Backyard Progress...
February 23, 2013
March 17, 2013
I live in a tropical dream-land; actually it is my present day reality.
We are feeling a little pressure to get a few projects done before Bob and Kathy arrive; in two days. Or at least that is our excuse to work in the hot sun and dirt, all day long. But before a long day of work, we started the morning with a surprise head high surf session and only 4 other people out in the water.
My hands ache and my face is stained dark brown from the sun. I have a collection of mosquito bites and I wonder when the inevitable 'pinche' dengue bite will come.
For the first time ever, I have planted my vegetable seeds directly into the soil; rather than potting them inside; next to a sunny window, while waiting for the snow outside to melt away. The seeds seem to be growing at an exponential pace. Racing the scorching sun, humidity, and rains that will annihilate my leafy greens when June arrives. That is, if they aren't eaten by some crazy insect first.
Our neighbor Margot, who was the first person to live up on this solitary hill; with no electricity or water, she is our biggest helper. She teaches us how to live in the tropics, tries not to laugh when we do something ridiculous, and tells us stories of the hillside.
We are feeling a little pressure to get a few projects done before Bob and Kathy arrive; in two days. Or at least that is our excuse to work in the hot sun and dirt, all day long. But before a long day of work, we started the morning with a surprise head high surf session and only 4 other people out in the water.
My hands ache and my face is stained dark brown from the sun. I have a collection of mosquito bites and I wonder when the inevitable 'pinche' dengue bite will come.
For the first time ever, I have planted my vegetable seeds directly into the soil; rather than potting them inside; next to a sunny window, while waiting for the snow outside to melt away. The seeds seem to be growing at an exponential pace. Racing the scorching sun, humidity, and rains that will annihilate my leafy greens when June arrives. That is, if they aren't eaten by some crazy insect first.
Our neighbor Margot, who was the first person to live up on this solitary hill; with no electricity or water, she is our biggest helper. She teaches us how to live in the tropics, tries not to laugh when we do something ridiculous, and tells us stories of the hillside.
 Margot passed along some banana rhizomes for us to plant. Bananas are actually a plant (from the herb family); not a tree. |  Papaya from our house and Noni from Margot's backyard, next door. The neighbors share their ripe fruits with each other. Plenty of bananas and mango coming in mid April; some jack fruit and guava shortly after. |
 Every persons 'fruit-picking' stick varies. Margot's is made of bamboo with a metal paint scrapping chisel that is duct taped. We need to make our own very soon! |  Papaya picking from the tree in our front yard; with the help of Margot's D.I.Y stick. Funny thing about the bucket...all four papayas rolled down the hill. Margot, our 75 year old neighbor went down the steep hillside after them; as we were still trying to navigate the thick bushes (and fear of what was under them). |
