| Author |
Farmgirl Chapter Chatter:  The Mavens' Haven - December 6, 2008  |
|
|
LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 06 2008 : 07:17:07 AM
|
THE MAVENS’ HAVEN
December 6, 2008
Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future
Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens!
Ahhhh, gardening! I don’t know about you but I found my thoughts drifting more toward gardening than Christmas this week. I’ve posted about the J. I. Rodale book I found at our local library, How to Grow Vegetables and Fruits by the Organic Method. I haven’t had a chance to really look at it as it’s been in my husband’s possession since I checked it out a month ago. (Yes, I did renew at two weeks – no overdue fees here, well, not this time). The copyright date is 1961 and it is packed with information, which, fortunately, hubby shares with me. Friday he had to leave the book with me so that I could return it if the library wouldn’t allow me to renew it again, so I finally got to do a little reading. I was fascinated by the Foreword. They asked people “Why do you raise your own fruits and vegetables?” It’s amazing how much of what they had to say is exactly what I’m reading in current magazines. It’s as current today as it was almost 50 years ago. So I thought I would share with you one of the responses. As I read it, it just screamed “maven” to me. I hope you think so too.
Why Do I Garden?
Why does a man, living in town, want to raise vegetables when his wife can purchase them at the grocer’s much more cheaply? Why does he plan and dig and plant and pull weeds and get blisters and an occasinoal sore back or slit fingernail, when bought vegetables are almost as tasty? He certainly is not compelled to do so, and I would like to try to answer the question.
First: There is the fascination of poring over seed catalogs with their colored pictures of ideal vegetables and glowing descriptions of sizes and colors and tastes, and then the wracking job of deciding which kinds to order, and in what amounts; then the pleasure of planning how to prepare the ground, and where and when to plant each kind of seed, and the making of a diagram to accommodate them.
Second: There is the matter of physical exercise. Most of us would rather watch skillful athletes perform strenuously than weary our own muscles, or else we would rather overexercise one afternoon a week at our favorite sports. But we know that moderate daily exercise is far more beneficial than either, in developing the sparkling eye, the feeling of vigor, the sounds sleep and the trim waistline. In our own back yard gardens we have that opportunity for constructive, satisfying and moderate exercise out in the fresh air.
Third: Whatever the manner in which we earn our daily bread, we become mentally exhausted at the shop or store or office, from the many problems we have to try to solve and the tensions we have to endure. What a rest and relaxation, on arrival home, to change into our old, patched clothes and step out into a quiet, happily growing garden. Almost immediately there is an easing of tension within us with the opportunity, as we putter around to mull over our problems, to see them in their proper perspective and, very often, to reach happy solutions, so that by suppertime we are comfortably tired in body, and at peace, inwardly.
Fourth: And this is the most difficult to get into words. Although we might accurately say that a musician can create a melody or an artist a painting, nevertheless no human being can create an atom or molecule of actual physical matter. Our Creator is the only one who can do that. But we can work with Him and use the things He has given us and, by thought and care and labor, aid in developing them into things of beauty and benefit. Gardening can help us satisfy our creative urge and thrill us, as we see our efforts result in vigorous growth and development.
Fifth: Sinking one’s teeth into an ear of juicy sweet corn, picked half an hour previously, convinces one that it really is fresher and sweeter than the bought kind picked a day or two before. It is a pleasure to have vegetables fresher and more tasty and nutritious; and to enjoy the fruits of one’s labors furnishes a very gratifying feeling of accomplishment.
Sixth: Most gardeners raise more than they can use, and delight in sharing with their neighbors the delicacies they have produced. This experience is a pure bonus of enjoyment to the donor.
- C. L. Woodridge
**** MAVEN TO MAVEN ****
Mavens on the Road
Corinne (Corinnelouise) will be coming back home from France and visiting family. Hopefully she will be back there in the next few weeks as it look like her husband will be taking a commuting job to Africa, one month working, one month at home. This will allow her to live near her mom and aunt where she can help care for them. This will also give her the chance to “sow heirlooms seeds in the garden as I have been dreaming of for years now.” Please keep Corinne and family in your thoughts and prayers that this plan works out for them.
In the Life of a Maven
Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes) is having her cheese and wine sale today (December 6th). Her cutting arm is now twice the size of the other due to cutting hundreds of pounds of cheese this week. Just kidding!
