Thanks for sharing that story! It gives me great inspiration to hold fast to my dream of some day owning my own little patch of farm ground where I can have a few horses of my own. Somehow I have faith that the day will come, I just pray that I am not too old to appreciate it when it happens. Thanks again, beautiful!

Shery,
What a beautiful gift you gave yourself! I love your message…about holding on to "old" dreams…I guess some dreams have to float around out in the ether’s for a while before they come home to roost! 🙂
I too have faith that one day my horses are out there waiting for me to arrive at just the right time for them! Did I mention that at least one of them is a Golden Palomino?

Deb ( who hears bare-foot horse hooves in her dreams )

Sheri,
Your sharing is such a blessing.
hugz

Congrats on your little miracle. She is beautiful.

She is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your blessing with us. I love reading your blogs. You always inspire me so much!

Hi all you farmgirls, I just wanted to let YOU know how much YOU inspire ME. It is so thoughtful of you to take the time to leave comments and I love reading about YOUR lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by to visit and for your private emails also. Shery J

Shery, your writing makes me weep. I think all farmgirls have felt what you have so magnificently put to pen. Thanks for the inspiration!

Good Day
I just came in from going to look at a horse that I am considering purchasing…I am looking to buy my first horse at 51 years old. She is a Tennessee walker. I will be going back after lunch to ride her and see if we are a good match. Your story and testimony brought tears to my eyes and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing. God Bless you…I see He already has

Sherry, Dreams do come true because God is good. You also learned the beauty of EVERY horse in your care. They are ALL special. Happy Trails. Bonnie

Shery, That was beautiful and reminded me that dreaming "out of the box…or stall" is norm for us "farm" types…and needs to continue. She is a beaut for certain. Reminded me of my own Bluebell of many moons back. Thanks for taking time to introduce us all to Ribbon and to your faith in the unknown. You rock…as my granddaughter says.

Shery,
This blog entry came at a perfect time for me. I just came home yesterday from a horsemanship retreat. I don’t own horses yet but it is a childhood dream I am working on fulfilling. The most amazing time for me came a few days ago during my first experience in the round pen. I did the "horse whispering thing" and when the horse looked at me with both eyes and then I turned and could hear his footsteps behind me I was nearly moved to tears. It was amazing! Thank you for your inspiring entries in this blog. I love every one of them.

What an amazing story! You will never know how much you helped me when I read that. I was all but ready to give up on a dream I have had and now I have a renewed faith and I am not going to give up. Thanks for the reminder that it is God’s timing for some things to happen.

Sherry,
Thank you for sharing this lovely story of almost lost dreams. The foal is amazingly beautiful!
My dream for years, though almost forgotten, buried, let go…has been reborn. A log home! This dream is coming true in the midst of a 25 year marriage that my husband has decided to bring to an end. It is my earthly father who is making this possible, thus bringing my dream to life and my precious Heavenly Father, who has never left me nor forsaken me, that is whispering in my ear that I am loved.

Blessings,
Tracy

Thank you for the wonderful story. And congratulations on your girls. I just know she will be all you dreamed for and more. Our Father always outdoes our dreams. I am a former Morgan horse breeder and trainer. Where I live has turned into a resort town and all of the farms are being developed and the farmers leaving because they can’t afford the taxes. We had to let our farm go because it was on the ski mountain and the taxes were out of site. We leased a place for a while and I studied dressage and still trained horses. Now at age 65 and my husband 70, I don’t believe we will be starting over again. But I know I had the best – my dream horse was a dark horse with light mane and tail. I found it when I bought a 6 month old colt, the grandson of Jubilee King. He turned out to be a dark chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail and the best horse ever – more than I had dreamed for.

