After Hours

As on the day of surgery, I had to go with the decision I made and know that it is the best one for me in this moment. I will stay in Registro for a month or until McWonderful/McFab/Physical Therapist feels it is safe and a good decision to leave.

Jo is fussing over the re-model of the house. “The worker is taking advantage of her,” Paulo screwed up some of the shelving in the bunker area and she did a walk-through of the Main House with him. She sat for hours writing out a contract so he was clear about the details of the work that had to be done. Jo is forever busy doing something; cooking loads of food (Dario eats enough for three men) and cleaning, long brisk strolls along the road with her walking stick, cleaning, reorganizing the kitchen and checking on the construction site. We talked about making the fabric bags for the clients again. Jo has a sewing machine that she will bring next time she comes so we can create a pattern. Wish I had the one we used in Port Townsend a few years ago! Figuring out a way to recycle the seed bags from the chicken feed is a challenge since they unravel easily.

If anyone cares to send me a letter, the address of the farm is as follows:

c/o Ana Cristina Bertalot

Sítio Caaetê

Est.do Capinzal, Km 12

Registro, São Paulo

CEP: 11900-000

Cx Postal 381

BRASIL

Something happened to the internet connector in the house on Sunday but thankfully it is up and running now. 

Just re-read Michael Lewis’ “Obama’s Way” from the Vanity Fair article 9/12. What a powerfully insightful and benevolent man we voted into our Oval Office. Can only consider the best outcome from 6/11, Election Day. As I discuss politics with Brasilians, I am ever so grateful for the belief I still have in our government, that people who are in charge of the system really want what is in the peoples’ best interest. More often than not it is not the case in this country.  

Yesterday afternoon the Men in Jeans swooped-in again. I wasn’t expecting them until Thursday. McFab shared he had been up until 4am considering his options. He doesn’t want to “upset the cart” yet is very upset that McWonderful would have allowed me to go for 11 days without changing the bandage on my foot. With the humidity and an open wound he commented it was a surely combination. Ten years ago his sister broke the same bone, had McWonderful as a surgeon and her wounds festered for days which they only discovered after removing the wrapping. They had to scrape the dead skin and her recovery was stretched out for many more days. McFab told me he would complain and encouraged me to talk with McWonderful as well. Said he is a proud surgeon yet ego gets in the way of follow-up. He has experienced it far too many times. McFab is worried since it is a small town but his morals prevent him from remaining silent. Mine too!

So, shucks, I have to be attended by Men in Jeans every day! Since I was invited to the beach where Jo and Jorge live for the weekend (Friday is a holiday) we will make sure I have enough wrappings to clean the wound each day. I cannot be in the sun since the heat generated will keep the wound moist. Plus it is probably not a good idea being exposed while on antibiotics. McFab prescribed one that I must take religiously every six hours. Set my alarm to wake up at midnight and 6am. The side effects are diarrhea. Great!

My envelopes are sticking shut. A consequence of living in a humid environment. Same thing happened in HI. Our clothes smell like mold if they are not dried fully. Most of the towels and blankets emit that fungi odor.

Dial-up connection prevents me from opening Utube, links, taped programs, some photos or Ted.com.  Taking less and less for granted these days. A cool drink of water, a happy dog at my feet, a ceiling fan, my Ipod loaded with various genres of music, thanks to Ian’s patience and understanding.

Hot, hot, hot day! Shredded Xuxu for lunch (a watery version of a squash, bright green and smooth skin. Cukes and beets for salad fixings. Think rice and beans are bubbling on the stove as well. There are plenty of ripe bananas and oranges to snack on.

Ta ta for now!