There are some friendships that simply pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time or distance has passed. My lifelong friend came to spend (almost) a week with me, and somehow those five days felt like a little gift from another time. We antiqued, drank lots of coffee, took long walks around the farm, and sat on the porch talking well into the night. Every morning we watched the sun rise from the porch… and then watched it set in the evening. We reminisced about raising our kids together, laughed over old memories, cried over hard ones, and treasured every bit of being together. Nothing about the week was particularly complicated—and maybe that’s what made it so special. Just two best girlfriends enjoying the kind of friendship that feels like coming home.
Holy Humidity, Batman! It’s HOT here in New England! What makes it almost unbearable is the humidity along with the high temperatures, as well as big, thundering rainstorms almost daily. What’s a farmgirl to do?
Trooper says, “Mommy when will it cool down? I miss our long walks!”
It’s hard to believe we’re already well into August, and it has been unusually hot and very humid here. This month, it has felt like we are living in the rainforest instead of in New England! In fact, Southern New York and many parts of Connecticut (including where I am) are now considered a “sub-tropical” climate! My family and I were watching an old movie from 25 years ago, set in Boston, Massachusetts and Fairfield, Connecticut, during Halloween. Everyone was dressed in coats and boots, as it was cold. When my daughter was little, it wasn’t hot in October like it has been the last few years, and August brings more rain than we used to see this time of year. In the first seven days of August, we had heavy, long rainstorms bringing inches and inches of rain for five of those days!
How hot is it? It’s so hot that the squirrels are “splooting” in the maple trees!
Squirrels “sploot” , (yes, it is a real word) in an effort to cool themselves. I feel ya, squirrel, it is HOT!
I felt as red as this bird at the zoo when we visited recently.
When it is in the high 80’s and 90’s with extreme humidity, we try to get chores, errands and day trips scheduled early in the day before it becomes unbearable. On a recent trip to our local zoo, just to get out a bit, even the animals were hot!
Remember the baby spider monkey I posted about in April? She is getting bigger, and did not seem bothered at all by how hot it was.
While this big guy looked like he was saying, “Lady, it is too hot in here”.
Walking near the Connecticut shore finds temperatures a little bit more balmy than inland.
It’s always a bit cooler by the shore.
On a clear day after several rainy ones, when my family was visiting, I was able to take an early hike at Bent-of-the-River with my cousin-in-law. It was so beautiful, in full summer bloom, but still very hot, so we were careful to go early and not stay too long out in the heat.
At home, we are still enjoying seeing the wildlife that visits our property.
Mama deer and her baby share a tender moment in our yard.
Two frequent visitors in one frame!
A spicebush swallowtail “puddling” – asborbing nutrients from the mud.
Cleome are one of the last flowers to bloom in my garden in summer. They will look good until the first frost.
August means my garden is starting to really produce, and it’s time for the best-tasting tomatoes, ripening on the vines in the sun.
It’s best to harvest your tomatoes early, before they are completely ripe on the vine. They will continue to ripen in the house, but will have less of a chance to crack in the heat and rain, get fungal issues, or have pests and birds snack on the fruit.
Unfortunately, with extreme rain and heat, frustrating weeds such as crabgrass and invasive Japanese Stilt Grass flourish. I’m careful to pace myself and stop before it gets too warm, or jump in the pool to cool off once in a while while weeding.
A chunky little chipmunk asks, “Does this stiltgrass make my butt look big?”
I noticed the smallest little toad while I was weeding.
The rain has been getting so heavy at times!
We can go from a sheet of rain with wind, thunder, and lightening…
…to hot sun and humidity within five minutes.
We are used to rain, but the thunderstorms we have been getting lately are wild! Our poor animals get scared. The other evening, the sky turned a weird color, and thunder started rolling constantly. We had to hold our smallest fur-babies tightly, our elderly cat Mittens and our wee pup, Trooper, to keep them calm. The thunder made the whole house shake, and the lightning was constant! We were so relieved when my husband made it safely home from work and inside the house!
The sky was a weird color and the lightening was crazy the other night!
The house rumbled as the lightening was right on top of us!
With wet, hot weather we also see fungus pop up. Fungus can be gross (and toxic to pets), but is still really interesting.
Parasola mushrooms pop up early in the morning after a rain, and then start to wither and decompose as the sun comes out and warms the ground. They are tiny and delicate, and look like little parasols for fairies!
Slime molds occur on rotting wood and mulch.
We saw the tiniest little red mushrooms growing on an old split rail at Bent-of-the-River.
Little puff-ball mushrooms are cute…
…while other wild fungus specimens are just plain ugly! We always watch our dogs closely when we take them out during “fungus season”.
While there are so many beautiful and fun places to go outside in New England, we also like to beat the heat with indoor fun! Connecticut has two big casinos, both operated by native american tribes. While my family isn’t really into gambling, there is so much to do at both, all year long. Restaurants, concerts, shops, and conventions are just some of the fun.
This amazing, giant sand sculpture is at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, CT.
We look forward to the comic book convention, Terrificon, each summer. There, we always find wonderful, hand-drawn (NOT A.i) art by amazing artists, marvel at how detailed the cosplayers dress, and even get to meet celebrities. It’s always a great family day for us.
This amazing robot is actually a cosplayer! Amazing costume!!! At “Terrificon” at the Mohegan Sun casino.
Connecticut also has no shortage of great, delicious places to cool down with my favorite way to beat the heat – ice cream! From Ben and Jerry’s in the casino, to local dairy farms making the freshest, creamiest confections from their own cows, it is a the best way to cool off!
We have lots of great farms with ice cream, but my favorite is Rich’s Farm in Oxford, CT.