Dear Shery,
Today I read your blog for the lst time…I’m new to Mary Jane’s Farm, but not new to being and loving being a farmgirl. My very lst horse and the love of my life was Captain Fox, a government bred Morgan who lived to be 39 years old. I thought all horses were like Captain, until I owned a number of them through the years and loved them all, but never quite found one who measured up to dear Captain. Life happened and we had to be city/suburb folks for a number of years and I never thought I’d see life on a farm again. God was good though, and we had a great life, but then, suddenly, life happened again and we made a move, my husband made a job change and we ended up on a farm again! God outdid Himself this time, as it’s just such a special place…we call it Full Circle Farm, because we’ve come full circle in our lifestyle, and in so very many other amazing ways. Anyways, on the note of Captain….I began giving riding lessons here at Full Circle, and we have 11 horses, all of them oh, so special. There’s a mare, Sassy, who we acquired, and she was to be a school horse. She did well for awhile, but then began to balk and fuss and buck and I knew she’d not make a school horse. I pulled her from my program and began to work with her myself. She’s a buckskin and dappled and just so gorgeous, and…"sassy"! Little did I know that she would become "that horse"!! I would have never known it, had she not started acting up and letting me know she wanted to be a "mama’s girl" only. Now, we are so bonded, it’s not funny. I turned 57 this year, and God has given me this special girl with our special relationship…total trust in each other and knitted hearts…full circle, like the Captain and I once were. How merciful of our Lord to do this for me, after all these years! I love all of our horses, but He gave me a reason not to feel too guilty for keeping one out just for me! I’m going to love your blogs! Bless u and thanks so much!

This city girl is just "plain" jealous!

Sounds like a fabulous evening…and the recipe for chocolate chip pumpkin bread is forthcoming, yes???

Yeppers…on the recipes. Just waiting to hear back from Michele. Shery J

What a fun group. Michele has a beautiful home. I feel like I was there with all your beautiful photos. So glad you gals had such a great time. I think I need to start a farm gals group where I live!

The photos, gorgeous!

Shery,
I love to read your blog. I am working hard to become a Ranch Farmgirl myself. Two years ago I bought my own piece of heaven in Wyoming…40 acres of potential for me to pour my heart and soul into. For now I’m stuck in Florida with a condo that won’t sell but your blog keeps me going and fuels my dreams. Thank you.

Shery,
I so enjoyed your blog and the photos are absolutely gorgeous, just like it always is in the west! I am still in the city but I feel like a "part" even though I do not have a farm of my own yet. Mary Jane is right, "farmgirl is a condition of the heart." Thanks for sharing.
Reba

I want to live in Wyoming and be in your chapter!!! please!!! I want to ride a horse rounding up cattle and pack iron and shoot at varmits!!! Seriously…I so enjoy your blog I finally decided to let you know. I too have a new chapter here in California…YES THERE ARE STILL FARMGIRLS IN CALIFORNIA…and they are blessing my life every time I turn around. You said it all so beautifully.

Oh My gosh, the bike is awesome… there are lots of goodies. I love it and it is so awesome that you brought it into your home!!!!

Shery, what a wonderful peek into your life! Michele is indeed very talented. Thanks so much for sharing your terrific photos of her skills. It warms my heart to see something like a bicycle decorated and hung as art. What courage! Being a city dweller, very disconnected from like souls, I have raised many an eyebrow when visitors see a family pitchfork used as a kitchen curtain rod or a manure fork decorated with silk flowers as a wall display. lol

Your china is beautiful 🙂 I think you just inspired me to start a new collection!!

In answer to those who have written and asked if the photos I use are my own…Yes, they are. I’m not a ‘real’ photographer, but I sure do enjoy it as a hobby. I have a Sony Alpha 100 DSLR and I bought a zoom lens and a wide angle lens to play with.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your kind comments. I love hearing from you and about the details in your own ‘farmgirl’ lifestyle whatever it may be! Happy Trails, Shery Jespersen

For a brief moment, I wish I lived over in your neck of the woods…but then remembered that cold white stuff followed by winds! Did I mention, I HATE Wind!!! lol!
I luv your "friendships are like compost in the Garden of life – they help us grow"….
hugz,
>^..^<

Gosh, Sherry. I wish I lived in your neck of the woods. That group of gals sounds mighty fun. Farmgirls do have fun wherever they are. I love your positive outlook. Happy Valentine’s day, Bonnie

How wonderful this sounds. I moved into the area we live a couple of years ago and left most of my long long time friends an hour south. I would love to know enough women in my new neck of the woods to do something like this. I would love to have all my new blog friends I have made in the last few months all together in one spot. How much more we could learn from each other.

