Random 1. Maybe we should finally name our farm.
We have been here two and a half years. It is time.
Everyone said, “A name will come to you.”
It hasn’t.
My husband and I were like that when we had a baby too.
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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.’”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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!
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”.
Rebekah `Riches! Random Smiles! I could think of a lot of titles for your ranch sign! I love your beautiful horse…he’s beautifully named…. Merlin the magician with your heart strings! He reminds me of my Candy….who was a palomino, that coloring of yours with spots! Why not call it…Merlin’s Mansion….because hes got your soul! Horses do that to you.
I was always mystified by my horse who would con me for
carrots every day, and if I didnt give him one, he would steal
my candy in my coat pocket or from my overalls ( its how he
got his name….stealing the candy from my pocket) . He had a
sweet tooth.
I think your photos are so beautiful….love the rainbow and the
clouds, so picturesque.you stood really think f a name.,..hope I helped you decide….I love Soul Stowaway! You stoled my heart!
As for your Banjo….he looks part goat! He must be hilarious. If you ask me…you should call your ranch … Soul Stowaway as you stowed my heart away …..your farm is so beautifully displayed with the rolling hills and all the funny characters on it….I would love to be a stowawy there on your farm, its so welcoming with all the different personalities of your animals….or should i say family members! You stold my heart , as I miss my farm days as a child.
P.s…..love the milkweed… I would grow an acre of it if I had the space…. milkweed attracts the Monarch Butterflies….how about Milkweed miles! I could just see the butterflies hanging out on your farm….its so peaceful…. Peaceful Pastures! Or even Monarch Miracles! Or just…Random Paradise! Love it! Good luck naming your place a name that emulates its beauty!
Hi Rebekah:
Just wanted you to know how much your blog means to me – always makes me smile – your pure honesty and thoughts are so uplifting – thank you for sharing your home and life with all of us!
Give Merlin a big hug for me!
Sharon (from South Carolina)!
Dear Rebekah, farm names are so hard. We named ours sort of in a hurry because we needed a name in order to register our farm under the green belt tax stuff, etc.. We had all of a few days to stew over it. Probably could’ve delayed it another season but my husband never lets the grass grow under his feet. So, it became Southern Greens Angus Farm and I guess it’s okay. Anyway… I’m happy that you can take your time! It’ll come to you! I LOVE the tobacco basket. I’ve been wanting one for years. They are terribly expensive here in Tennessee. It looks great on your wall. Oh, and I also love the mis-matched chairs! And Merlin. Glad you have such a sweet story for him and such a special bond. And the good thing is? You don’t ever have to ride him if you don’t want to… you can groom him, walk him, hug him and baby him! Happy February! – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –
How about Clarity Acres because you took a situation you weren’t really experienced in and have made sense of it all. That’s more than most people can boast. Love your posts! They make me dream.
Well, I have two suggestions on a name for your farm based on what I’ve read over the years. You already have a magician, Merlin, in residence so that makes it a Magic Farm. The other suggestion is combining the acreage with the name as in FortyAcres Farm (or whatever acreage you have).
random love for all things alive, especially my husband, kids, chickens, cows, pigs and horses; in that order. Random farm is a wonderful name. You wouldn’t have come up with it unless you were struggling with naming. Your farm is beautiful and you are a delight to hear about. Happy Valentine’s day (should be called love day).
What an inspiration you are, Rebekah. I was feeling down in the dumps when I started reading your story and the more I read the better I felt and when I read the part about how connected you are to Merlin, I was high. You’ve written about this before and each time I always think, ‘how great is that’? The link and bond that you share with this beautiful creature is magnificent. He knows who he can trust and I’m sure he appreciates it every time he runs wild and free across the pastures of your farm. Maybe your spirit is running with him. You don’t EVER have to explain or apologize to anyone about your feelings for giving Merlin a ‘home’ or any of your other little furry or feathered ones. I love it.
Have you checked Lola for bumblefoot? It is a chicken thing that you can read about online. A couple of times one or two of our chickens just bruised a leg or foot but soon healed, but I always had to look at the bottom of their feet just to make sure they did not have an injury.
The only random thing we are doing right now is waiting for spring … got lots of chores to do and we need warmer weather to do them, but each day is a day closer to spring.
thank you for the positive notes – I needed that. I feel great now!
Ok! Once again your hilarious ! I too. Am having a hard time naming our farm! We built our farmhouse 1and a half years ago on our 26 acres! I love love wizard of oz! I wanted to name our farm Over the Rainbow farm! My husband thought it was gay! Ha! No offense to anyone! So we think we have settled on Flew the Coop! I thought you would love it! Oh! And he wants to name the road to our farmhouse,dairyair lane! Get it! I told him we need some jersey or Holstein cows out front for show! He said if we get one will eat it! Yikes! Can’t eat Bessie! Well! I am finally getting my horse dream this year! Oh my wanted a horse my whole life too! Where to go? How to know if it’s the right one? Oh my! Got my work cut out for me! I think I want a paint! Well ! The goats,cat,dogs,husband and my dear old Dad are all fed! Whew! Time for a nap! Ha ! Soon to be chicks too! Take care! Cindy
I came to this site to offer you a farm name …and unbelievable as it seems…Adrienne has offered the same name! How UNCANNY. Let me offer a quote from “Sleepless In Seattle” that could apply to the Farm and to Merlin. Here goes: “It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together…and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home…only to no home I’d ever known.
I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like…
Magic.”
So, Magic Farm should cover all the love and the meant-to-bes and all the magic this has brought to you and your family.
James Hilton wrote a book called Random Harvest. It was made into a movie with Greer Garson. I kinda like that name for the farm. It doesn’t lock you into anything, like a certain crop or endeavor, and yet it almost summarizes your experiences of the last few years. It seems to me that this whole thing has been one of the most enriching parts of your life.
