City Farmgirl

Facing Facebook

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:37:45 0000

A friend sent me an email the other day, “I’d be embarrassed to be you. You only have 87 friends! LOL”

LOL? I'm not L-ing OL. That's all I need. One more thing to be self-concious about. It's a good thing she informed me because I had no idea I was hurting on Facebook. 87 friends sounded like a lot to me. But no. My bubble is burst!

Clean Slates

Mon, 2 Jan 2012 12:19:16 0000

It’s that time of the year. Time to assess and resolve.

Tell us about your 2011.

What was your favorite book that you read in 2011? What was some new music that you discovered? What was something new you learned to do? What did you do that you are most proud of? What was something you learned about yourself?

Before I share my answers, let me tell you how excited I am about the start of a new year. I feel that way every single year. Standing there on the threshold of the New Year, I just love to look at all the possibilities. Think about all the things I can accomplish; all the things I can learn.

That's one reason that I don’t go for those electronic calendars for my personal, home calendar. You just can't get that same inspiration and excitement. (At least I can't.) I need colored pens and a pretty calendar.

Christmas Pajamas

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:22:13 0000

My Christmas Pajama tradition started here, at maryjanesfarm.com and led me this year to a very interesting place. A place that I need your help with. Big time. But before we talk about that, let's talk about our own childhood Christmases. Do you remember the way you felt as a kid on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning? Do you remember the excitement and joy and hope that filled your heart? Do you still feel that? Do you remember the first time you enjoyed the GIVING more than the GETTING?

Dreams Fir Snowe

Sun, 4 Dec 2011 09:57:41 0000

Yes, I know. Snow doesn't have an "e" on the end. And sure, it's "for" not "fir."

Funny, my daughter (she's 10) is super-attuned to southern accents; and for some reason, she doesn't want one. (Can you imagine that?) She corrects me on "fir" and also gets me on "dee" for "day," as in Mon-dee. No, no, no, she says. It's "daaaay, not deeeee." And you know what else? She tries NOT to say "y'all." (Whose child is she any way?)

Anyway, I spend my winter in the south dreaming of snow, chanting for snow, dancing for snow. I saw a flurry the other day and was THRILLED!

Thanks Giving

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:59:38 0000

“Dear God, Thank you for everything. Amen.”

That was the first prayer my daughter said from her heart. You know, the first one that she hadn’t learned from some one else.

When she said it, I got on to her. “Go on....you're not done. You need to do better. Name the people and things you’re thankful for. Tell the good Lord your petitions. Give more details.” I thought she was being a lazy pray-er.

Now I realize how perfect her prayer really was. “Thank you for everything.” No begging, no whining, no complaining, no asking. Just a big, fat thank you. For all of it.

This Thanksgiving Day, what is your prayer?

Growing Family Ties

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 13:43:37 0000

This is a two-fer. Two-fer-one. Two totally unrelated topics, squished together in one post.

Topic Number One. Family. What does your family mean to you? Who do you include in the definition of family? And here's the big question of the day: What do YOU do to nurture your family bond?

I came to the conclusion this week that each family member has a job, a duty. And that's to nurture the family bond.

But the thing I haven't figured out is how to do that. We all know that a family is what you make it, right? But specifically. Exactly. Precisely. What? What does each member need to do to help it along?

I Ain't 'Fraid of No Ghosts

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:47:38 0000

It is that time of year. Orange and black. Skeletons. Candy corns. Witches. Goblins. And ghosts. Or "haints" as the some old-timer southerners call them.

You scared of ghosts? No me. "I ain't scared of no haints." Ain't. Haint.

But you know what has always kinda scared me? I mean besides snakes. Ouija Boards. It seems like at every slumber party I went to as a kid, somebody brought out an Ouija Board. And I just never knew for sure. Was somebody moving it? Or was it a SPIRIT? Creepy. Did you have one as a kid? Leave a comment and let us know what you think about the Ouija.

Nothin' But A Hound Dog

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:15:50 0000

It’s not that I don’t like hound dogs. Because I do.

I love their warm, soulful brown eyes, their gentle ways, their long soft floppy ears.

And it’s not that I don’t like listening to their melancholy howls.

Because I do. I can even do a pretty good imitation.

But, goodness gracious!

So, What's Your Story?

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:46:28 0000

Yes...yes, it was. The Creative Connection Event was indeed wonderful. I enjoyed absolutely everything about it. One of my favorite parts was getting to visit with MaryJane. Could I love her any more than I do? Nope, I don't see how. She is everything you think she is, and more. And Meg is as precious as she seems. I was so happy to finally meet her. She's a doll.

And you wouldn't believe the creative talent and energy buzzing around the room. Such remarkable women. But, you know the thing I liked the most about attending?

Listening.

I sat back and listened intently to all the stories the women there shared with me. Treasures.

Hard Harvest Moon

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:05:24 0000

The moon last night. A total wow. How fitting for 9/11. A full moon, low in the sky illuminating the earth, illuminating our hearts.

Last night’s moon was the last full moon before autumn’s official arrival. That makes it the “Harvest Moon.” It was named "Harvest Moon" because this time of year is crop gathering season for many farmers. And that big, bright moon gives them extra time to harvest their produce.

I don’t know about you. But I wasn’t bringing in any crops. My garden is quite bare. Sadly bare. My major harvest this summer was tomatoes and basil. They are both long gone now.

But being a “harvest” moon and all, I knew I should harvest something. So I got rather loosey-goosey with the definition, as I often do. I’ll tell you what I’m harvesting in just a minute, but how about you? Did you harvest anything? Either in your garden, or in your career, or in your home, or in your family, or in your head, or in your heart?