Hi Shery!
What a delightful topic! I know exactly what you mean about looking at your friendships old and new in a different way since Mary Janes Farm came into your life… I have had this same revelation! I have been playing in the Farmyard Connection with my new farmgirl sister’s for the last 2 weeks and it is just such a nice warm place… all the gals are so friendly and supportive of everyone’s "farmgirl dreams" no matter how big or small…
I vowed to myself that in 2010 I would round up my own " off -line "farmgirl friends" to play with whether it be,gardening, swapping recipe’s,talking chickens, home schooling, art or making new friends at our local horse rescue! I have a few that fit the bill, we just need to make it official. Perhaps with spring just around the corner we’ll have spring fever meeting where everyone brings there favorite seed and garden catalogues and we begin the planning for " new gardens to come "! You and your words on "farmgirl fellowship" have inspired me to not get lazy about this resolution! I have been part of another kind of sisterhood for twenty years that brings me great joy. I have " beach sisters"! Women who are my neighbors and friends in a small beach community of seasonal summer cottages. These tried and true friendships are such blessings.. Now,I just need to find me some gals with "farmgirl fever" to carry me through the rest of the year once my flip flops have been hung out to dry!
Thanks again for such a great post!

as always… love love love the photo’s!!!

Deb~ Pat some horse necks for me o.k.?

Oh Shery! I just had to say how much I LOVE this post! And girlfriend, yes! You are a REAL photographer! Beautiful!

Dear Shery,

Just when I was feeling "lonely" your writing inspired me to reach out to others. Thanks for the nudge. So appreciate you, your sharing, your photos and your amazing contribution to us women out here. Thank you so much. Terces

Hi Shery,I loved the stories and awesome pictures,like the other girls,and I am so thankful I found you today, because I have been feeling misplaced and I will try to gather up a few of my friend’s to have some fun, absolutley! Thank you, and I will read your blog with anticipation. :c

I really enjoyed reading your blog today. I hope to live on a ranch someday soon. And reading about you helps me reach for the stars. Thank you. BTW Great pictures. I especially like the one of you.

Nice. These are thoughts I will take with me as I move through my day. (I especially LOVE the truck.) What a dad!
Have a wonderful day Shery.
Marilyn

Shery…how blessed you are to still have your folks. I almost envy you and to have them close by.
Yes riding a horse is "one" of God’s blessings to us. Another is our animals. Whether they are for raising to provide food or just there for our "comfort".
Thank you for reminding us of our "garden" in our lives especially this time of year when it is cold and windy and not a lot of sun out.
May you walk in the path God has for you.
Ann
John 3:16

Dear Shery,

You are so right! Love and goodness are all around us. Sometimes we focus on love looking a certain way, sometimes we think it should come in a green bottle, but it’s coming to us in a yellow box! I think you know what I mean, our pre-conceived notions of something can prevent us from recognizing the real deal. My life is full with a loving family….my husband, my two WONDERFUL daughters, my pets, the great outdoors I enjoy here in Kentucky and all the abundance I enjoy on a daily basis….and some chocolate never hurts either! You live a life I admire so much. I lived out West twelve years ago and always felt such joy when I was on the back of a horse! My fondest memories are of the Rocky Mountains. I think ranch people are the salt of the earth…and that means you, my dear! I love your blog! Happy Valentine’s Day to all the ladies out there that hold true to what matters in this life….LOVE!

Shery, You’re so lucky to still have your mom,she is a pretty lady,and your daddy a handsome man.Your right, I forget to count my blessings everyday. Happy Valentines, blessed be, Carol Branum themofarmersdaughter@blogspot.com

Hi Shery,
Love your blog, love your pictures. Wow, what a truck! You are very lucky to be surrounded by things you love.

The old truck and the vintage tablecloths are my passion.
I only have the tablecloths but I am happy for your Dad
and you with the truck. Your ranch looks beautiful!

Love your blog. Shery, I also love your stories and pictures. Thank you so much for sharing. From a Virginia Country Girl.

Thank You Shery, for reminding me that after the snow and cold will come the flowers and new born calves. I look forward to each and appreciate all that god gives us. I to enjoy the many hours spent working with my valentine and am thankful he is in my life. Happy Valentines Day Shery.

Julie

Just this month I discovered Mary Jane Magazine and it had such a calming effect I decided to check out the web site. Love your photos Sheri and what a great story about your grandparents. I too love to hunt out special finds at second-hand stores, garage sales, antique shops etc. It’s not about the bargain, but the story I know is hidden behind my treasure!