As for a name–I know the right one will come to you one day. But, you always talk about Merlin your horse. I always think of the movie “Excalibur”–one of our favorites. And after that I always think of Merlin in the movie saying he is a dream to some and a nightmare to others. So name for thought “Excalibur” and/or “Dreamland”.
My life is in transition now and not as wonderful as when it felt and seemed so similar to yours.
Thanks so much for sharing what’s wonderful in your world, and how the magic of it touches you. It touches us too!
I did want to alert you to one aspect of naming your farm. That is, maybe do a google search on it first. Not that you can’t have the same name or title as another- but sometimes there can be an association you may not want.
For instance, there’s a popular radio show (also podcasted on youtube) hosted by Whitely Streiber, called “Dreamland”. It’s about aliens and related stuff. Just thought you would want to know that.
From Wiki: The United States Air Force facility commonly known as Area 51 is a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base, within the Nevada Test and Training Range. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, the name Area 51 was used in a CIA document from the Vietnam War.
Other names used for the facility include Dreamland, and Paradise Ranch (among others). So, Area 51 = same as Dreamland.
*I named our last place Paradise Ranch… had a sign at the entrance and everything, but it was far from an original – I found that it’s a very popular name (and no one associates it w/ Area 51).
Good luck to you in finding that perfect name!
LOVE your “random” column! Keep up the blogging & the lovely photos!
aside from the Asparagus Patch you mentioned in your post, the name “Soulace” (a variation of solace) came to mind.
Soulful Farm….It has filled your soul with an abudant love.
Hi Rebekah,
I am not going to give you any names or advice. That is my theme for this year and what ever years I have left. “Do not give advice or poke my nose in where it is never welcome”. That is my theme. You know what you are doing. Thank you for rescuing a beautiful horse.
Have a nice healthy life,
Kay
Rebekah, I love your random post! The tiny doll just cracks me up. You have so many wonderful, random things in your life. And you are so great at telling about them!
Here’s one of the random things at my farmette:
I have a funky little country house with some really low ceilings and tiny doors….fit for a hobbit. I have a cistern below the kitchen that used to be accessed by a hole in the floor. My husband always tells people that if he disappears that someone should make sure that I didn’t put him in the cistern. Would I do that? Hmmmm.
Well, I have to put my two cents in. “Avalon Hills Farm” to house all your magic and magical creatures that you invited to live there.
Hi Rebekah!
I love reading about your farm. My grandparents from generations back have all been farmers and I loved….loved spending time there. I would live on a farm in a “city-heart-beat” but I married such a city-boy. : )
I can see why you fell in love with Merlin. The little “pony” would steal my heart away. But I wouldn’t like any mouse in the house!
I love the pictures of the farm, especially the one with the “buttermilk” sky over the farm. Just transports me out of the heart of the city here and puts me right where I would like to be living open and free under God’s own sky.
I’m so happy that you are able to be living YOUR dream!
More power to you Farm Girl.
And I hope your little Chicky’s foot is better now.
Happy Heart Day…
Thank you, as always, Rebekah for your wonderful posts about your life on the farm!! I especially want to thank you for mentioning the plight of the monarch butterflies who’s population has decreased 95% in the past twenty years. I’m trying to enlist any gardener who is interested to plant milkweed seeds(I have even purchased them to distribute to my friends). It is a cause near and dear to my heart. I love your beloved Seddy. He looks like he’s been loved and cherished for a long time :-). I know the perfect name for your beloved farm will come…it took me awhile to name mine 🙂
Good Morning ,
Merlin was a great wizard , soul mates can be in any form yours is a horse . your name shall come , It needs to come from all of you, your husband your daughter your horses your chickens , it is good you can reach the souls of all your animals not all people can do that. take your time with this.
Merlin’s Meadow Farm? Anyway, loved the pictures. My favorite was the wasp and baby. Very odd combo. Guess that says a lot about me!
Too many comments to check, but did anyone suggest Dream Maker Farm? It would certainly fulfill my dreams! I had my soul horse at one time, and another that was “just a horse”…so I entirely know what you mean. A famous trainer once said not to let anyone tell you what to do with your horse. So if you never ride, just have them to enjoy in the pasture (pasture ornaments) that is wonderful. I would love to have my horse again; she has passed on but is still in my dreams.
Oh, a p.s. about the chicken…had a hen one time who got stepped on by the horse and broke her leg above the foot. I “splinted” it with sticks and tape (popsicle sticks?) and although she had a small bump, I don’t remember that she even had a limp!!
Your farm is a blessing! I have no advice on names since I’ve never been good at that. I’m too indecisive. I love what you are doing with your Soul horse, though. All creatures, whether two legged or four, need that freedom at some point in their lives.
You can always float test your eggs! My hens were always hiding them and I would stumble upon stashes of 40 or more eggs at a time. Floaters are bad. Sinkers are good. Google it! Especially during the winter.. I bet they are all good!
Nice collection of your thoughts. Thanks for sharing, you made my day.
I randomly love your posts!
Love your posts, I understand the Soul mate horse natural free spirit thing going on. I also see the sparkle in the animals you have rescued or taken under your wings, and let them be free souls and self-minded spirits. Suggestion to farm name
should relate to all this…FREE SPIRIT FARM or SPARKLED SOUL FARM…yes let your spirit and soul run free and eventually you and Merlin will connect, horses do sense the true spirit of humans, that’s why they’re so special loving creatures.
Keep on blogging.
Christiane Berry
I’m wondering if you named your farm yet….how about… Heavens Haven?I hope you let us know what you name your farm and get a ranch style sign to hang at your front of your farm. Susana