Tina (Tina Michelle) will be having oral surgery this Wednesday, December 10, at 9:45am. “I felt better about everything when I found out the dentist/surgeon has been doing this sort of thing for 35 yrs..and is a good ole' Florida boy.”
The effects of the economy are still taking a toll in mavendom:
Brenda (Homespun Livin) will be offline beginning this Wednesday, December 10th, but will be back on board a.s.a.p. Looks like the mavens will be reviving the dying art of letter-writing.
Dawn’s (deeredawn) husband was laid off of work on Thursday. He’s currently helping at the dairy farm owned by the hatchery where Dawn works – thank you Meyer Hatchery ( www.meyerhatchery.com ).
Marcy (marcy jo) is still enjoying her forced time off during the holiday season. “Now I have a bunch of time to get things done!”
Condolences to:
Teresa Sue’s (Contrary Wife) son-in law in the loss of his mother last Saturday.
Dawn and her family in the loss of three family members this week.
New Mavens
Are you someone who’s reading the maven posts but unsure about jumping in? Does this newsletter rev up your interest? If you want more information about MJ’s Heirloom Mavens, check out the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 and then go to Magazine: Call for Entries / Keeping in Touch / Danger of Extinction Thread and introduce yourself. We’d love to get to know you!
Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badge Awardees
The mavens are well-represented in this week’s badge postings. Woo hoo’s go to:
Marcy
* Farm Kitchen: Beginner Level Bustin’ Out badge
* Stitching and Crafting: Intermediate Level Aprons badge
* Cleaning Up: Going Green badge
* Each Other: Beginner Level Farmgirl Gratitude badge
Teresa Sue
* Each Other: Beginner Level Farmgirl Gratitude badge
* Farm Kitchen: Beginner Level Bustin’ Out badge
**** WEEKLY UPDATE ****
It’s Maven Christmas Time!
Ho ho ho! Um, maybe that should be……hoe hoe hoe! The maven gifts are beginning to arrive!
Another Egg in the Henhouse:
Dawn took advantage of her computer showing signs of life again and laid another egg in the henhouse: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=692
Small Town Living:
The latest edition of Small Town Living is hot off the e-press this week. Some of the great articles this month are “How to Get Rich Quick,” “Small Town Southern Christmas” and “Save Money by Making Your Own Cleaning Supplies.” (There is a merit badge possibility in that last article!) Thanks to Tina and her husband, Paul, for a great magazine. You can find it at www.stliving.net .
Moyer and Pollan
Rene (prosserfarmgirl) posted a link to a thought-provoking interview by Michael Pollan. Here is a quote to peek your interest:
"I think we need a food policy czar in the White House because the challenge is not just what we do with agriculture, it's connecting the dots between agriculture and public health, between agriculture and energy and climate change, agriculture and education.
So you need someone who can take a kind of more you know, global view of the problem and realize that it's an interdisciplinary problem, if you will. And if you do hope to make progress in all these other areas, you have to make sure that if the Surgeon General is, you know, going on about the epidemic of type 2 diabetes, you don't want to be signing farm bills that subsidize high fructose corn syrup at the same time.”
[Editor’s note: I believe anything by Michael Pollan is a must-read. I have a couple of his books and after the holidays, we are going to get very well acquainted.]
Postcards for Ian:
Tina’s son is learning about the states this year. “I thought it would be neat for him to receive a little postcard that shows a little something from each State.” Check out Tina’s Wanted: a wee postcard from your State thread in the Across the Fence forum to find out more information. The postcards have started coming in and 16 states are already represented!
Spreading the Message:
A value added benefit of Alee (Alee) attending school this fall is that she is spreading the word about the status of America’s food supply. The title is “What is happening to our food source, and what can we do about it?” She posted her first draft on the DOE. If you’ve not had a chance to read it, check it out:
Great job, Alee! You make us maven-proud!
