Weather Report

While we may not always have electricity and the water goes out from time to time, we do have wonderful weather. After reading the weather reports for Chicago, Indiana and even Las Vegas, I can tell you that the weather here is beautiful and nothing like what the U.S. is experiencing right now. I don't know the temperature since I don't have an outdoor thermometer, but I just stepped out in flannel pants and a t-shirt and it's delightful -- sunny and just a little bit cool with the promise of a mild day ahead.

Although this is supposed to be the dry season, we still get enough rain that I haven't had to water the garden. The tomatoes are coming along nicely. We've already harvested one crop of beans and the peas. We're not talking huge amounts here. We had enough beans for a couple of meals with leftovers and the pea pods went in the fried rice to add variety to about three meals. However, when the tomatoes start to ripen, we should have a bumper crop with plenty to share with our friends and neighbors.

Saturday Bry'Chell and I put in three more rows of peas and tied up a couple dozen tomato plants. We hunted up some string and went in search of sticks, both of which we found. It was good to get out and work in the dirt. I like having a garden. Bry'Chell says she wants to plant a tree when we get back to Chicago. I told her we have to check with our landlord, but I have no objections.

Campus is quiet. Most folks are gone to wherever home happens to be, usually some small village several hours from here. We're leaving Wednesday afternoon to go to Fr. Henry's home it's not really that far, but it will take a couple of hours since it's mostly dirt roads. He asked if we had any special needs. Other than boiled or purified water, we really don't. I'm looking forward to getting off campus. We'll be back on Friday.

With most people gone, the birds have arrived. I mean big birds, carnivores--although we're in no danger since they eat carrion, not live things. Bry'Chell was hoping they might take care of our yowling cats. Unless the cats stay very still, it's not likely. Too bad.