Hand-Cranked Laundry

yep, it's true. In addition to my bike water-pumping, I now enjoy daily arm workouts via this inventive contraption:
We borrowed the idea from the folks at Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica. La Lavadura Manual consists of a simple 25 gallon plastic barrel in a rotating metal cage
filled with fresh water and bio-degradable soap, in which our dirty garments are sloshed and churned with the help of four smooth rocks. that's right, rocks. Things are getting more Flintstone around here by the minute. Would you be surprised to see Wilma cranking something like this, then maybe hanging the clothes with the talons of little prehistoric baby birds? neither would I.
Look out, Maytag. We went with a top loading model with simple settings--Water Temperature: cool; Speed: quick wash; Program: heavy soil.
After the initial spin cycle, the dirty water drains out (collected in a bucket to use in the yard),and the rinse cycle commences. I average about 40 rotations for each cycle.
So far I am thoroughly enjoying the system. awesome arm work-outs and "clean" clothes, not a bad combo. of course it has only been one week.....

While awaiting the official rating by the EU's energy grading system,
I'll rate it myself:
Energy Consumption: A+
Washing Performance: B
Spin drying Performance: C
Capacity Water Consumption: B+
Noise: A
suggested additions to the EU system:
Fun: A
Exercise: B+
Benefit to surrounding Flora & Fauna: A+

Landscaping, Take 1

Even as the rain showers came less frequently and my plants displayed a thirsty look, I denied the reality of yet another long, hot Dry Season. I gazed hopefully at passing dark clouds, willing even a short downpour, a fly-by shower, a few measly drops??
Alas, observing the soil change from dark fudge to powdered cocoa I am face to face with my denial. Rainy season is OVER. Hot sun and strong winds parch the garden on a daily basis, leaving me (and the bike-powered water pump) responsible for all watering needs.
The winds are currently my most challenging natural foe. The charming screened doors we designed to encourage constant air flow are now ushering in more than just fresh breezes.

Each morning (and afternoon) fresh piles of dust, dirt, and loose plant matter remind me that my novice landscaping of the practically bare dirt area surrounding the house is, indeed, novice.

Note the whimsical lack of window pane

Scraggly weeds have sprouted up in unseemly patches amongst which I am attempting to grow more attractive ground cover, such as the clover-like maní,

whose hearty roots and cheery yellow flowers have no problem taking over my garden, but here display an uncharacteristic shyness.

Despite its green paint job, our chain link fence remains a monstrous metallic eyesore; AND fortunately, the ideal medium for climbing plants! While the luffa tackles one end, a strategically placed passionflower vine is winding its way along the opposite end.

I eagerly await its fantastic blooms and tangy fruit ;)

Other attempts at beautification include a nopal cactus wall:

Amazingly robust, nopal, or prickly-pear cactus, sprouts new "pads" when nestled into basically any soil; not to mention they are edible!
Nicaraguan cuisine, by the way, does not feature nopal cactus. It does grow well here, is touted as a therapeutic superfood, and with the help of a Mexican chef, tastes delicious!
So if nothing else, we'll be dining on farm fresh prickly pear. I am really hoping that the cashew, coconut, cacao, and guava trees will also prosper, growing to great shady heights & producing copious amounts of tasty fruit. [All of these are, at this point, tiny saplings braving the desert-like conditions of my backyard and worse, my fledgling landscaping abilities.]

Garden Rainbow

For the sake of all the Nica farmers and of my own little garden plants, I have been grateful for the rains that characterize our wet season here. However, day after day of gray skies has left me feeling a little dull and gray myself. I am always cheered by a rainbow, so when the clouds cleared this morning I went out on a hunt.

this bright red blossom surprised me by popping up in a potted plant I inherited

Amongst my thriving nasturtium i discovered a plucky orange

Lots of gardeners scorn spiky thistle plants, but there's no denying these flowers radiate sunlight

(as if i even had to look), my red bean field is currently a carpet of green

I guess i'm out of luck in the blue plant category...

but what a finish with this splash of violet!

i trimmed a cutting of this from a store front garden in town ;) Not sure what it is.

This felt a little Mr. Rogers, but i admit it cheered me up!

Bicycle Water Pump

Since WATER is the biggest health issue in the world, it is no surprise that here in Nicaragua people, animals, and plants are all suffering from lack of this most vital nutrient. A brief study (5 minutes, by me) of recent water policy in the region revealed that somewhere between 50 and 80% of Nicaraguans have access to water, with the figures for sanitation of said water being much lower. I'm not about to try to understand the intricate web of bureaucracy and hypocrisy and politics that leaves so many people here without clean water. What i'm focusing on right now is our little town and my thirsty garden.
From what i am told, our water is derived from the ground, pumped and distributed by the water company who expects their bills paid in full and on time, regardless of how often water actually drips out of my sink and shower. Due to poorly functioning pumps, the municipal water supply is rationed--in town we usually have water 5 out of 7 days; however out at the farm, en el campo, water flows once every 7-15 days. muy malo. I assume people in this area store up water in whatever containers are at hand, partaking of their valuable resource sparingly. This time of year, dry season, everyone is especially parched, as is the land. No wonder i got so many bewildered faces when i zealously sowed vegetable seed back in March, in the midst of the Dry Hot No-Chance-Of-Rain Season.
Until now, my irrigation system has consisted of these simple tools, plus 2 girly biceps:
Slowly and methodically, sometimes meditatively, i bear water to mis plantitas.

While confident that lots of gardeners use watering cans so why can't i, the increasing heat and drying winds made my job harder and harder. i was haunted by the locals' voices: silly gringa, planting happens in June, the advent of the Wet Season.
Now, armed with almost a full year of weather watching, we are very much looking forward to the generous rains! Until then, and because we will still need potable water in la casita, a very cool project comes in:

BICYCLE WATER PUMP!

On the left under ground is a gigantic white 10,000 liter cistern, filled by the water company. A pipe will (soon) connect from the cistern up to the 2 black tanks on the tower--water will be pumped upward by sheer pedal power!

From there, good old gravity does its work to provide pressure for a beautiful new irrigation system (and from the other tank, water pressure into la casa!)

The inspiration for our crazy eco-bike pump came from here http://www.harvesth2o.com/pedaling.shtml
Huge thanks to our favorite farm interns, Bailey and Jocelyn, whose energy and time got this project off the ground, or rather out of the ground? ¡Muy amable, amigos!

busy bees

With the onslought of talented, motivated, and absolutely PHENOMENAL guests, there has not been much time for computers.

there has been time for this:



and then some of this:


Very exciting! i will post details and explanations soon--promise! For now, it is my honor and pleasure to accompany our industrious guests on an off-the-beaten-path tour of Nicaragua.