This past week it rained fish (several inches long). Apparently sometimes fish are swept up in powerful storms in the ocean and deposited inland during rainstorms. Some of the children kept fish as pets while others stuffed them in their pockets.

For several weeks, Javier, Harlan and Dwain have been keeping an eye on a hen caring for her nest of 12 eggs. Early Friday morning Dwain found the feathery remains of her. One cold chick struggling for life was nestled among the other 11 eggs. He brought chick and eggs into the house. Under a lamp they began to hatch. During school the Horst children enjoyed watching one emerge from its shell. We currently have 9 chicks happily chirping in a box in our living room. The chicks have received lots of visits from La Finca children.



Friday afternoon as part of Spanish class, we visited restaurants and small grocery shops in Valle to request their participation in supplying organic compost material for the garden at La Finca. Most were happy to help, and we now have a schedule in place. Throughout the week Dwain will visit the restaurants and grocery shops to collect organic compost. This conversation with town folks also introduced us to a butcher who saved beef bones for Dwain. Dwain burned them and plans to crush them to create bone meal for the garden.

Saturday evening Janelle hosted a birthday party for Zack. We had fun attending along with Alonso and Michelle’s family, Angel and Berta’s children, Andrea and some of the older children from La Finca. Zack ordered chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate ice cream.


Along with other gifts, he enjoyed playing with frog that could be blown up into a bouncy balloon.



Below: Dwain, Alonso, Caleb, Zack, Harlan


Children in the high school and university had off school Monday and Tuesday due to teacher strikes. This meant more help in the garden for Dwain. Dwain continues to make nightly rounds through the garden, battling zompopos. They seem to have made a comeback. Dwain was pleased with the large head of lettuce he harvested this week.

And, the first marigold bloom blossomed in the hanging tomato/marigold/nasturtium baskets Dwain created.

Also, Saturday evening Dwain investigated the cattle roaming on La Finca property near garden. He discovered several oxen had been tethered there. Apparently the plowing team has arrived at La Finca.