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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.
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~ Mark TwainDebbie Bosworth
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.Rebekah Teal
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.
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~ John MuirCathi Belcher
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’AngeloDori Troutman
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.
Shery Jespersen
Previous Ranch Farmgirl,
Oct 2009 – Nov 2013Wyoming 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.
Mary Murray
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.Alexandra Wilson
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.
Libbie Zenger
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
June 2010 – Jan 2012Libbie’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.
René Groom
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
April 2009 – May 2010René 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.
Nicole Christensen
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.
Paula Spencer
Previous Suburban Farmgirl,
October 2009 – October 2010Paula 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.
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For Every Thing There Is a Season
Leave a Comment
Child's play
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I’m sorry, I just have to say this…
WAY TO GID ER DUN FARMGIRL STYLE RENE’!!!
Looks like a wonderful time chuck full of good old fashioned memory making fun!
Very inspiring indeed!
Deb~ -
Sounds like the perfect women’s weekend! I love "playing" with my friends too! We are never too old to have fun with friends.
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THANK YOU, Prosser Farmgirls for such a wonderful planned weekend!!! I will definately be back for number two!! This time with my vintage trailer all finished. Thanks, Rene for your hospitality (letting me sleep under your stars!).
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You really made me feel like I was there. Every detail was well thought out…plus coffee 🙂 🙂 🙂 This just looks like so much pure joy and fun. I’m so glad that all the ladies had a great time. The pictures prove it. Thanks for posting the pictures about this event 🙂 🙂
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I LOVE the vintage trailers! Now I just have to find a way to pull one…..I could almost feel your excitement and how much FUN that you had. I am just going to have to find a Farmgirl chapter in my area that I mesh well with!
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Love this, I have a 68 BeeLine that we are fixing up so I can hit the road again. Love things like this.
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Oh! What fun! I truly wish I lived closer to get in on all that farmgirl fun! What a great weekend you had!
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Wow, what a great time! I smiled when I saw the pictures – we had a little "Scotty" camper in the 70s when the girls were little. We would load up when my dh would get home from school (he taught) and go for the weekend. How everyone loved it. Sadly we had to sell it later to buy a 2nd car. Sure wish I still had it – I might be tempted to join you, although a long trip from Ohio! Great blog as usual, Rene.
Bonnie -
I just relived your weekend as I sat here with a big old cup of hot coffee and went over similar memories of my own. The whole world needs more of this "family-style-fun" (even though it’s a mix of friends & family). I totally loved the wall decorations of sheets and aprons!…Go Rene!
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Rene,hi!I am with with Deb,Ya,got er done!I am jelous,wish I would of been there,I want an antique camper,does anyone know of where one is for sale cheap?For a girl on a beer budget?I want to drive out there this summer in one if I could,maybe by next year,a good one is hard to find.Blessed be,Carol Branum
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What a Great Idea Rene’…!
Thank You for taking the time to include all the photos…
Looks like Y’all had a real good time, and made some Memories…
By all means, Y’all should make it an Annual Camparee… t-shirts… souvenier coffee mugs, and… oops… there I go again… nah… Just have FUN…!
GodSpeed Y’all…!
Gary
inn Tampa -
What fun! A joy-filled time! All us us *need* time to play, no matter what our ages!happy day!~marcia
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Yep, it goes w/o saying, Rene & her band of ‘rene-gades’ did an awesome job hosting us & showing off their wonderful lil town of Prosser…
Thank you sooooo very much…I loved it and had a wonderful time and count me in again for next year!
YeeHaw & Wagons HO!
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Oh, my goodness. I just love it. I try not to be a jealous girl but how I wish I were there! So many of my favorite things, and packed into one weekend! What great friends you have PS I truly cannot WAIT to see what you end up doing with your vintage trailer…sigh…
Hahah.. I wish you were here too…
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The Prosser Farmgirls really showed that farmgirls can accomplish great things when they work together, as demonstrated by the recent Prosser Farmgirls’ Camp-In. New alliances were made when the Prosser Farmgirls "cross pollinated" with Sisters on the Fly. It’s our hope that "Farmgirls on the Loose" are just as successful as these two groups of wonderful women doing amazing things for the betterment of women and the communities where they reside, explore and influence in the name of making life better for all those whom they come into contact and network with. Congratulations to the doers! They can really get’er done!!!
