Second of two

November 12, 2012

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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.

first of two

November 11, 2012

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Sorry I didn’t have the chance to post this yesterday…the internet thingamajig was up in the office and it was pouring rain so no one had the motivation to retrieve it for me. So it is a 2 for 1 day!

The elderly hens are not laying eggs. They continue to “sing” their tribal chant yet it proves to be unproductive. A fine timing juggles the chicken that no longer earns her keep and the youngsters who are just shy of their effectiveness. Yet another dilemma for the dependent farmer. Three past their prime African dessert red hens tossed into the dense back fence, ordered to clear the area for the new brood. I fear for their safety since the back lurking incline holds promise of snakes in the grass as I was warned my first week here. Each time one of the seniors cackled in earnest I scurried out on the dry gray slate verandah to peek in on the imprisoned trio.

Half a loaf, even a steamy buttery slice is better than no bread at all. Sigh. The “girls” are committed to a strict diet. Each meal proves to be a new pronouncement since that bound and determined day. Potatoes, pasta, beer, crackers, thin dried mostly tasteless bread which requires loads of butter, requeijao (cream cheese like product,) veggies loaded with olive oil, cheese and spaghetti with crème de leite (sweet heavy cream like condensed milk) throne the kitchen table. In the dreaded days of boredom and isolation I contemplate chips of any flavor even my least favorite “barbeque” come to mind, rich dark chocolate enveloped in a thin foil surrounded by a bold paper wrap that crinkles with pleasure as it is peeled apart, crisp Gala apples, crunchy sesame sticks in bulk and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream. Hm.

Sweaty beastly hot day. Tortured with indecision as to what to do, what to do! I long for the days when hours seemed fuller and longer, sleep better earned as I worked in the fields and weighed and packaged fresh vegetables traipsing up and down the mountain.

Took the lives of many mosquitoes and contemplated my navel..what did you do today?

In a final note, I want to elaborate a bit about my blog and my observations about the complex and integral life here on the farm. I have the utmost respect for, relatively speaking, small organic farmers. Ana and Dario have confirmed their hard work, devotion and determined dedication to the fertile land and its colossal value not only to them but the community they serve. As with any business, the harsh reality of wearing all hats and doing well by all of them is nearly impossible. How to plan, grow, cultivate, maintain, prevent infestation and disease, protect (there have been some thefts of the produce which can go undetected for a period of time) not to mention market and manage the financial aspects of the business. I do not want to display any criticism of the fruits of their effort. It is clearly a labor of love and a life-long journey for a successful endeavor and embraced way of life.    

Heal Thyself!

November 10, 2012

Spent an absentminded morning flitting from one room to the next preparing the house for Ana and Dario’s return. I awoke in a snit, gaping at the dull white horizon, realizing I have eleven more days before I can be assured of my imminent recovery. Hard not slither into the dread of bad news. If my foot isn’t healing correctly they will re-open the incision and re-set the metal pieces, delaying my rehabilitation…let’s not go there!

Weaved a bit, flushed with intense heat and nausea as I got up to prepare a substantial cup of coffee with milk and sugar hovering on one crutch near the utilitarian stainless sink. Poled straight to the bathroom, sopped my strained face and prickly neck with a cool weathered rag and felt much relief. Not sure what that was all about yet the ill feeling has thankfully passed. Had a sufficient amount of mango and banana pieces, guzzled a tumbler of cool water and made my way back begrudgingly to bed where I have been parked ever since. Had the wherewithal to snag a frozen lump of meat to reduce the swelling that continues to perturb me. My toes, however, are more recognizable now, resembling the long lithe “fingers on the feet” that I recall of the recent past. The wronged foot is still puffy and swirls of pinkish color marble the dark red skin. The inner side harbors an ugly gash that will most likely scar-as a reminder of these 22 days, thus far, in the hole!

Sometime in the murk of the night, I gathered my energy to make it to the bathroom. Left the door ajar to my muted room and this morning found Preta (sem vergonha-without guilt) prancing around the house as though she expected undo praise for protecting me from the monsters under the bed! Hopefully she didn’t make herself at home like Goldilocks and visit each bed in turn…with her fleas, ticks and crispy dead leaves embedded in her dingy fur. Neginha has also taken full advantage of the donos of the house being gone since she saunters in and makes herself at home on my well worn bed. Cuddling up under my angled and scarcely discernable bruised leg she is definitely a welcomed companion.

