A SEED IS LIFE

Today we had a couple of really informative and inspiring classes.  One was a GROW BIOINTENSIVE overview which I took as a refresher and the other was all about seeds and developing a seed bank.  I'm getting emotional that Samuel is leaving the country for the last few days of my internship.  I was able to ask loads of questions about my future garden and can't wait to get going on it.

In fact, I think I am slightly obsessing about starting my very own garden.  I think about it at least 6 or 8 times a day and feel like I am brimming with ideas of things to try and Samuel has given me a couple of great suggestions too.

Talked to my cousin, sister and Grandmother recently which really makes my heart feel all warm and happy.  I also ate homemade pizza that was a true team effort between myself, Juan and Rodrigo (my fellow interns).  I ate three huge pieces!  These little bits of joy keep me feeling connected to home even though I'm halfway around the world.

Jack was a nightmare today.  I had to take him to the COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN MUD center to get his last vaccine (so he can fly with me!).  He acted like he was possessed by demons the entire day.  Barking all the time, biting me and behaving like a dog I'd never met.  My only guess is that he was overwhelmed by the loads of people and started feeling super defensive.  I still love the little shit.  This morning I found him curled up in the very corner of his outside space on top of a pile of random junk that is stored out there.  He was wet and it was just dumping rain and I was 100% baffled as to why he won't use the little dog house that we built and I moved in there.  What a weirdo.

Was happy to note that the tree tomato seedlings I had transplanted on Saturday all looked strong and content.  My four melon seedlings are doing great and a few of my Lamu okra babies are looking good too.  Of the four Moringa tree seeds I planted, only one looks good.  Another is trying to come up but is really much smaller.  Sharif's coconuts are still hanging on throughout the torrential rains and the onions and spinach we planted in the USAID research bed on Saturday somehow survived too.

I'm totally avoiding the packing process.  I keep sweeping my room and looking for things to give away (my favorite thing to do with all my stuff when I move).  I really enjoy that process of purging. 

And now for something completely different...

One thing I am learning about being a gardener/grower/mini farmer is that patience is seriously paramount. Especially in planning a garden.  Selecting which things can grow in your climate and will do well in your soil, collecting seeds, processing seeds, bed preparation, time for collecting compost, and time for it to cure (sometimes 3 months!), etc. etc. etc. etc.  Such investments in time and energy have never had as much allure as these challenges do for me.  In this case the reward seems twenty times over worth the effort.  I love picturing my future garden and my friends helping me work in it.  And here I am once again going on and on about my future garden.  Apparently I really am a bit obsessed.  In my defense I think the obsession is healthy and positive.

Tomorrow Dorcus and I are bringing seeds and planting a few beds at the children's home about an hour and 15 minutes from the center.  I can't wait to spend time with one of my favorite people doing one of my favorite things.  I am really going to miss her.  I love the way she always laughs in surprise when I say something slightly outspoken.

Hello to my loyal readers around the world : ).  I'd love to hear from you wherever you are.