Mi nombre es Zan, como "ZANahoria"

My favorite things to plant are, ironically enough, zanahorias. Not only are they so much fun to sprinkle down their little rows like glitter, but... have you ever smelled a carrot flower? It is the most amazing scent... tangy and mmmm. The seeds smell the same way (if not better) and it is an absolute blast for the nose. =] I am now going to try and learn how to extract the scent for a perfume... I can call it "Zan~ahoria"... or something like that. [Does anybody know about perfume making? If you do please share your knowledge!]

The heat here has become officially unbearable; we hit the 40sºC ( ~ 100sºF ) daily. I can hardly breath and stand still, let alone double dig and weed. I have never sweat so much in my life... it is pretty remarkable (this is where the perfume would come in handy). Watering is my favorite chore - especially when there are wet t-shirt contests involved. =]

I have kissed mi familia on both cheeks and sent them flying for Los Angeles; how odd to think of my Paraguayan family in my country without me. I am, however, enjoying the freedom to wander about at will and not feeling guilty about not being home enough. PLUS, once they return (in Febrero), Mom, Dad, and Bobbie have bought tickets to come for a quick visit in March! I am terribly excited to show everything to them... my need to share what I am experiencing here first hand is very strong. It will be nice to have people to know what I'm talking about when I return home with all my stories! Fide is excited for their visit too, and we've planned all sorts of delicious pastimes.

I am headed to Ciudad Del Este with los americanos on Monday for a belated Dia De Gracias celebration. I am very excited to see the Iguazu Falls and the Hydro-electric Dam. It should be a fun viaje.

This morning in the cool, breezy, pre-sun light, I prepared a bed for transplanting which I will execute this afternoon with melon, girasoles (sunflowers... the literal translation of "girasol" is Sun Wheeler, which I find absolutely superb) and some lettuces. Other than that the heat has us in an off-season (same as up North, only for the opposite reason...) and we've mostly got compost and carbon crops in - a key part of biointensive growing.

Before I return to the sweltering fields, I would like to quickly mention one thing: on this day of Thanks (and on all those other days in the year as well) I am ever so thankful to have each one of you in my life. I am an incredibly lucky person to know you all. I have received some incredibly touching, insightful and thoughtful emails/letters recently. I cannot express how helpful all your kind words have been during my time here. Thank you.

I miss you all,
zanahoria