter and I are able to handle this issue pretty well (unlike the others) by putting many things in perspective. And our family uses all of the ways you use. Just this morning after getting super annoyed with parents calling me for my opinions on what we’re doing over the gym matter I turned off my phone and went to my garden and pulled weeds (very angrily). After that with a clear head I was able to be a better help to them. And my garden looks better which makes me happy. Win-win!
You are right no one likes a complainer. That said I have been beat down by life more times than I can count. But that is life it is a rollercoaster ride. When things get really bad I try to remember what my dad said. “You know what success is? It’s getting up one more time than you fall down.” The other thing I find comforting is realizing that one must have patience with yourself and others. Things change that is one of life’s truths. It is no use fretting, try to make each day a good one even if you have to do it one minute at a time. Remain your positive self. Allow yourself time to heal. Things will get better.
P.S. I have been t -boned twice. It is not something I wish to repeat but I got through it and you will too. I have faith in that. I have read your posts for years and you don’t quit.
Best to you for your recovery. Was in an accident once, rearender. I never drive close to the vehicle in front of me. That’s a part of my past worth keeping I think.
Thank you for this piece of well written advice. I have been encouraged. Thank you
Sending love , good thoughts and prayers your way! I can really relate to what you have shared here.
Rodella
Pet the cat! Yes — I’ve been in accidents; hardly drove for a year after one and when I did I didn’t go over 35. I heartily agree about not dwelling on misfortune. Get up, dust yourself off, and get on with life. I had several years where everything bad happened. It got where I was daring life– “Bring it on — I can handle it!”. No matter how bad things got I lived through it. I have so much to be thankful for; life is good.
Oh, my dear, sweet, lady, I hope you are ok. Sorry that your truck isn’t but she served you well and with love, it would seem. I so, so agree with your assessment. Just getting up and moving through the everyday things of life is what keeps us alive in every aspect. Being grateful for it all, and paying it forward!
How wonderful to get your message. I’ve wondered if you EVER received a birthday card and a Mother’s Day card from me?…Also, I fretted about WHO cared for all the creatures when you “went out of town”. I did not write because I figured you would be working through challenges that were staring you in the face. I’m so pleased you stayed true to yourself and waded FORWARD, not WALLOWED backward! What a great model for all your friends! Thank you!
Sorry about your accident. Hope you are feeling better soon. Prayers for you and your passenger for healing and strength. By the way, I do not drink coffee either. I am strictly a tea lady.
Marilyn
So sorry to hear about Cupcake’s sad demise, but so glad you aren’t on the other side of the dirt, pushing up daisies! Automobile accidents are so scary. After being in one, I always remember it in slow motion.
Now for the post about tea…so glad you let your fingers take over. This post comes at a good time for me, you and probably many more. I know you have had some major changes in your life and not what you ever imagined. When life becomes a roller coaster ride, I try to climb into the front seat, throw my arms in the air and enjoy the ride! As for planning, I have gone from plan A to plan Z and back again, but have usually learned something along the way. These days I try to start and end each day with gratitude. It really helps set the tone for everything inbetween.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Ride that rollercoaster!
Sorry to hear of your trials–it is a mystery! But one day we will know … the clues are totally exposed for us to see. No more pain, tears, trials. Prayers for you and yours.
I think life is hard. There are lots of people struggling it seems.I always smile at others and it is wonderful when they smile back. Sometimes I might comment and ask someone how their day is going like a clerk or waitress. I always try to remember that others may have more troubles than I might. You are so right about getting out in nature. Somehow, things kind of melt away. I am so glad to hear that you and your passenger made it out Ok, thankfully your truck saved you.
My heart was touched tonight by your beautiful writing and your wise spirit. Thank you.
So sorry to hear about what happened with you and your beloved truck. I am hoping you and your friend have or will be making a full recovery. Had a Semi move over into my lane one time, hit my car in the front with his front set of wheels and then we served and he hit the back of my car with his back wheels. in the middle my sister and I were not touched, except I broke a finger nail! My Dad was driving behind us and witnessed the whole thing. to say we are thankful is an understatement, when as you know it could have been so much worse. once again, I hope you are healing in mind and body.
R.I.P. Cupcake. Is there no way to fix her? We are truck people. Love our Chevy’s. I actually have a van but she is used a lot like a truck when she is loaded down. My son has a pickup, which he loves. As for Mr. Hayes, I love him. We have one called Shadow and he also is under foot, in front of foot, right beside foot until he gets what he wants, usually a bowl of milk and some rubbings. He is our outside cat, lives in the garage and he came to us to live, one day a few years ago. I have 5 other cats in the house, 3 girls and 2 boys. One boy, Tyker, is always around my feet rubbing against me or in front of me or walking wherever I walk. My other little man is a foot cat too, but loves to rub himself against your feet, or bite your toes. I am a cat person and my son is a dog and cat person, in fact every cat we have in the house he has brought home to live with us, and the same for the dogs. Now for your recovery, you probably are feeling a lot better by the time you read this one, but I’ll say prayers for you anyway because I know about accidents; I have had two, one of my own making on a snow covered icy road and a too sharp turn on the wheel which sent me over a bank and into a tree. I was so bruised and hurt the next day because I had actually been thrown around inside the vehicle. The other one was a rear-ender by a lady who’s car had no brakes which hit us at a stoplight and we ended up hitting the vehicle in front of us so we kinda got slammed back to front and back again inside the vehicle. No broken bones in either one but badly bruised and sore for days. In both, there were no complaints about life. We were happy to be alive and able to walk away. I took it as a crossed off bucket list item. How to survive something you didn’t expect to happen. I still have a few more bucket list items to do, more pleasurable than these, like a train trip though mountainous areas with lakes, wild animals, deep forests and big blue skies; or winning the grand prize in a lottery and spending all the money on other people; or learning to paint like the masters or writing a novel that would inspire others to live a better life. Grand ideas and dreams. I love the way you look at life also. I have no regrets or complaints about my life but I have complained a lot about little things that people do or say or because of my own failure something that happens that was avoidable. Not for long. I realize life is so short for us humans and we should always be grateful for the time we have here and we should live it as best as we can with what we have and do for others as often as we can. My motto will be “Look on and for the bright side of every situation.” I am sure there is one.