Oh Rene`, My heart stopped at the end of your lovely article. I came to the blogger team late. Reading your MJF blog served as a shining example for me to follow. It has been a tutorial about good blogging style, the content is always filled with meaning and all things heartfelt. I will sorely miss your unique voice, your gifted sense of perspective and your magical way with words. You weave a fine tapestry girl! Wherever your next adventure takes you…Godspeed my friend. I know it will be joyful because you’ll take that with you.
Shery Jespersen
Dearest Rene’,
Let me just start by saying another great post here! The event looks wonderful. I have been fortunate to be part of creating and enjoying days such as you describe here and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of comraderie and accomplishment tossed in with a lot of hard work to create a magical day such as this. It’s great you got to be a part of it… Just like it’s great you have been a part of the magic and spirit of Mary Janes Farm too! As you know, you hooked me with the first post I read of your’s titled First Love… All I had to see was the photo of the beautiful palomino horse and I got to reading in a hurry.. Like all of your posts it went straight to my heart.
I’ll never forget the fun we had on the " connection over Oreo and Scooter " and how you shared my humble litte place in blog land with your readers here.
Rene, as this door closes and the next one opens, I wish you many blessings and more opportunities to share your wonderful healing words.
A devoted reader and friend in blog- land
Deb~
Hello Rene’…..well, we will miss reading your stories…sorry to hear you are leaving the blogging…always enjoyed hearing from you! Sounds like this gathering was a real special one. I hope that we’ll still hear from you, from time to time, thru MaryJane’s magazine? I too, am going thru some major changes in my life…some good, some difficult. Life is like that, don’t you think? We must get used to life changing, sometimes when we least expect it. I want to wish you much luck in whatever you pursue next!
All the best….nonnameme
Thank you and I wish you much happines and good fortune in your future endeavors.
The best of everything to you and your family.
Rene,
I’m sorry to see you leave "the post" as I find we often vibrate at the same frequency. Your thoughts have serendipitously been parallel to my own, as if we had been catching the same fragrance on the wind.
Thank you for your Rene fibers now firmly woven into my self-tapestry. God’s blessings on your future.
sharon
Dear Rene,
Since becoming a subscriber to Mary Jane’s Farm this last year, I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog. I will miss it but have been privileged to be able to share in your thoughts.
Rene,
You truly have a gift for writing and for "bringing" us all along on your journeys. You will be very missed on Farmgirl Connection/Sisterhood and this blog will be missed.
But, as you say, "for everything there is a season. . ." We all have seasons and we all have to know how to let go, move on or whatever it is we need to do. We need to do it with grace! You, my friend, are a lady of grace!!!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GRACE AND YOUR LIFE WITH ME!!!
CJ Armstrong . . from the Farmgirl Sisterhood
How fortunate you are to be so blessed with friends and family. I am a newcomer to this site. I recently moved from California to Virginia, to a rural community and I do not know many people yet. I suppose the way to do that will be to get involved in local matters. I have noticed that rural people are so much more "real" that what goes on in the big cities and the burbs, or maybe I am just finally finding myself in these parts…The beauty, the nature..all are astounding. …even the bugs that I am getting used to (ha). I have already put in 1 peach tree, a cherry, 2 apple, 2 plum and 2 crab apple trees, along with some ornamentals…Raspberry canes, blackberries and blueberries too…..maybe next year I’ll have some fruit….how exciting to coax food from this clay soil. If any of these readers get the chance, I say "go for it!" Country life is BLISS!
Ahh, Rene, it has been a delight to get to know you just a bit through your posts! I have missed something along the way, as you said you are to not continue with your posts…
What is next for you beautiful sister/farmgirl / friend?
Best wishes, and thanks for sharing!
p.s. and I still want to join in the with the fly women!
oh bummer, I barely started reading your blogs, but I do certainly enjoy and look forward to them and don’t want them to end… but it is true there is a time for everything. So whatever it may be for you next, enjoy! I am not yet in the sisterhood, but I am at heart of course. anyhow, thanks for sharing, perhaps one day we’ll have a group of gals here on the pacific north coast of Cali and I’ll be posting someday. enjoy the summer and all the time that follows.
