The Quest for Tierra Negra
07.05.2010
I set out this week with the intention to get a jump on my garden and start a few plants in seed boxes. The construction on the boxes went ok, but the dirt was holding me up. The soil here is something like a slimey clay mixture. All of my literature suggested buying potting soil from the hardware store, obviously no an option. I thought I’d take my chances and just start the plants in the regular soil that I broke up a bit. My host dad promptly interfered saying that it was not the thing to do. He spoke of a place ‘a dentro’, on the inside, where you can find tierra negra. He pulled out a handful of the black topsoil just like that of the hardware stores. “How do I get this dirt?” I asked. He replied, “by horse, Machachie will take you”. It took all week to figure who Machachie was and it turns out that muchachi is the Ecuadorian version for muchacho and I was just supposed to ask a guy with a horse. In the meantime, I stumbled upon some tierra negra on my way to feed the pigs and I think I’ll just take matters into my own hands.
We had some heavy rains roll in over the weekend, knocking out the power for a few days. The good part was that without running water, telephone, internet, and TV you hardly even notice that it’s missing. The one thing that I did miss was my heavy duty 3-speed isolating fan, my guilty splurge of 1/5 of my monthly stipend. It seems like the extra rain has also left the bug situation slightly out-of-control. Last night I had already skimmed greater than five bugs out of my hot canella drink, when the lights went out again. I didn’t find any more after that. I guess with some things, you’re better left in the dark.
Amber
Thanks for remembering my B day
Yes I am fifty. We all went to Red Lobster for dinner and had a great time. Alisha has finished College. Tuesday grades will be posted. We are going to have a surprize party up at Stacey's tomorrow for Her. I don't think we will be able to have it on the deck. It is going to rain to tomorrow and only be about 47 deg. I enjoyed your pictures keep sending them. it is good to see photos of you. I will have to email you pictures of the wedding it is Less that two weeks away. Make sure to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I will need all the help I can get to keep the stress level down with Alisha.
Love you
and miss you
Aunt Tammy
07.05.2010 by Aunt Tammy