Deffen what?

Over a year ago we came across a large plant stalk on someone's garbage platform, being the plant person I am, I grabbed it and took it home. Upon looking it up I realized it was a Dieffenbachia plant and I'd had them before, super easy. I stuck the three foot stalk in a bucket of water and waited...before too long I had roots, and so planted it. It thrived, and eventually sent up sucker plants, then the other day...tragedy occurred...or did it?

Mike walked in the bedroom, and the whole top had broken off and was lying on the ground! But! Never fear, with such a prolific grower, this just means I have more plants!

I stuck the top in this bamboo planter, and voila! New really large plant! After the earthquake I found another large stalk that had been broken, I brought it home and cut it into chunks, and Holy Dieffenbachia BatMan!

We have it outside...

We have it in the living room...

In the kitchen...

another one in the bedroom...

And I gave a couple away as gifts! Geez, I wish more plants were that happy here, I've struggled finding what will endure the salt air, even if we were half a block back our outdoor plants would be happier, but I'm not complaining. Just one more thing to learn...so stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Life in our little town

Can I just say, we LOVE our life! Especially now that we have found our groove with our art and our dreams are becoming reality. Another reason we love our life, is we love our town, here are a few pictures of life around town, enjoy.

Two of our regular street sweepers. Such nice guys, always a smile and a wave, keeping SJ beautiful, and enjoying doing it.

Fishermen posted this on Facebook the other day. A very large sea turtle, we saw one the day we went whale watching too, but I'd forgot to mention. And more pics, showing them at sea.

Our fishermen never complain, we ask how the catch was, and they will always say it "was enough". What a great attitude.

We have a full time barber in town! Our good friend Joffre photo bombing in the mirror.

The old monument is getting revamped. Some men broke off the concrete around the base, there had been benches attached, and now they are painting. Looks like maybe the old one will stay too. (Barber shop sign in the background)

Captain Pasqual's oldest son and his wife repairing nets, at what used to be their house. 

And of course we love our neighborhood boys, here is one of my favorites, David. He has just asked us for a plastic bag, and is wading in the lake out front of our house. He really tries to be good, but his little brother Bamderley is a demon...

And others, part of Nexar the fishermen's family, Maykel and Aldo (don't recognize the middle boy). Maykel has started asking for 25 cents, I finally asked him what it was for, and he said Christmas money. They come to the house and ask for a drink of water, or a snack, and we are happy to be good neighbors.

Another reason we love our life is our opportunity to walk on the beach. Fresh air, wind in our hair, warm water on our feet, but watch out!

Yikes! And people ask why we don't swim in the ocean!!

Fruit truck, tacos by delivery for dinner, (tacos are not Ecuadorean, so it's exciting) overcast morning, perfect for walking, life is great! Thanks for joining us, and stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Art Therapy

I have become friends with a man who lost his house in the earthquake, his name is Eduardo. Because his house was unsafe, he had to move, he moved closer to our house, and I see him when I walk to town. He is in a wheelchair, and his hands and feet are crippled. He sits outside under some shade, and watches the day go by, all day, everyday...

One day when I was there chatting with him, some towns people said he and I had something in common, that Eduardo painted. That got me thinking, why couldn't I take the paints to him, and see what he can do? We started with a pen and paper, and he did really well, so the next time I took paints.

I was thinking of making him a paint set of his own, but I know he can't undo jars by himself, I think the water colors would be best, since they are all on one palette.

Can you tell this is Christo? I did help him even up the heart, but he did the rest, I was very impressed! Yesterday I made my paint kit a little more portable, and Mike is making me a clay handle. 

Always gotta get the chihuahuas in the photo...

I also was recently commissioned to paint "something beachy" for Kimberly at The Cottages, she had some old chunks of wood hanging around, and I gladly accepted the challenge. She picked up the finished works yesterday and paid me! I'm now a "professional artist" ok, kind of a stretch, but hey, I got paid! (Smile)

Have been working on something for our friends at Casa Mar...

And the back...

I seem to be painting almost everyday, but still doing things with driftwood and plastic, Mike has been making clay beads and such for me to use on windchimes and shell hangings.

Our hope is to help artisans in the area sell their works. We will plan with Casa Mar an art fair, and invite other artisans to join, and see where it takes us. High season is coming, and it's never too early to start making things for Christmas and Carnivale. We envision a small store front someday and putting San Jacinto on the map as an artist beach town. So...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

(the GoFundMe is still active, if you'd like to donate to Eduardo, he and many more still need some help. The government assistance from the earthquake is taking much longer than proposed.Thanks so much!)

Festival San Jacinto

On the coast of Ecuador the Festival circuit starts in June with Crucita's Peter and Paul festival. San Jacinto holds its festival in August, San Clemente in September, and then Charapoto is in October, but with the earthquake in April, the powers that be said No festival this year. We had a feeling by the time August rolled around, people would be ready for a party, and we were right.

First, was the feverishly working people getting the new monument finished. Huge sails, cute paint, and plenty of lights, Facebook has already been lit up with selfies!

The stage was set up at the end of Calle Pricipal, and there was a night of Karaoke scheduled, something cultural, which ended up being a local talent show, and the night the comedians were to perform we got a band instead! But first, the parade and crowning of the new Queen...

"The Virgen Guadelupe" are the group who take care of the tourist Ramadas, so their float in the parade was a replica of one selling food.

And Captain Pasqual's paper mache whale!

It was a much needed release, and everyone had a good time. The band was paid for by the Coachmes bank, celebrating 20 years. The next day for the closing of the festival, there was the procession of the Saints.

We must have been walking on the beach, otherwise we would have heard this commotion, as it walked right in front of our house...

The festival brought many people from out of town, a much needed boost to the local economy. As the sun moves back towards us, and we heat up, the tourists will hopefully start to come back, they are so important to our little community. San Clemente is having their festival on September 3rd, so...stay tuned, the adventure continues!