Mis Trabajadores (My Workers)

This is a tribute to all the hardworking men who slogged it out every week for 3 months in Mira Flores.  I watched them sweat, shovel, mix, shovel, pour, plant, and shovel some more.  The whole time they were pleasant and always willing to help.  

Freddy

Antonio

Alex

Rigoverto

Ariel

Jery

Nelson

                                                                      

Everyone working hard.

At least they are above the waterline

Making Lemonade

This is the first time I have called our 'vacation spot' a home.  I truly feel like this is where I will be spending more and more time in years to come.  The natural changes to our property was a blessing in disguise. 

 We made lemonade out of lemons, instead of walking away discouraged and depressed.  

This trip to Nicaragua was truly incredible.  I met so many people and felt very welcomed into the larger community...El Zapote, Los Cordonnes, Gran Pacifica, Playa San Diego, Gringo Hill, California, and Masachapa.   Wow.  Who knew there were so many people here...both local Nicaraguans and travellors from far away..  Having a better grasp of the language was definitely a help.  While I am not perfect in my spanish I have learned to hold a conversation. 

...and from someone who likes to talk...this is very important to me. 

The New 'Betz' Pool

Well, this is a Betz, making a Betz Pool.  Not exactly following code, not exactly how the team back home would construct it, but it looks good and it holds water just fine.  

https://www.betzpools.com

 

NicaLove Animal Rescue

Meet Elisa, Lester and Julie.  

An incredible team of dedicated individuals helping to serve all four-leggers of Nicaragua. Julie is the creator and organizer of NicaLove:  an animal welfare organization serving animals and those who care for them in some of the most vulnerable communities in Nicaragua.  Established in 2013 NicaLove organizes clinics for wellness, sterilizations, adoptions, vaccinations, and surgeries for dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and many others.  

Picking off ticks

Each animal gets a piece of tape on their head for identification

Me and my neighbour, Eneyda, with our collective  brood of dogs.  Essentially I feel these dogs are mine too as I feed them daily, and often.  They come to greet me as if I am their owner, and through a lot of discipline I have taught her dogs to stay out of my house, while my dogs are allowed entrance.   

Check out their website at https://nicalove.org/ for more info. 

Mi Bigote

'bigote'...means mustache in spanish and on my design plan this sitting wall looks like a lovely handlebar mustache

As with most of my landscape designs, I always have a place for random gatherings of people that works for one, or many.  It is usually away from the norm.  This wall is perfect for sitting on to watch the river and the birds.  At night is offers a spectacular view of the stars and the path of the moon, with all the lights behind you.