I don't think I will ever get my fingernails clean

I started out with gloves but I like to feel the dirt while I am planting. I think I am done for the day and will wait and see how it takes. I planted 3 of the bottom areas with cucumbers, peas and cantaloupe. I will see if any of it grows. I would love to add the crown of thorns but I am concerned it will get too big.

I have a wire basket with an orchid sitting on the left end. I need to do research to figure out what to do with it. You may remember the big leafed plant was there but Gerardo said it was a weed and removed it. I have to guard the pink and green leafed plant because he says that is a weed too but I really like it. See my pineapple? There are 4 and peas and 2 mint plants from Aura's husband, who just died. So far I have 2 kinds of mint, oregano, Rosemary, something for your stomach and insulina which is a natural insulin. Haven't tried it because I am not sure which one it is. I have a lot of green plants.

Here is from the other direction.

I still have an assortment of places to plant and as I use them up the crooks and crevices will pop out and give me more spots to stick little plants. I need low things to plant inside the red bricks but all in all it is coming along really well. I have tons of sticks from the Christmas trees if I need them to support things and I have plenty of extra zarong if I need to protect them a bit. Time will tell.

And, I promise, there will not be a daily report on this area.

Ana came into the courtyard with a big bag and emptied it out. She picked up one of the items and carried it over here and up to the planter. She brought me the 3 big red rocks. The one I added some dirt and hen and chicks. The purple daisies on top are for Heather. She loves them. I have aloe from Red and Linda and Christmas Cactus from Heather. Lots of succulents from Gerardo and Ana and one from one of the craft ladies, hen and chicks from Janice and Jack. I love that.

At the edge of my porch are tall green leaves. It now has an addition. First one since I got here.

They are so beautiful and last quite a while even when cut.

As long as I am talking growing, here is an update on the corn and sunflowers.

It will be easier to see once the soccer field is mowed and I weed. I am hoping the mowing will happen tomorrow.

I learned yesterday one of the craft ladies is going to be in the Paraiso Independence Day Parade. I need to find out when it is on Thursday so I can go. She invited me to join her, she said she had a skirt for me to wear, but I don't think that is going to happen.

I made some new friends today from posting on the Gardening blog. One is a student in Cartago studying English and Italian. He and his mother loved the planter so I said I would bring Emilio and we would have coffee. Wait till he finds out I make cookies!