The Ranch: A story of the predictable but completely unexpected

by Mary Jane Miller

Describes life on any Rancho in Mexico in the early 70's, situations familiar as well as amusing. Like Water for Chocolate, these twelve short stories of love unfold in the Mexican desert. As a young woman I was introduced to one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English. Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure in Mexico packed with anthropological moments that come to life. Whether getting water or getting married humans change little from one generation to the next. The love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering. The stories are written and formatted side by side for ease to learn Spanish or learn English. The translations are unique as a testament and educational. I have told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The love stories are meant to cross cultures and bring joy to anyone who is learning to bridge two worlds through the language of communication from Spanish into English. Twelve short stories unfold as Mary Jane discovers love in the desert for the first time. The Ranch by Mary Jane Miller describes Mexico in the early 70's, a time forgotten with behaviors and lifestyles left for the history books. She offers a glimpse through humorous events and activities you might find have found on any ranch around the country. There is no doubt that our human capacity for love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering. Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure packed with anthropological moments that come to life. " I was introduced to a lifestyle on a ranch outside San Miguel Allende and one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English ". Whether getting water or getting married humans have changed little from one generation to the next. The love story about an American in Mexico was written and formatted side by side for easy translation from Spanish to English. The translations reveal the subtle difference between cultures, and sometimes Miller's comical determination to be understood. Mary Jane has told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The stories cross cultures and educate anyone learning to bridge two worlds, a bi lingual account of an adventure in Mexico in 1974. The subject matter stimulates great conversation regardless of learning Spanish or studying English.

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2020

About the author

I have a mind full of classic and contemporary icon images, journals filled with words and concepts, it represents a cacophony of fragments brought together with the help of an editor.

I have used Lulu.com for self publishing and then of course Amazon to publish. Mostly this direction is the result of publishing full color books. Publishers are not willing to take a risk because of the expense. Up until now, I have been offering my words and images to a nitch market. The dedication and commitment for Iconography and prayer, comes from my heart and mind.

Getting up at night and writing or painting an idea down is delight. It is common for most artists to work alone fro long periods of time. In the middle of a the inspiration and work we fine out it is not always the middle, creative things happen, we let go of one direction, and wonder off the landscape of the initial outline. My advice is be faithful to your heart.

The latest book In Light of Women is about the absence of women in iconography, and their silent voices in the Christian church. The book includes the images from my latest collection of original icons. They have been a delight to see in print.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Ranch is part romance, history lesson, and all-around master storytelling. If you are in search of an engaging group of short stories, you have found it here. Mary Jane Miller brings the reader into her experience in a most enjoyable way. You feel that you are standing along side her as she navigates her adventure as a young woman on her own in Mexico. I loved the book from start to finish. Having the Spanish translation there is an extra bonus for those studying English or Spanish.

[Jasmine Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an incredible read! This real life story, (that reminded me of some of my very own experiences living in Mexico for my own first few years: In love with the country, the people and a man who included me into every part of his world, which I may never had experienced) had me hysterically laughing one moment and then crying, sweetly, the next. Because it is written in both English (on the left) y Español (en la derecha), you can read it in your own language, or even in both (while giving either your English or Spanish a boost). Either way it's quite unique. I'm glad to have come across such an extraordinary tale of of the heart, and how we sometimes 'find' ourselves in the most unlikely of places. In Mary Jane's experience...she needed an extreme shift in her daily living and was willing to take a risk. So, with finger to map, she was off to Mexico to find her new life (maybe it wasn't her first choice, but she was Open, and willing to throw it all in for an extreme change, in language, lifestyle and all of those things that hadn't been working for her, 'at home'). She bravely took the leap and within 24hrs she found herself falling in love....but not just with Mexico, itself. This book really did touch me. I remember those first few days, then years, in Mexico. I don't want to give too many spoilers, but I will say, this book may challenge you to consider what it means to live your Best life...and that sometimes we need something new to challenge us both inside And outside of ourselves to really learn what that means. This a short, but potent, emotional and exciting read. You might just find Yourself closing your eyes and pointing to that magical place on your own map: Or at least reading the story of what happens to Mary Jane as she did!!

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough online materials available to learn Spanish and conversations that are this well written and interesting. This is her first memoir I only wish it was a bit longer. The Ranch describing life in Mexico, a story of the predictable and completely unexpected is n accurate title for a collection of short stories that all revolve in some way around food. The book is an easy read in the past tense, it is a crosscultural understanding between two souls in love and star-struck by circumstance. I saw online that Mary Jane paints icons, now this story is a switch from that topic. Hearing her story about when she was young was such a surprise, Thank you for sharing Mary Jane.

[Ruth Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am mexican and have always wonder about the experience foreigners visitors have when they come to Mexico for their vacations or studies. They come for a short time and suddenly that short time turns into years. What is it that Mexico has that makes foreigners want to make this their home.
This book is hilarious, it take you to a Mexican experience that even some mexicans have not had. It takes you to the roots. And allows you to see it through Mary Jane´s eyes, beautiful with no judgements, just pure delight. It made me get the feeling I was watching a beautiful movie.

[Elita Sica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book of short stories is exceptionally well written. The writing is thoughtful and precise, very easy to understand both in english and spanish. The photos are excellent in giving visual examples of a day at the ranch. I am really excited about the content and grateful to the author. Her journey is a treatise on study and learning and praying into another culture, from the US to Mexico. Filled with love, this bilingual read is a gem. I love it!

[Jane McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi!
If you are looking to learn Spanish and English here is an ideal book for your bookshelf. I had an easy time reading each language translated side by side. I found it helpful for conversation and common phrases all wrapped up in a love story and memoir.
And Mary Jane, so romantic!

[Aletrealanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight of what the situation was like back in the 70's on the authors bi cultural story. Such a beautiful book.

[Mary Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

For parallel reading in English and Spanish, a wonderful memoir set in 1974 when I lived with my boyfriend on his parents ranch in Mexico, They spoke no English and I spoke no Spanish. Beauty and love can teach us a lot, not to mention unfamiliar situations that revolve around food.
Twelve short stories unfold as Mary Jane discovers love in the desert for the first time. The Ranch by Mary Jane Miller describes Mexico in the early 70's, a time forgotten with behaviors and lifestyles left for the history books. She offers a glimpse through humorous events and activities you might find have found on any ranch around the country. There is no doubt that our human capacity for love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering.

Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure packed with anthropological moments that come to life. “ I was introduced to a lifestyle and one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English ”. Whether getting water or getting married humans have changed little from one generation to the next.

The stories are written and formatted side by side for easy translation from Spanish to English. The translations reveal the subtle difference between cultures, and sometimes Miller's comical determination to be understood. Mary Jane has told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The stories cross cultures and educate anyone learning to bridge two worlds. The subject matter stimulates great conversation regardless of learning the language, in Spanish or English.

[Mary Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever and insightful and fun read about the culture of ranch life in Mexico in 1975