Solante bearing a smile wishing to be agreeable but not really understanding me, arrived early this morning with her precocious enchanting son. We all laughed heartedly at Preta who dons a halo of pests. Yikes! Marquinhos declares he has decided not to watch tv all day and is shadowing his mother pestering her every few moments about the time. Solante seems at ease in her deep black velvet sundress despite the drooping shoulder straps that demand adjusting as frequently as her son requests the time. Obviously Marquinhos took my question of why he isn’t wearing the t-shirt I gave him to heart since he has now worn the bright purple and mustard yellow MN Vikings jersey for three days in a row! His job these last few days has been to feed all of the animals since Ana and Dario are absent. Unlocking the gate to Cuta’s kennel has proved to be far easier than I imagined since the beast is forever waiting for the opportunity to “break out.” Suppose he is resigned to the fact that he is being fed, not walked. The demanding cats each get a bit of multicolored dog food as well, they miaow and circle Marquinhos’ bare feet to encourage and delight him.

Another day of a lot of nothing!

dreams drift like the leaves flipping in the wind

November 9, 2012

Rain piddles the grass and trees in the terrain this morning. Didn’t have the wherewithal to get out of bed…dragging myself around the lumpy cushion was problematic.  Laid on the floor last night to stretch out my back and …oh boy, pulled something…hate when that happens! Deep breaths are necessary to move through the sharp stinging pain.

Bad night of accosting mosquitoes and restless leg syndrome! Constantly fussing for the  unattainable comfortable position. I have become tired of everything in the room, the inexcusable webs clinging desperately along the ceiling (suppose Luciana cannot attend to them since that would make her an overachiever,) my vacant suitcases (gloomingly reminding me of the impossibility of voyages beyond the farm gate,) the layers of French doors (which I wrestle with each day to unlatch, latch, open again to release the array of insects trapped within,) the internet connection cord (two feet long and inevitably just out of reach,) and the wardrobe (struggle to open and close while embracing my crutches and articles of clothing to store or wrangle to use for the day.)

Just to rise and go to the bathroom, get a glass of water or make a pot of coffee (lighting a match to catch the flame to warm the teakettle on the stove and pouring hot water over a cloth filter,) never mind reach across to the other side of the double bed is a chore. Reminds me just how fortunate I am that I don’t have to deal with this for longer than…a few months. Cross your fingers! Enough complaining already!

Since I IM’d  Taelor yesterday I miss her all the more keenly. Stupendous to hear of all the goings-on. I will have the opportunity to be in touch with her again this afternoon. At some point I will configure Skype correctly and be able to hear her (no sense aspiring to use the camera with dial-up.)

Providing Tellington Touch for Neginha, the fuzzy blackish cat so she is forever vying for more. As a result, massive tufts of black fur swirl around the side of the low-slung bed. Last night she was inadvertently trapped inside the house, chasing after the knobby toad that appears at dusk to nab insects zipping about in the dim florescent lamp. As I turned unsteadily to shush the hand-sized toad, Neginha sailed out the top of the Mr Ed door in angst. 

More snafus with the deliveries..cannot bear to get involved in the ensuing conversation. Just more of the same- lack of follow-through and exasperating ineptness. I get caught in the middle like a pig in a poke, since I attend the cell phone (when I can get to it in time, damn-it) and listen to the tirade on the other end. Though the majority of the time even if I am lounging on the bed a few long steps from the lurking phone it is virtually impossible to snatch it before the cheerful and agonizing chirp suddenly halts.  Probably best not to answer since I cannot excuse nor explain the circumstances.

The day goes by and nothing happens. Expect darling McFab will attend to me again today. Now that is something to look forward to as well as the conversation with Taelor albeit Facebook IM, sigh.