Since I was a child my love of animals and nature has stayed with me and kept me going. After decades of city living and raising daughters I have been able to restart my country life and reclaim my love of horses though I have always had dogs, never a day without them. I now ride, show and breed Rocky Mountain horses and as always when with nature I feel free in the spirit again. We now have chickens, miniature donkeys, one who is due to deliver any day and the new baby will be starting its life journey with us. This picture of life renewing life is one of country life’s biggest gifts. My life has renewed me spiritually and has been the culmination of my life dreams to come back to simpler, greener life filled with animals. You can take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl. One of the greatest gifts this life has given me is allowing my beloved grandchildren to have animals be a part of their life also. It is great to live in the country and still have access to the city where my grandchildren live. I am truly blessed by God.

Beautiful pictures!! I love the cold as long as it is not wet. I do like your cat, speed-scooch backwards. And in the South, usually what we have is "wet" cold!! When we have snow, everything closes. If there is a hint of snow, schools begin closing. NO one knows how to travel in the snow here. I visited Austria at Christmas one year with my daughter. It was so-o-o much fun. We did the Sound of Music tour by bus (with several feet of snow on the ground), traveled all around Salzburg, and enjoyed the sights of ice skaters. In Vienna the parents were out with their carriages, plastic over the children, but nevertheless all were out to enjoy Christmas festivities. It was soooo much fun. I don’t like being closed up indoors. This is quiet possibly why we hear "flu season" or "cold season." I’m not buying it. I’m layering and going outdoors!!

I love the beautiful pictures. Wyoming is one of my favorite places to visit. I would live there if my husband liked cold weather. He would be like your cat. I have music by David Walburn. He sings about Montana and this time of year being the time "to have a little fun" because "meats in the freezer, let’s go skiing." Thanks for the pictures that you post. They make me dream of going back.

I am loving loving these fotos of yours! Like getting postcards from far away!

Just wanted to say that I enjoyed your blog and the pictures! I myself am not a stranger to long and cold winters. Being from Alaska, where it is winter about seven months out of the year; I commiserate with you.

I loved seeing the picture the fluffy and frosty horse. It reminded me of my horse "Jewel" that I had growing up. How soft her fur against my face as I rubbed it in to her neck to keep my nose warm, and that warm wild smell that can only be truly appreciated be a girl with a horse.

Loved the pictures. Thanks for sharing.

My husband grew up near the Canadian border in upstate NY so is OVER winter and doesn’t even talk much about it amazing beauty, although he loves the out of doors! I on the other hand, love winter, and have only spent a few years of my life living where there really is a winter. Here in California, winter doesn’t bring us all those beautiful sights you shared, and there is clearly a changing of the seasons and a turning inward. We live in a yurt and when all the flaps are down on the windows it is clearly an indoor cabin lifestyle, with a wood stove going. I keep telling myself I will sit and read yet still the chores of farm life, being we can grow food year around here, keep me out of doors! Thanks so much for sharing, what a beautiful life you live. How fortunate are we all?
Love, Terces

Thanks so much for the posting, love the pictures as well. Lovely thoughts about appreciating each season.

It gets windy here in the *Thumb* area of Michigan they say we are a good area for the big wind mills for the wind we get. I understand finding winter beautiful but hate the wind. My dad likes feeding the birds but since he is unable to get out and do that anymore I feed them, but not as regular as he did. Boy when the feeders are empty you hardly see any birds but once they are filled every bird in the tri-county are at those feeders it seems…lol.

Keep warm.

Ditto to the photos. So beautiful. While I am not a fan of cold weather, ironically some of my favorite art work is of winter scenes, go figure. Winter to me is best enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee from a cozy seat by a large roaring fireplace positioned perfectly to view the snowy beauty of nature out a large picture window.

Thank you Shery for sharing your wonderful pictures! I live in Ky~we get a few flakes of snow now and then. Mostly rain~I am a sunshine person & a horse lover. I have always lived on a farm & love it. Have been to WY several times in the summer & Love the scenery. Have a happy blessed day~you have brightened my day! Ellen

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up! And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! 🙂

I enjoy your site and I have bookmarked it, Kind Regards

Bernice Johanson

OMG- this is my year all the time. My parents made it UNFORGETTABLE! SO i have huge Christmas Stress that I induce on myself. While I have toned it down a bit, as the kids are now 15 and 19, I was still baking cookies before my daughter went to school this morning. The candy was done, but pep band, finals etc had prevented cookies from being baked. My daughter’s teachers truly deserve a sweet treat in appreciation for all their caring. They used to get delivered on hand-painted plates . Now to finish that quilt before next Thursday afternoon.