Praying for you, Rebekah. That beautiful truck was a Godsend – and may He send you just the replacement you need when you need it. Everything you said was right on. Will pray for continued strength, peace and even joy.
My word Rebekah you’ve had a quite a time of late, I’m so so thankful you and your passenger survived such a huge accident. I really love reading your posts, always got a lesson in them with a happy uplifting vibe to them too. Btw I’m a tea drinker and am happy to have a chat over a virtual one anytime about all the yummy ones out there. I love chai but start the day with an English or Irish breakfast tea, with some lovely quiet time watching the sunlight awaken our yard with beautiful morning colours. Once I’ve had some quiet and ponder time then I begin my day prep. I always bookend my day with quiet.
I was in a rear ended accident back in ’99, permanent whiplash injury to my neck, but I determined to do as much as I can for as long as I can, yes I’ve had to make some adjustments but as you so rightly point out, we have to in life or life becomes a very hard place to be. I’m usually a very adaptable person so long as I get to keep some of my essential routines in place, if I don’t then I can become unstuck very fast.
But I keep on keeping on, keep dusting myself off and keep looking for the joy moments each day in the day. I keep a bit of a gratitude/blessings journal especially when my mood is heading down and it picks me up focusing on all the good things that I’m blessed with, and when i lost them, there are many and that shifts my mood quickly. Happy days and I hope that whatever you’ve suffered from this accident that it doesn’t steel the beautiful person you. Sending big hugs and big love to you
I really needed your message today. I am going to print it and keep it handy. I was in an awful wreck many years ago. At that time, I realized that life is a matter of seconds and centimeters and I will take and every blessed one I get. Every day above ground is a good day.
Many blessings!
Oh Rebekah! I’m so sorry to hear you were in an accident. But, I’m so very glad you are here to write and tell us about it and your path to recovery. Life is full of twists and turns and things that force to be ” bendy” even when we don’t particularity want too. A serious auto accident is life altering, but as you say the only way forward is through the crapola. If anyone can do it, it’s you. You’re encouraging others while you’re trying to get well yourself!
Classic Rebekah!
Sending healing wishes and light to you my dear farmgirl sister.
xox Deb
Hey Rebekah, what an inspiring post! It’s helping me to rethink my challenges. I always enjoy what you write about, or should I say how you see the good in everyday stuff.
I will add that I was in a car accident when I was 15 and a bit wild. I went through the windshield and was thrown out of the car. I have scars on my face but they don’t stop me from smiling. I heard a great Christian song about thanking God for the scars in our life. It’s helped me to have compassion for others.
Thank you for wisdom.
I find myself at times, Malden over what life handed me. I feel lonely, abandoned, and thrown away. However, living in the above offers me no peace nor adventure. Of those two, adventure is the best
Each morning my two small dogs rush outside into the backyard. They run from corner to corner and up the hill. Have they seen it all before? Yes. But do they let that stop them? No. They live with the hope that there will be change. Something new and exciting.
I decided to follow their lead putting my preconceived ideas out of my mind. There is a whole plethora of new things to focus on. Where there are spent blooms on rose bushes, new buds are forming and will soon produce a riot of fresh color. On the ground ants hurry gathering microscopic things. Even the beetle lumbering along is busy.
Why do we humans perceive the world as devoid of activities as we fall into a funk? We have lost the God given road to happiness.
That happiness is all around us, everywhere. We just need to look with new eyes each days. If we are always looking back at yesterday, we miss the blessings of today and tomorrow. Yesterday is over never to return. Today is all we have. Do not allow yesterday to color today. Do not allow today to ruin tomorrow. For today find twenty new things you have neglected to notice. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. But today is all ours to enjoy. Seek the beauty of today. Forget yesterday and dreams of tomorrow. Live right now. Find peace right now. See the beauty God created just for today. You’ll enjoy a full and contented life by living for right now, this moment, before it becomes a memory. Susie Heller
This email is for City-Turned-Country Farmgirl Rebekah Teal: When I receive MaryJanes Farm magazine I always turn first to Rebekah Teal’s article. I was so saddened when I had read that her husband had had a heart attack – was it just last year? And now I just read she is going thru another hard year. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Rebekah. You are a strong gal and even though you’v been through much, I know you’ll come out stronger and shinning. I know all of your readers feel the same. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Julia