The Rain

Yesterday it began to rain in Vilcabamba, I expect it will rain on the farm in the next day or two. Thank Nature, I am so sick of sprinklers and constant irrigation! Lucas and crew have gotten three beds in the the giant garden double dug, and a ton of rocks have been removed. He says we will see rocks for another 30 years or so there were so many. But champion job getting the beds ready to plant just before the planting rains! 50 banana trees we can pick up on Friday, plus a bunch of cafe plants! Yeah!
The new land is looking good, altho dry as we did not open the irrigation there yet, just too many weeds to water! The ditch is 3/4 done, what a job to get that reestablished after 5 years of landslides and rain clogging it up. Again, Lucas and crew! Next job will be to open the road, but thats gonna take a tractor and a bit of money.
I deleivered a baby last weekend, nice birth. Uma came to us, his name means water. It actually did rain breifly for his birth. Anyone coming to watch me work as a midwife must realize that I am only delivering babies rarely, when the need arises. Sometimes I dont see a birth for a month or two, and I do not advertise. So dont expect much action if thats your goal. We deliver a baby and then go home and garden, organic sustainable farming being my primary goal.
I just found out about a cheap and easier type of one year visa for people, but we need a non profit status for the US to do it. Anyone who reads this and feels up to the task please email me!
Charles Cuttings murals on the farm and in tumianuma are online! To see them go to www.flickr.com and search for Charles Photos
With rains eeveryone who comes will need shoes they can wet and shoes to wander aroun by the house while the wet ones dry (which sometimes akes a bit). Please everyone look for leg warmers, they are like socks without toes. With those you can wear flops and not get your ankles so bit up, the black flies and sand fleas love ankle meat.
I am trying to get together a WISH LIST,so here goes for a few things-
Solar flashlights
12 v. accessories of any kind
towels
sheets, full or twin, fitted or flat
blankets, any size
elastic or drawstring waisted pants (one size fits all)
T shirts for work and play
manual blender!!
Big stainless or cast iron pots and pans- we really need all sizes pots and pans, everything here is aluminum or very costly. Stainless bowls with lids are good too.

coffee cups, fill them with your undies or socks so they dont break on the trip! This is thrift shop item, as are most of these, get them for 10 cents apiece. Do not buy them new, we can pay those prices here, altho lesser quality!
Leg warmers, any size
chaco sadals, chong style, size 7 or 8
any good shoes in sizes womans 7, 8 or 9, mens size 9 and 10
kids shoes and clothing, any sizes, but really good stuff
Thanks all and come and join us soon! Tina