My cousin debates whether he can eat the entire cone at Rich’s Farm Ice Cream. (He did finish it)!
(Of course, the dogs might argue that a nap is the best way to spend a hot day).
It’s been a really hot summer all over the country (and Europe) this year. But the charm of New England is that just when we think we have had enough of one season, that’s when it changes. Until then, we will enjoy the rest of the season!
WHAT IS THAT?! Uh-oh…
Hope you all have a wonderful rest of summer, dear readers! We will be savoring the last heat of the summer here in New England! Thanks for “stopping by”!
August in the Midwest is scorching, muggy, and red-hot like an oven. It calls to mind the old expression: It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk! And as always, there are two distinctive sounds that are the heartbeat of August: a distant echo of thunder and the relentless hum of cicadas.
Regardless of the oppressive heat & humidity, chores must continue…weeding, tilling, trimming, mowing, and watering are either done early as the sun rises, or late as the sun sets. So with that sun up/sun down schedule, these “Dog Days” leave plenty of in-between time for whittling down my to-do list. But you know what? Some days I just want to toss that to-do list into the air and do something fun and creative! And this month that’s just what I did.
Soon I was off to one of my favorite antique shops where I scored a lucky freebie. Maybe I could beat this August heat after all…let’s turn some “junk” into farmhouse fountains!
Watering Can Fountain
I love watering cans…I mean LOVE. I have way more than I need, but I can’t resist, it’s as if they’re saying “take me home!” And so, when this watering can was free because it had a hole in the side, how could I say no?
And yep, here’s the hole. Why? I’ll never know. However; it was absolutely perfect for what I had in mind!
A trip to my local hardware store and I found all I needed to make an invisible flowing fountain. I’m sure you’ve seen them before, and they’re so simple to make.
You’ll need a watering can, section of rigid, clear plastic tubing (mine is 12 inches), spigot, and a small submersible pump. I discovered there are two types of pumps…one that plugs into an electrical outlet, and one with a USB cord that fits into a portable charger. The USB cord is perfect for a porch or even indoors when an outlet isn’t nearby.
I set the pump in the bottom of the watering can, then ran the cord through the opening in the side. I was lucky because mine had a hole, but you can also make one using a drill with a spade bit.
Before I slipped the acrylic tube over the pump’s nozzle, I arranged some rocks around the pump to hold it steady. I slipped on the tubing, filled the watering can with water, and set the spigot on top. Yay, it works! The water comes up through the tube and spills over the edges, making it look as if there’s water magically coming from the spigot.
Mine is on a little table by the back door, and because there’s no outlet near the table, I used the USB cord pump (you can see the blue portable charger below.) I’ll be sure to bring it inside whenever there’s a chance of rain.
Galvanized Tub Fountain
This came together with no trips to the hardware store at all. I found this in the barn (one of the good things about old, old barns!) I’ve been told it’s a rain barrel downspout…does anyone know for certain?
I already had an old galvanized tub, tubing, and an extra water pump, so this was done in minutes. I attached the downspout to the inside of the tub with hex head bolts,
and set the pump inside…it’s small suction cup feet help hold it in place, but I added rocks as well. Then I ran the tubing through the spout and attached it to the pump nozzle. Some water, an old wash board, and I was done!
Pitcher Pump Fountain
Now this last fountain is one I’ve wanted to make for years, but I just never seemed to get around to it. So after ages of being “pea green with envy” every time I saw one, I decided to give it a try! I had all the parts I needed, but there was one tricky job to be done: feeding the water tube through the interior of the pump.
These sturdy old pumps are made to last. They’re also made in such a way that I couldn’t simply feed the tubing through the bottom and then inside without removing the inner workings of the pump. Looking online, it seemed like an easy enough job…simply take the pump apart, run the tubing through the inside and out the spout.
Was it Easy? No. Absolutely, positively no!
This old pump was so rusted, simply “taking it apart” was not going to happen without a struggle. Bolts were sprayed with lubricating oil and scrubbed with wire brushes. Coated in oil and scrubbed yet again (and again, and again.) This “fun” project was becoming less fun by the minute.
Now, some folks have been successful snaking the tubing through the bottom and around the plunger, but for me, that was not happening. Perhaps a job for another day, but for now, I just ran the tubing through the handle support and into the spout.
After that, it was time to rummage through a drawer in search of rusty screws that were a good match to secure the pump to a section of wood.
While I would have liked to used a galvanized tub, what I had on hand was an old copper kettle…no worries, it would be just fine. However; with its rounded bottom, I needed to add some shims underneath to keep it level.
I added the pump, surrounded it with rocks, attached the tubing, and filled the kettle with water. The pump cord was placed over the top and along the back of the kettle and plugged into an outdoor extension cord (I added a plastic safety cover over the cords.) Finally it was time to add the pump…fingers crossed!
The section of wood and the pump were set firmly on the kettle, along with some flowers to hide the tubing and cord.
Happy dance!
No, it’s not “picture perfect,” but it’s one of those simple, country pleasures that make my heart happy.
Taking a break from the summertime to-do list turned out to be a delight.Tinkering with these fountains was the perfect cure for the these sweltering, muggy August days.
How are you spending your summer? Whether it’s family get-togethers, splashing in cool water, rocking on the porch, puttering in the garden, or heading out for a road trip adventure…there are so many ways to enjoy these days and make our hearts happy!
See you soon friends, with more “tails” from the farm…
“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
Debbie 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.’”
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.
“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
Cathi 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.”
“Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
Dori 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.
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.
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.”
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!
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.
René Groom
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.
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”.
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.
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