What a beautiful journey you took me on through that lovely house and the even lovelier people who came to serve and bless others that day 🙂 🙂 I wish I could have been there. That looked like just the kind of fun event I would want to participate in and visit 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m a little sad this is your last blog post. However, you are moving on to bigger things…and you have to go where you are led 🙂 🙂 🙂 You’ve been a real delight. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs 🙂 🙂 Have a blessed time. Much love, hugs and good wishes from Oregon 🙂 🙂 🙂
I wish I could have been there. I am new to Mary Jane’s Farm but am absolutely enthused by everything. I lost my husband last Dec. of 23 years and I am rebuilding my life and trying to find my next path. This "time for everything" is so inspirational to me as I contemplate my next journey in life. Thank you for giving me a piece of peace.
I cannot believe that I won’t be reading your blog anymore. I so look forward to hearing about your adventure and most always they touch my heart. This site, to me, just won’t be the same without you. I never have taken the time to tell you how much I do enjoy your writing. If you ever start another blog, please include me. I feel so sad that this is ending.
Shiralyn Yates
Your story was inspirationsal. I would like to challenge everyone to put on a servant’s heart every day and ask God to guide you in serving other’s. It saddens me to hear that you are leaving and I wish you many blessings in your future.
I read this with so many mixed emotions. I wish I could have been there to enjoy ‘stepping back in time’ with all of you (Prosser Farm Girls)at this delightful event.
I am so saddened to hear we will not be seeing your posts any longer, I will so miss them. I love your wit and humor, it just carries me through another day, each time I see (read) you!!! But knowing you, this will not stop you! I am glad for that! No dust gathers under your feet!
I must say that I will miss your posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and enjoy the rest of your adventures.
WILL MISS YOU !!!
Well thank you Rene’. It has been fun knowing you through your articles and such. Good journey to you. MB
So true!
hugz
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I have only this past year found your posts. They allow me to share your life vicariously. I can see, smell, feel, and touch all of the things you see, smell, feel, and touch in your life. Your writing style is so alive.
I am so sorry that your time as "The Rural Farm Girl" has come to an end. The very best you you and yours as you move on to something new.
God Bless You Always
Jo
I have only this past year found your posts. They allow me to share your life vicariously. I can see, smell, feel, and touch all of the things you see, smell, feel, and touch in your life. Your writing style is so alive.
I am so sorry that your time as "The Rural Farm Girl" has come to an end. The very best you you and yours as you move on to something new.
God Bless You Always
Jo
Rene, on behalf of the Prosser Farmgirls, we hope that you know that we are truly blessed to know you and be the benefactors of all that you do and share with us and your "followers." You are loved and appreciated. It is fun to watch you grow and blossom into your designed creation, you are a reflection of His greatness. One word: (you are) brilliant!
umm wait- i need to know more abt the weekend and HOW can u leave us?
Thank you for your comment, Cheri. Rene accepted a full-time position as Community Relations Coordinator at Prosser Memorial Hospital. It was unexpected for us too, but we wish Rene the best in her new position.
It has been my pleasure although only a short time reading your blog. It makes me sad to hear you are leaving. I have enjoyed the chats and all the news from your place. Since I have become a farmgirl at Mary Janes Farm I have really felt I know these girls personally and have become part of the farm. I don’t live on a farm but I have an acre and it is my dream farm, I love trying to live green and doing the thing my savior wants me to be and living the way he expects me to,although I fall short many times and I pick up and try again. It is a blessing to have known you even for ashort while Rene, may god bless you so much and many good wishes to you in whatever you do from now on. Love Juanita Massey, Virginia
Thank you Rene’ for presenting to me a door which I chose to open and walk through. I shall not close it because on occasion I glance back, recall, and smile. May you also enjoy the same as you walk over your new threshold; glancing back and seeing all of us that you have inspired!! 🙂
I will be very sad to see your postings end, I have loved reading each and every one and seeing the beautiful pictures that go along with the stories. Thank You!