I love the beauty of your prose and your eye for detail in nature. I am doing a little bit of the same idea in a blog, too. But I have to say that yours is an exquisite model to use as a pattern! Love the grogg recipe! I will be making some this holiday season.

The rule in our house was that no one could find what Santa had put in the stocking that was delivered to our bedroom door until it was six o’clock am.

I was not a good sleeper on Christmas Eve..or even in the wee hours of Christmas morning. I have no idea how Santa managed to get the jingling stocking propped up against my door without getting caught at it.

What I did on one such sleepless overnight was to go frequently into the bathroom where my father always hung his prized Hamilton watch (awarded on his 25th year in his business) on a hook on the door jamb. I could tip the face of the watch to see if it was six o’clock yet. I did this. Often. All night long. BUT at about four am I managed to unhook that watch when I tipped it to see, and it smashed on the tile floor.

This was a disaster. Really a disaster. I cried, standing there, cried with grief and shame and true misery. I was not afraid of my father, but I was afraid of the loss of the watch for my father. It was, as far as I knew, his most prized possession. And I had ruined it. Smashed to pieces.

I couldn’t stand it. I went in at that early hour and awakened my father, burst into tears, confessed my terrible act, buried myself in his arms and sobbed out my sorrows.

I am sure it took a long while for my sleepy parents to figure out what to do with this inauspicious beginning of our happy day. But they figured it out. I saw the new watch-face and hands going around as they should in the next few days, to my enormous relief.

I have no idea what I got that Christmas, other than a whole lot of love.

Susan

You reminded me of so many great holdays at home. My mom always made Christmas so special.I have many great memories. Thanks

The author of rfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org has written an excellent article. You have made your point and there is not much to argue about. It is like the following universal truth that you can not argue with: If you take life too seriously, life will start to take you seriously. Thanks for the info.

Your blogs about your ranch life are very interesting. My husband and I are from a PA farm background. (We met on a Farmall M tractor!) We were grain farmers and can relate to much you share…so glad to learn more. Keep it up.

This is interesting but I for one do not know anything about the west really, I’m a north-easterner, nor do I know much about any kind of cattle besides dairy cows. Could you provide info that describes what the pictures are showing? Which horse is Harley? etc. Your photography is great and I enjoy looking @ your pictures, & reading what you have written, but this latest blog doesn’t grab me because I know so little. The stuff you written about your grandfather is so real & brings back my grandpa.

What beautiful photo’s. My grandpa was a cattle rancher in Decatur, Texas for most of his life. We visited the ranch once while I was growing up, but the cows were out to pasture. We saw nothing of his actual "operation"… but being a Texan, he was full of stories. He always used the nickname heifer for his female grandchildren and my granny too sometimes! It was definitely in his blood. He ranched until his late 70’s then he finally retired. I’m a western girl born in Texas, raised in Nevada, transplanted in New England and I just love your blog… Your pix are like little shots from home that warm me up when I look at them… I enjoy your writing as well! Keep sharing your wonderful way of life…It is a great reminder to us all that our food does not just " appear" wrapped up nice and neat at our local meat counter ready for our choosing. Cattle ranching looks like hard work, but it’s easy to see, there is joy in if for you!

Thank you for explaining it all. I wish you Happy Trails also and a great holiday season. The expression Happy Trails sounds so Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Is that where that expression came from or is it in general use?

I was referred to your website via twitter. I’m glad I was referred; it’s been an enjoying read. This post reminds me of a recent quote I read- "No matter how much horsepower your truck has it still can’t cut a calf from the herd."

Wow what beautiful pics. For a native Tarheel (NC) it’s really nice to get a peek into your life out west.

Thank you, Shery, for your wise words this morning. It is my day off from work and your words reminded me of a field trip in the country that I have wanted to do for quite some time and had forgotten about. Today is the day!! Thank you so much and God Bless.