Online Gardening Journal:
Lillian (Ms. Lilly) shared her wonderful discovery with us on the DOE:
“I was waiting for Marcy to get her package from me so I could tell everyone out there about it. About a year ago I found a free gardeners journal on the web and printed it out. It is great! You can print the pages you want or don't want. Also print as many as you need of any page. I have used it in the past and am getting a new one ready for the coming season.....Mavens go print your journal!” www.homesteadharvest.com
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
We’re one week away from wrapping up the first selection in the Heirloom Mavens Book Club. This week, in the brief pockets of time when we are not doing Christmas activities, we will be discussing Chapters 17 and 18 – “Celebration Days: November-December” and “What Do You Eat in January?” Remember you can follow the discussion at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=597 in the henhouse or in the HHM/HM Henhouse Connection thread http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556
Also this book is one of the requirements for the Farm Kitchen “Know Your Food” Beginner Level badge. See the Teresa Sue’s “Badge Alert!!!!” post for more info: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1
**** FUTURE ATTRACTIONS ****
Heirloom Minor at Farmgirl U
The curriculum is nearing completion. Be watching on the DOE for an announcement from Rene in the near future.
Guess Who’s Coming to PBS…(Part 2)
Did you see it? The video for Farmer’s Almanac TV on PBS? Read Rene’s blurb at http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26916 then click on the video and settle in for a wonderful visit with MaryJane and Meg.
**** REMINDERS ****
American Farmland Trust – www.farmland.org – still needs your vote. Please support them by letting them know your priorities so that America’s farm and ranch lands can be preserved.
Monday Maven Madness: If you have trouble remembering the when the chatting begins, follow Dawn’s example and set an alarm! Then join us for at 9pm EST, 6pm PST, every Monday evening.
Here’s where you can find information on badges the mavens are currently working toward:
Beginner Farm Kitchen Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1
Beginner Farmgirl Gratitude Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=637
Beginner Bustin’ Out Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=638
Remember to check out Our Mother Hen’s nest box in the henhouse where she will be laying her eggs filled with gardening tips, tidbits and treasures. It’s labeled as the bulletin board, but Nest Box is much more mavenly, dontcha think? http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=169
Be sure to check out maven Tina’s online magazine, Small Town Living at www.stliving.net
The Heirloom Mavens Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future bumper stickers are now available. For more information, go to the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667
You can use PayPal to purchase Heirloom Maven bumperstickers, bracelets and to donate to the Maven Scholarship Fund ( http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=89 )
Check out the Heirloom Maven blog site at www.heirloommavens.blogspot.com
When possible, purchase books through Seed Savers Exchange to support their efforts in saving heirloom seeds for future generations www.seedsavers.org
Mark your calendars for the first annual Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=568
If you get lost in the Heirloom Maven lingo, you can find the lingo list in the Beginner’s Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=582
That’s all for this week, mavens. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send me an e-mail and I will get back with you a.s.a.m.p. In the meantime, have a great week and see you in the DOE and/or henhouse.
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
Edited by - LivingWell4You on Dec 06 2008 08:26:13 AM |
|
|
marcy jo
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Marcy
Wawaka
Indiana
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2008 : 08:37:02 AM
|
Thanks Karen!! I can't wait for the next one to catch me up or remind me of things!!!
Marcy #257
When I stand before God at the end of my life I hope that I would not have a bit of talent left and could say “I used everything You gave me”.(erma bombeck) |
 |
|
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2008 : 08:47:35 AM
|
Karen, I just want to say one more time how very appreciated you are. Thank you so much for the latest edition! Helps keep me focused and do I ever need that!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
MJ's Heirloom Maven's Librarian
|
|
|
|
LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2008 : 09:05:06 AM
|
Thanks, Marcy!
And Annika, keeping focus is one of the reasons I do it - I need focus, I really, really need focus!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
|
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
|
|
Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 10:44:34 AM
|
Thank you Karen, I love how you take our ramblings and condense them into a fine stew, lol
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
MJ's Heirloom Mavens Badgebadger
MJ's Heirloom Mavens Bookclub Coordinator
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
|
|
|
Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
|
|
graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 10:56:31 AM
|
Yet again you amaze me Karen - and actually my cutting arm is now much more muscular than the other!!
Thanks for doing this each week, it helps on weeks when I get a little behind
And yes, the art of letter-writing is worth knowing.
I love getting letters, although it is fun conversing in real-time too.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
|
|
| |
Farmgirl Chapter Chatter: The Mavens' Haven - December 6, 2008 |
|
|
|
The Mavens' Haven - December 6, 2008