Paulo is here farting around. He doesn’t have the necessary supplies to finish his work so he is dragging it along shuffling the scaffolding from here to there stabbing at the walls with sandpaper. Meanwhile I splay across the bed computer tilted on the sturdy but inflexible table tray with a chink of frozen meat wrapped in my camping towel on top of my swollen yet vastly improving by the day gnarled foot. What’s a girl to do?

You’ll be relieved to know the sullenness has mostly passed and I can dig around and find my sense of humor when the occasion arises.

My chariot awaits.

All dressed-up and nowhere to go!

November 8, 2012

Strange sensation to be able to do anything I choose (with the exception of walking around naked since Paulo is still here painting.) Certainly what I would select if I had the capability of bearing weight let alone walking would be a far cry from what I can actually accomplish at the moment! I dream of the activities that come to mind-practice yoga (though I can stretch on the floor on the musty (but tolerable) shaggy, thin, dull orange livingroom rug) take a long walk through the thick mysterious forest with the dogs, catch a deliriously liberating bus ride (R$3.30 each way) into the jumble of city shops, explore the fields on the cluttered mountainside to discover what growth has occurred in the last three isolating weeks, give Preta a good scrubbing and tick plucking, visit the Ramos family in the Bunker structure on the hill, perhaps borrow a mud splattered bike from one of the cheerful boys on the farm and meander up and down the burnt brown roads of the neighborhood. Calgon take me away!

Although I had been half expecting McFabulous to appear, I was startled when he pulled up on his white horse that resembles a blue motorcycle. Long black hair tied up and stranglers tucked behind his ears, he was his usual incredibly handsome jean clad and humble self. He asked about my appointment with McWonderful on Monday. A few scowls crossed his charming face yet he was unwilling to outright negate the surgeons  suggestion (laser treatments to reduce the swelling.) I emphasized that I was not willing to take that step at this point. Icing and time will generate the same results. Still awaiting recommendations from my sister-in-law who works in the field at Mayo Clinic. ..that is you, Sara!

The world has not halted because I am immobile..birds continue to chirp, roosters crow, Preta seeks companionship and affection, short, dark, passive Paulo shows up to paint the drab pale blue walls, breeze gently shuffles the rich green leaves on the brush and insects of all sizes bang themselves against the inner walls of the house, bouncing back and forth until they land upside down in distress or make their way merrily out the open windows or doorways.  Last night a two inch black monster made his way in via the Mr Ed door. Jo, Ana and I started shrieking since they insisted it was a biting savage that impaled upon landing. Jo nabbed a vinyl apron and trapped it to the ground. After mauling it with her Havana (such a popular flip flop that they refer to it as a noun versus a brand name) they discovered the poor smashed beetle was not what they suspected. It is a harmless species that should not have been sacrificed. “Poor thing” we all declared. Was pretty hideous and ominous looking despite the fact that it was quite…dead!

As I exited the steamy bathroom from a tedious shower, Paulo excitedly showed me a 2 ½” drab brown spider that he had mutilated. Announced he had almost died from the assault then went on to tell me he had unassumingly reached into the plastic bag crammed with loads of other plastic bags and the spider jumped out at him. He emphatically suggested they actually attack people, lunging after them. The venom is like that of a snake. One man from Santos, he insisted, nearly died from such a bite awhile back. When Solante appeared behind him, he began the story anew. They chattered on a long time about who they knew that had been bitten, the stories flew! I got a good close look knowing, in the future, I would not be looking at one this close to determine whether it is one in the same!

Sweet startling blue-eyed chatty Marquinhos spent an hour here yesterday for his English lesson. In order to lure him in daily I decided to use the computer as bait. We typed out vocabulary words, sentences describing first me then him, spelled out colors and I demonstrated him how to create a capital letter, push “enter” to accept the date, change the font, color of the font and the like. He was riveted. We then spent some time on math. I pretended we were in a shop and gave him the prices of the things I desired. He added them up then I pretended to give him a bill, declaring its value and asked what can I expect in change. He was enamored! I also gave him exercises such as, if my mom was 59 when she died and she was born in 1935, what year did she die? We each took turns creating the scenario.

