Second of two

November 12, 2012

For comments: paulafhill60@gmail.com

Was privileged to attend to the chopping, peeling, slicing and dicing of snappish scallions, white crisp onions, resistant cabbage, limpish kale, pungent garlic cloves and sturdy manioc for our most substantial meal of the day. Oh how I adore being productive though I had to take a break and sit for a bit since it strained my “good” leg while standing too long at the expansive kitchen sink.

Mohawk bearing Matteus was hard at work sanding the French doors on the backside of the house this morning. He is easily sidetracked so persistent Jo enlisted me to encourage him stay on track. He is thirteen, I pointed out, it is clearly an issue of challenging his natural talent for diversion. If I promote his ego by reinforcing a job well done he will persevere. In the end, a reward of a flavorful stick of my chewing gum entices him, all the better! 

I failed to hear the faint hum of McFab’s motorcycle. He abruptly appeared around the bent foliage of the front fencing with Right Hand Man advancing by his side. Despite their full toothed smiles and cheerful energy, Preta stayed by my side in the direct path between McFab and me. Her eager beady eyes penetrated through the slits in her grungy fur surrounding her sweet face.  Preta is certainly not menacing simply protective and watchful.  

McFab cooed over the obvious improvement of my healing ankle, insisting he review the progressive pics I have stored on my Ipod, The continued, though significantly reduced, swelling is normal as is the ominous red discoloration of my foot. I am able to bend my injured ankle up and down though not back and forth as yet.

I raised numerous questions about my impending rehabilitation and the much anticipated opportunity to travel and move on from this farm. McFabulous assured me it takes time and numerous progressive steps. After the long-awaited x-ray and subsequent reassurance the bones are set correctly, I can instigate the physical therapy.  I will continue to use two crutches to begin bearing weight on my wounded foot, then I switch to maneuvering with only one crutch then exchanging it for a cane and finally I will be self-motorized! It could take up to two months of rehabilitation yet I count on not having to remain here in Capinzal for the duration of physical therapy. At least I hope not for I am certain they are “saco cheio” of me and my long face! I can access another physical therapist or perhaps acupuncturist to assist me in my recuperation.

Ana was unable to inquire after my package at the post office due to an ordeal while shopping in town. Unfortunately there was much tribulation at the home store, consequently she was too stressed-out to stand in the endless line at the correios. Troublesome feelings take over and I am overwhelmed with discouragement. Was so looking forward to opening a box of goodies from my good friend, Marlys. There is also a certain satisfaction in waiting if only the anticipation it creates.

Tall, dark and dangerously handsome animated youth, Marlon (one of the five-just found out about the fifth offspring that belong to the couple that live on the farm) approached me gingerly as I lie prone in bed with my iced foot perpetually propped up on a pillow. He heard through the grapevine that I am sequestered here, a native English speaker and is welcoming the chance to take advantage and having language class with me. His friend from school is also very excited for the prospect of formulating grammatically correct sentences, improving his vocabulary and pronouncing words correctly. They have been studying English for a year and even in the few short weeks I have remaining on the farm, in this bed, incapable of frolicking through the fields, I have much to teach them. Large bright remarkably blue eyes follow my emphatic insistence that the two of them come as often as their action-packed teen lives allow them to. I look forward to preparing an intensive lesson plan to challenge the two studious and enthusiastic young men.

Round about 2:00 a cute as a button, olive skinned, perfectly shaped, exotic looking teen named Cristine materialized at my door. Word is getting out that I am available for English class! Cristine had her English lesson book with her. I was not surprised to see grammar errors in the chapter. Sad but true! It is a government issued paperback published this year. Three hours later, joined by Marlon (very timid and slow to make a stab in the dark not wanting to look silly in front of this Madonna) and Marquinhos (who was the quickest to jump in and attempt to translate for us perhaps since he and I have been vigorously working together for the past few weeks) I was finishing up our lesson. It is more difficult to stop the class since we didn’t have a set time and the teens continued to bombard me with titles of songs and expressions they have learned along the way. I arranged to have them all return tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm. We shall see just how devoted they are…

Bugs are surrounding me in preparation for attack so I will “close down” the house.