I think Gerardo is concerned I might be a poor gardner. I asked if I needed a canopy over my garden and he said yes. It is a sheet of fabric with holes to let in some sun and water but it protects the little plants from the severe sun. He figured out I need a piece 8 meters long and 4 meters wide. I asked where I would get it and he grinned and said la colonial, which is of course his store. He brought me a bottle of liquid fertilizer and showed me I use a capful in a liter of water. They don't use any chemicals here in la Quinta so I can be sure it is safe. He said Oscar would be here today to put it up. I am not sure if I am supposed to go get it or he is bringing it but I should know soon. Oscar is here and trimming the bamboo behind - or as they might say, in front of - the garden area. I will definitely post pictures. It is called a sarong or something that sounds like that. I will need to learn how long it stays up - just while the plants are little or the whole growing season. You do see them all over here.
Heather brought me a small bottle of magnesium oil and Otto used it for part of my massage yesterday and it really works good. I am definitely getting the flakes when I am in Oregon to bring back and make my own. It is just the flakes and water.
Now the craft group. They are some very talented women who meet every Thursday at 2:30. There are about 20 ladies but maybe only 6-10 come and some spend an hour, some all afternoon. They bring something to share and have coffee and treats. Emilio had drawn me a map so I didn't have any trouble finding the house they rent. There is a big table and storage to keep all their projects in the main room. Some of the ladies sell what they make but most of them make it for their own use or gifts. Each one is working on something different and they also share their knowledge. One lady was helping another with a crochet stitch. They do crochet with the tiny needles and fine thread. Not like me with the big hooks and yarn. I worked on a dreamcatcher and brought the 3 pot holders. I gave Rosita, Emilio's mother, first choice and while we took a break I passed out papers and pencil for everyone to write their names. I put them in a bag and drew 2 names and gave the other 2 away.
Communicating was a bit of a problem. You know my Spanish! When I got there I explained I was Rosita's friend and they knew I was from Orosi. When she got there she called Emilio and put him on speaker and he translated for us. Then later in the day he stopped in and helped. One of the ladies is a Spanish teacher so I was really careful when I opened my mouth. They asked if I would help them with English and they all went away knowing the word cotton. We were talking about the pot holders and how everything had to be cotton. When I get back from Oregon and bring more batting and cotton thread I am going to do a class and show them how to make them. They insist on paying for the supplies so I can put together kits. I have lots of fabric already cut out but they may want to bring their own, as long as it is all cotton.
I need to make another potholder for Ziomara. Hopefully her family is coming on Sunday and we will go for pizza. I have a jar of guayaba jelly for her husband - he is a big fan.
I did make a double batch of the Chocolate Crinkle cookies Wednesday and took them with me to the craft group. They were a hit and Emilio and his mother started talking about some of the things I have cooked including the Thanksgiving dinner. I ended up telling them how I cooked the sweet potatoes because they loved them and it was so different from how they usually prepare them. I love it!
The clouds are very low today. If I was a little higher up the mountains I would definitely have clouds going thru my house. It is the first day this week that it hasn't been hot and sun shiny. It is also very still, no breeze. Last night I was hearing about high winds on both coasts but so far, not here.
Whatever they are, they are growing. I have also planted some peas, carrots, squash and cucumbers. We think these are peppers.
If you look close you can see a cosmos. I love cosmos. I wonder if the bigger ones are the morning glory. I pretty much never started from seeds before. Just seedlings.
John, look how big your tomatoes are!
Isn't this gorgeous!
I asked how long it took and she said she does one area each evening.
She won one of the pot holders and thought it made a lovely hat.
These are the 3 I brought.
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