WOW, I have only recently started receiving all the blogs and find myself so appreciating all the sharing. We live on 21 acres and are currently in a yurt with an outdoor bath house, outdoor kitchen and a composting toilet. We gather around the fire each morning for breakfast, the crew and my husband and I and again at lunch and once more for supper. I always find myself marveling at the simplest of things. Morning dew, fire heat, hummingbirds, flowers…and yet due to our city life, where we are the owners of 6 restaurants (all use the produce we grow on the farm), so many people ask me "do you like living this simply?" … I notice I NEVER ask myself that question, instead I find myself often asking, "what was it that sent us all indoors?" Thanks for putting beautiful words to such dear things in life. I am starting to save the hair from my brush TODAY! Gratefully, Terces

You are so right about this and good to remind us! One thing I love about getting out of the ‘burbs is seeing the SKY, which (along with a good beach) is my favorite, endlessly changing thing to look at.

I appreciate the words of wisdom. I love nature, especially in the mountains. My family and I are nature lovers and relationship lovers, the things that last. Have a blessed day.

This is such a beautiful gift that was given to you be your grandfather, this is one of the reasons we make it a point to include our family in almost everything.
I really have enjoyed reading your blog! I hope that you have a very Blessed Holiday Season.
-Amy

I so enjoy your posts! They make me miss my ‘cowgirl’ days of riding and feeling the wind in my hair. I look forward to more of your posts and wish you many blessings this holiday season.

I love junktiquing and finding ways to create a "new" use for items that have been discarded. It brings a sense of accomplishment and creativity to my life. It also allows me to put my own personality into the way something looks making it unique and one of a kind.

Yay for wonderful make-do projects and thinking too! You were fortunate to be able to soak up " that way of living" with time spent with your grandparents…
I like to think it is a wonderful way of honoring your creativity while being resourceful. Not to mention very satisfying and easy on planet to boot.
Love your cubby project! 🙂
I hope you will show more in future posts!
Happy Creating~
Debbie

Your grandparents story reminds me of my 25th wedding anniversary present. I wanted and got a roto-tiller(not sure I spelled it right). Its those little things that count!!

What wonderful memories you have of your grandparents. We could all learn lessons from them. Love your "shabby cubby". I love searching for treasures at thrift stores and flea markets too. Thanks for sharing your memories.

That old wall chest is too cute! You are very talented. It makes me feel better in my quest of old "junk" that others see the beauty in "old stuff". I have a hard time buying new and prefer something with a little "history". My Father also liked to "fix it up".

Thank you for sharing. Heidi

Hi Shery,

Your cubby is adorable and your horse is a beauty. You are a lucky woman!

I loved your "dump days with Grandpa" story! When my husband and I married 37 years ago, we would go to the dump periodically and search for treasures. I found a small 2 drawer chest. I use it in my sewing room all the time and I will never get rid of it. It reminds me where I came from, very humble beginnings: growing up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania, and makes me grateful for all I have now. I live on 1 1/4 acres in a small community in Texas, just southwest of Dallas. My husband and I have moved many, many times in our 37 years together, and this is our last home and it’s as close to country as we can get, considering where we live now.

Ooh, I love your Shabby Cubby! I remember going dump scrounging with my father once a long time ago when I was very little, in the San Francisco Bay Area (this would have been during the early 70’s). I don’t do that anymore, but I am an avid Freecycler – I hate to throw away perfectly good stuff that someone else might be able to use. By the same token, I have gotten all kinds of useful stuff from fellow Freecyclers. When we lived in Ohio, I was even known to stop and pull things off of people’s trash piles that they’d put out for the garbage truck, take them home, and try to find them new homes through Freecycle. I just hate to see a perfectly good piece of furniture or whatever end up in the landfill when all it needs is a little TLC to be beautiful and useful again. Unfortunately, this drives my husband up a wall. Where I see potential, he only sees junk. He would rather throw something out and go buy a new one than try to find a way to salvage the old one. Now that the economy is so awful, and our financial situation is much more precarious than it had been in the past, I am even more adamant about using the last drop of something, or repairing things or fixing them up instead of just going and buying new. I find it very frustrating, but I guess it’s partly because I’ve been thinking about this issue longer – both the environmental implications of our over-consumerist, throw-away culture, and also the social and economic implications. Our entire economy and society are built on convincing people to buy things they don’t really need, even if they have to go into debt to afford them. What if people stopped buying all this stuff? What if people stopped buying into the idea that they have to buy all this stuff, that new is better, that it’s perfectly acceptable for an appliance you spent good money on to stop working and have to be replaced after a couple of years because it can’t be repaired? What if we took back our financial health and our power, and stopped being slaves to the consumer culture? I’m sure this is the kind of thing that gives CEOs nightmares, but sadly, my experience to date suggests they have nothing to fear – the consumer habit is an extremely difficult one to kick, and most people don’t even realize it’s a problem. When even my own husband looks at me like I’ve got three heads because I brought home a gorgeous antique end table made of solid wood that just needs a little refinishing and TLC, I know we’ve got our work cut out for us. Spread the good word, sister! I’d love to hear about some of your other finds and projects!

WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY !! IT REMINDS ME SOME OF MY CHILDHOOD IN NEBRASKA. ISN’T IT WONDERFUL SOME OF US ARE WANTING TO GO BACK AND RECYCLE, AND RE-USE EVERYTHING WE CAN GET OUR HANDS ON. WASTE NOT, BECAUSE THE OLD CAN BE NEW AGAIN. AHHH, ISN’T LIFE REALLY GRAND.

Oh Shery,
I LOVE your grandparents…for the wonderful values they gave & shared with you.
Re-purposing old discarded items is so gratifying.
I too love to go "junktiquing" especialy at 2nd hand stores….and two things I always keep in mind..
1. Spray paint is your friend….
2. Show No Fear!
It’s amazing what we can do when we roll up our sleeves, dig in and have fun!
Your cubby turned our beyond cute!
So, what are you working on now? after all, it’s snowing over here so I am guessing it’s probably snowing where you are too! Perfect time for indoor projects!
farmgirl hugz
>^..^<

Your story brings back wonderful memories for me. My grandma used to take me "dumpster diving". We would go down to the shopping center and find treasures in the dumpsters. It was wonderful fun! She decorated her house with many of these finds. Your grampa reminds me so much of my father-in-law. He was always making things out of stuff laying around in the garage or wherever. He also fixed things rather than buying new. My kids loved the stuff he made better than anything from the store. These are the the kinds of things that make life so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing.

Sherry: Your Cubby is adorable. Good job. Our most precious moments are spent with love.

Bonnie

Sherry- I like the cubby! It’s so nice to read that others are trying to "make do" and renovate rather than buying something. I always feel like I’m the only one that thinks this way! I, too, wash plastic bags and re-use them and use our old, damaged clothes to make quilts or dog beds. Frankly, I love the sense of self sufficiency!

Hi Sherry!

Your blog is great. I am a newcomer to your site. In Alaska we called it "dumpster diving". The ‘open’ dump in our town closed about 25 years ago to be replaced by a baler system – no chance for exploration unless you looked in the dumpsters located at the harbor or someplace with common access. BUT when I was a girl we lived on a ranch in the high desert in eastern Oregon and guess what? We lived ‘out by the dump’. And the dump was a good old-fashioned dump. Just kind of out in the middle of nowhere and you drove around in a circle and threw out whatever you wanted and could also walk around and take your pick of things to bring home. The climate was so dry it wasn’t icky really – things just kind of dried up and blew around. On one spot on our property there was an old dump all covered over from years of erosion and wind. We spent hours looking through rusted cans and pottery shards. Then it was ‘discovered’ by outsiders looking for bottles, etc. and it became a real issue as they would come in and set up large screens to dig and sift – range archeologists! (kind of). Unfortunately they would cut fences to get in and since it was a ways from the house we never knew what was going on until too late and cattle were out. We actually had to patrol that section regularly to keep the fences up and repaired and the cows in. What a deal – but wow – you bring back great memories. Thanks! I’ll stay tuned.

I too remember going to the dump with my Grandpa in Idaho in the 1960’s. The ride in his old pickup was always full of anticipation about what we might find on the way to the dump and glee over what we had found on the way home! I remember these outings much more fondly than just about any other shopping trip I’ve ever taken! Thanks for reminding me about finding the beauty in things that are cast off.