Before he left Marquinhos asked me “if, when I was a child, did I have a light in my room.” Since we had discussed birthdays and exchanged the year of our births in one of the math lessons, I considered he was suggesting I am ancient! Of course I had a light in my room, I even had a tv, though it was a black and white version. Then I remembered he was chosen at school to do a research project. He had asked Jo the same question since people in this rural area did not have electricity in the recent past. We all had a good laugh about it. Jo had been a bit thrown off as well and we noted Marquinhos had failed to ask Ana (who is 30) the research question. Ha!

Gift Horse

November 7, 2012

What a relief to stumble in the kitchen for a cup of coffee to Jo saying “para bems!” Obama won his re-election. Fantastic news. Watched the tube for as long as I could - at 2:30am I gave up. Wonderful to see the tenacity of the American people, Democrats and Republicans alike, overcoming the obstacles to go out and vote. From lanterns in tents to voting places partnering as shelters to racing to reprint ballots to resupplying forms, it was an admirable effort bringing out record numbers. Way to go North America!

No sign of McFabulous and Right Hand Man since last Thursday so I asked Ana to stop by the posto de saude to see if they could come and visit me. Have a few questions about my rehabilitation. Foot looks better every day, applying Propolis to the wounds to prevent infection and gradually forcing the ankle to bend a bit more. Doing some energy work to reduce the swelling too.

Had fresh chicken from the roost (tho I didn’t partake) rice, beans (what a surprise!) broccoli and water for lunch. Rich black coffee followed! Lying prone on the bed with my foot elevated, a slight breeze feels good in the tepid warmth of the afternoon. Jo wrestled a chair into the bedroom with a stool to prop my foot so I could attend the phone if need be. It is produce delivery day. We are all thrilled that new clients called to order chicken, eggs, eggplant and cherry tomatoes!

The cord that connects both the cell phone and internet is a few feet long, extending out from the fuse box. Very strange set-up, impossible to talk on the phone at length or for me to sit and follow-up on emails and post my blog in comfort. Yes, I am spoiled with modern conveniences of wireless internet and cordless phones.

Everyone is abandoning me to go to Sao Paulo for a few days. Solante will stop in to check on me once in awhile. I am actually fine with that. Jo piled food in the frig, washed all of the veggies and fruit for me claiming Solante could come and make me meals if I prefer, Of course not! There is a microwave for me to heat things if I choose and plenty of supplies for me. There are several movies I have not watched…probably cannot manage to make popcorn solo, but without Tyrus here to share it with me, it would just feel wrong!

There must be a rainbow somewhere! Raining with the sun glistening through the trees. Reminds me of the late afternoons on the Big Island-we generally were lucky enough to see two or three rainbows embracing the sky. We had the perfect landscape from our backyard on the hill above Hilo.

The painting project is still underway, smelly robin egg blue tone clings to the outdoors and wafts in the windows with the breeze. Yikes! Offgassing!

 

There is a major war going on in Sao Paulo, supposedly mafia based gangs are threatening the streets. Fifteen to twenty people are killed each day while the gangs rage against the local police. Initially the Federal Police wanted to help but the city police rejected their offer. Finally they relented and the police forces are joining to control the gangs. Sounds like the issues are drugs and many of the gangs man weapons and bombs. I saw a burned bus on the city street in the news and a segment about a gang leader who is wheelchair bound, manned with a rifle and a crew of bodyguards. The favelas are so dangerous and hopefully the police can control those areas of the city. One of my good friend’s nephew (who is Brasilian/NAmerican) posted on his facebook page the story of his aunt who was attacked with small stones by a gang of kids. He included a photo of her bruises. Poor thing!

Ate amanha!

Each VOTE counts!

Election Day!

Go, Go, Go Obama!

Not much to report here since I spent the majority of my day on the couch watching the elections.

My foot itches like crazy which I realize is a good thing since it means it is healing. Starting to work my ankle a bit, very stiff from the immobility. I imagine the tissue is healing around the screws and plate. Weird!

Hope everyone is well there. All the best to those of you who are in the path of the new storm and recovering from the first one. Special hugs to Michael, Barb and Teresa Finocchiaro and the rest of the Finocchiaro side of the family (WAY too many to list) Mary and John and the boys.

Thinking of all of you this November 6, 2012 from Brasil.