Nearly 2 weeks of living on our small farm in Colombia & beginning to ease into it — to breathe better, in unison with living things and the earth:
I get up around 7:30 am and, instead of thinking it’s too early, slip into my boots and head out to water our garden.
This is when the magic begins… The sun has already just cleared the mountains and the misty water leaving the hose looks like golden rain, which the soil drinks, gratefully.
The soul, too, is rewarded by the beautiful blossoming and blooming of these magnificent living beings, radiant in the Light, that we all need to grow and transform.
Rather than rushing to return to my desk and sedentary life, I linger a little longer to weed. I note how the weeds (lovely as they may be) are choking new plants we’ve added to our garden, as well the noble Royal palms which have shot up from humble seeds we collected (from under a bridge in Florida, 6 months ago).
How amazing the Life Force is — in all its forms!
After this trancelike and rewarding session watering the plants and trees, breathing in the pure mountain air and admiring the great white birds soaring overhead—like clean linen, folding and unfolding in the clear blue skies—I head back to my work station.
Here's a little ode I wrote in honor of my new lifestyle and the natural poetry -- mysticism, even -- of living closer to Nature:
Living on a Farm
Strange, I'm beginning
to view a little dirt
under my fingernails
as a badge of honor...
Soil is good for the soul.
Now, I can sit with my coffee and indulge in further birdwatching and reflection, before turning on my computer. All of this I recognize as a form of prayer and thanksgiving.
We have made some headway in attempting to coexist with the omnipresent mosquitos — Deet and an electric zapper work to an extent. The mosquito net, we installed recently, has been a great help, granting us a decent night’s sleep. Meantime, we learned that Rosemary & Lavender are natural repellents (they’re even in my deodorant, above).
Yesterday, following a trip to the city (Medellin) we acquired plants, below, including Basil 🌿 another natural mosquito repellent which I use for cooking, alongside garlic, which apparently works, too, and is part of many of our meals.
This morning, I was fortunate to get a closer look and picture of the sky-blue bird that perches on a tree by our small home — also favored by exquisite hummingbirds (too skittish to capture) as well as many other colored birds: red, yellow, and mixed.
Much to learn and share about birds life here, which is rich and varied in the tropics, as are their flowers and fruits.
Here’s another peek into our outdoor kitchen and a simple meal that I prepared of thin meat and onions, alongside potatoes.
My wife, and farm partner is a powerhouse. In addition to waking up before me to water, and working full days, has taken in the farmer’s daughter, who skipped school today.
The idea is that my wife will help the little one with math (her forte & a foreign language to me) & I will assist her with English language (my passion).
Have a blessed day — wherever you may be and whatever you are doing — and thank you, for your attention 🙏🏽✨