Love your story. When I was a kid my grandpa owned the town dump! I think recycling is way more creative than just buying new and sometimes you end up with projects way better than the new ones. For example, I was in need of a new faucet for my kitchen sink. I found a "new" one at a flea market, it really was unused in the box, but about 30 years old and priced at 10 bucks. I brought it home and my husband installed it, but it didn’t really fit, the base was smaller than the old one and the hole showed on the top of the sink. So my husband got the idea to cut a piece of sheet copper in an oval shape and place it under the new base. It looks great and everybody who sees it thinks it’s a custom sink. It is! I just love making do.

Dear Shery,
I love to read your stories. They give me hope. Frugality is spoken about as if it is a modern day sin. I must say that my family falls below the federal poverty level, but I have this little computer (pocketbook), and a roof over my head, land, and love. I have all that one needs to survive. I have been modifying my clothes to make them look ‘modern’. I am frugal. I thank God that he blessed me with the talent to sew. I have began a huge endeavor to start my own sewing business and selling produce. People love my jalapeno chili and salsa, and my sewing. Now, why not make money? Your stories gives me hope. I see your cubby and you inspire me that this frugality is truly art. Who else can see beauty in someone else’s trash? Thank you for inspiration. I AM GOING TO GO FORWARD with my business, and restyle and alter and sew old into new. I will bring out the beauty in someone else’s discards!! Thank you for helping me see the art in my business. I have NEVER thought of myself as artistic, and am far away from the Martha Stewart type crafts, but I know I can sew well, and can bring out a good business. Now I am ready to look forward to writing a business plan. I live on an acre of land, how can I be poor? Sometimes people give wrong titles to poverty and richness. I feel like I am the richest person in the world to have land!!!! My husband and I are planting our seeds for the future, figuratively and literally. I get inspired each time I read your stories. Keep us motivated!!
Su lectora loyal,
Your loyal reader,
Carolina

For someone who lives in a midwesttern area of the nation, this sounds like a whole nuther world. The close’st I ever got to a cowboy, was an uncle who wandered the west moving his family every two years or so. We never knew where he would show up next. But he had wonderful stories! And to be a cowgirl or to live on a ranch sounds like a lot of work! But having five sons, I often wished they could have been raised up out west on the backs of horses, learning how to really grab hold of life! Keep on writing, you have a fan in me,and I am up for an adventure even if it only consists of words on the blue screen! Thanks!

I just love your writing and the great pics that go with it.Makes me feel like I am there.I am a frustrated cowgirl with no ranch so for now I will live vicariously through your writings.Thank you.

Thank you for letting me "see" life as a cowgirl, and "hear" the reality of it instead of idealism. Attitude is the glue that makes any job worth doing. And what an awesome way to do the job. None better than with a ride from such a beautiful animal–your horse.

Great article. It really put me out there with you. In fact, I wish I were there, just not when it gets cold, wet or blustery. vbg

I love your writing!! I feel as if I’m right there. I am on a farm in OH and I know what fallwork is here. Harvesting, shearing, putting the land to bed, and making sure I have enough hay. You keep up the joyous work cowgirl.
Patty

We always have a rule here on our farm/ranch…
#1. Animals die
#2. Can’t change rule #1.
It’s what life is made of.
We start the road to our death on the day of our birth.
But we try to pack as much fun and love in the middle.

I’m new to blogging and being a blogger. I hope it is ok to add my own comment here. I would like to thank ALL of you, new friends and old for your kind words and encouragement. I can’t express how good it makes me feel to know my writing is worthy of your time. Happy Trails to you all and thank you for tuning in.
Shery, the MJF Ranch Farmgirl (‘shery on the prairie’)

Shery,You know I love your pictures and your writing is exceptional. Thanks for taking me along. ONe day I hope to actually get out to meet you and your great Morgans….Keep up the blogging you’re a natural 🙂

Great post Sherry! Thank you!

Hi Shery –

I can totally identify with the cowgirl up mentality! As kids, we were workers, and riders, and chefs in one afternoon! We were wherever we were needed and it was one of the best jobs in the world! You can ride some of the most beautiful country in the world, work cattle, and feed your helpers without missing a step. Wonderful memories! I think it also shows our strength as women, that we can do all these things and feel completely at home. 🙂

Your site is like a blonde with a brain. I love it. Jokes aside, very informative article and equally impressive design.

I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout
of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with
it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for
only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?