What! It can’t be true – you have traveled to the end of your blogging road? I feel I was just getting to know you! And I have loved every tale and empathized with and/or rejoiced in many.
In case you won’t change your mind, I wish you much peace and happiness in whatever is next.
You will be missed!
Bonnie
I have loved reading your stories.
I wish you all the best in the future.
I am sorry you are leaving.
Rene’, One of the highlights of checking my mail just left. I enjoyed and was inspired by all of your blogs. And just as much by the comments of your readers. I will miss them almost as much as I will miss reading your blog. But, you will still write won’t you? It is in your blood you know. LOL
Hi Rene,
I too was so blessed to be at the mansion…and get a second chance at standing on the widow’s walk! It was so lovely and elegant. Many thanks for the opportunity to share in just a snippet of the weekend. So sad this is your last post, as I too, have enjoyed them. But, so happy for your next step and the fact that I’ll still get to hear your fun stories (and your contagious laughter)in person occasionally at the farmgirls meetings. Blessings!
Rene’, It has been a true delight reading your stories. I feel blessed that our paths crossed for a while on this page. I have come to know your tender heart, good values, and a sense of humor.
God bless you as you continue your journey.
Dear Rene – I’m going to miss you sweet girl. Your blog is the one I ever truly look forward to reading. I mean it. I guess it felt like you were a back door friend, stopping by for a glass of ice tea and a visit.
Best of luck to you. ((((BIG HUG))))
Marilyn
I have enjoyed your stories so much, thank you for sharing them with us! I hope what ever is in your present and future is sweet SWEET SWEET!
I will miss you!
Mary Anne
Thank you for allowing us to live vicariously through your ranch girl life. Although I will miss your posts- I understand that sometimes in life you have to let some commitments go so that you CAN have a life! Best wishes to you!
Hi,I am so sorry, I felt like I was just getting to know you too.I wonder why?I am upset about this.Are they cutting expenses,or have you found greener pastures,e-mail me and let me know I am worried about you believe it or not.
Thank you for your comment, Carol. Rene accepted a full-time position as Community Relations Coordinator at Prosser Memorial Hospital. It was unexpected for us too, but we wish Rene the best in her new position.
Rene, yours is the first blog I’ve ever read. I will miss you. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with all of us.
Hey Rene, I will miss you so much! It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since I first sent a comment to your blog. Thank you for the kind words that you replied to me. They let me know that you were sincere and really "listening." You truly are my idea of "Farmgirl at Heart." I wish you many blessings as you make your journey down a different country road. Sincerely, Reba
Ohhhh…no,no,no! It can’t be:( I truly felt as though we were "kindred spirits"! Yes, all the other farm girl blogs are great…but yours was my kind of farmgirl. My heart is soooo sad. I do wish you well…but can’t you find just a moment to still share your stories w/ us????Farmgirls can work at hospitals too….
Well, that last paragraph hit me like a ton of bricks. Obviously, you/your blog will be missed very much. I hope we keep in touch, Rene! XOXOXOXO to you,
V
Rene,
thank you for the joy and making us all part of your life by sharing so much with us – your blog has always been the one that makes me stop and click to read it no matter what else is going on.
I will miss your insights, kind words, love & caring that came through your words & stories.
much success to you and I hope you will come back to check in from time to time to let us know how you are doing!
Rene, How I’ll miss you! Your blogs were truly letters from a friend. Each one was savored. Each inspired me. Congratulations on your new position at the hospital. It sounds like the perfect niche for your skills and talents.
Peace and All Joy, Joan
You will certainly be missed here Rene’ but I will look forward to many other opportunities where our paths will cross! Bless you, my friend! Elaine
Renee, My heart is so saddened but each article I "treasure" and each one will remain in my heart! You have filled me with much JOY! I sincerely wish you much happiness in your new adventure. You will be sooooo missed. When I think of "MaryJane", I grin and with much comfort of knowing I will be reading "Rene’s" musings. I uplift you with a "Banner of LOVE" and you will remain in my thoughts and prayers! JOY JOY JOY JOY JOY!!!!! Mega Hugs for ya……….YOU are loved…..Always….~roz~