Author Archives: Shery Jespersen

My Old Cubby

My Shabby Cubby Project, by Shery JespersenWhen I was a wee lassie, I thought it completely normal that each day would begin with a trip to the local dump. I spent much of my early childhood in my Grampa’s shadow and nearly every day, weather permitting, we went to the dump on a scavenger hunt. He and Gramma grew up in the homestead era and then spent much of their adult life just trying to get by. Gramma waited 5 long years for her true love to come home from WWI. They began their life together scratching out a living as ranchers. Before they were wed, Grampa told her that he could afford either a new Hamley saddle or a wedding ring, but not both. My Gramma, then his young, auburn haired bride was ranch savvy and she chose the saddle! As young adults, they faced very tough times…the Great Depression, The Dirty 30s, and WWII. As a result, they became members of what is now referred to as ‘The Greatest Generation’. They were people who enjoyed life even in the midst of doing without most, if not all, of life’s luxuries.

By the time I was old enough to hang out with my Grandfather (1960s), he was well into retirement. He was very active though and loved building and fixing things. That is where the city dump came in…

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Cowgirl Up

Autumn in the western states, specifically on cattle ranches involves what is commonly referred to as ‘Fallwork’ – one word. Ranching, like all agriculture, revolves around the seasons. For ranchers on the northern plains, autumn is less about colorful leaves and more about golden grass. The prairie is busy getting ready to close up shop for the coming winter and the rancher has a long list of chores to do in preparation for the changing out of seasons.

Cowgirls: Cowboys come in all shapes and sizes
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The Art of Bartering

Farmgirls have long known that bartering is an effective means to an end. Trading goods for fun or in business fosters pleasant relations, trust and a healthy kind of pride in offering up what you have to trade. Money isn’t necessary in a trading transaction.

Bartering was the norm long before money was invented…

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Cowgirl Muse News

Like so many farmgirls, I experienced the feeling of “coming home” when I recently discovered the wonderful world of MaryJanesFarm. So many things I could relate to … then came the adjacent acreage in the area of “common ground.” Inspiration on many fronts quickly followed suit. MaryJane fast became this cowgirl-farmgirl’s muse. As you may know, the Muses were nine spirit sisters of Greek myth, each one presiding over and inspiring the arts and science. Musing is an extension of the word, referring to creative thought that may fuel great ideas or inspire poetic prose. In either case, I felt the word and its many applications fit my mission to a T.

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