(Above: This is almond cake with a dark chocolate cream cheese frosting that I made with Lunita. The piece was accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt and some walnuts.
Este es pastel de almendra con un glaseado de chocolate amargo-queso crema que hice con Lunita. El pedazo estaba acompañado de una cuchara de yogur griego y un poco de nueces.)
5/26/2024: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Mostly sunny. Quite dry.
The central pasture at midday of 5/26/2024. El campo central en el mediodía del 26/5/2024. 
The hot and sunny afternoon of 5/26/2024 in the southeasternmost field. (A note: I ate a mixture of beef, eggs, green pepper, onion, and mushroom for lunch. This was accompanied by a salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre.) La tarde calurosa y soleada del 26/5/2024 en el campo más sureste. (Una nota: Comí una mezcla de res, huevos, pimiento verde, cebolla y hongo para el almuerzo. Esta estaba acompañada de una ensalada hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre.) 
A photo of a slightly phallic mushroom that I found in the westernmost field of the farm. Una foto de un hongo un poco fálico que encontré en el campo más occidental del rancho. 
Today I made more progress on hole #3. Hoy hice más progresos en hoyo #3. 
A taco salad enjoyed at dinner of 5/26/2024. It consisted of romaine lettuce, red cabbage, green pepper, avocado, sour cream, seasoned Belgian Blue ground beef, and two types of salsa. Una ensalada de taco que se disfrutó en la cena del 26/5/2024. Consistía en lechuga romana, repollo rojo, pimiento verde, aguacate, crema ácida, res molida de azul belga sazonada y dos tipos de salsa. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon. I utilized a little bit of the remaining sour cream leftover from dinner for dipping it. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela. Utilicé un poco de la crema ácida sobrante de la cena para mojarla.
5/27/2024: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Mostly sunny.
Lunch of 5/27/2024: A tray of sushi and a bowl of miso soup garnished with red cabbage, avocado, and purslane flowers. El almuerzo del 27/5/2024: Una bandeja de sushi y un tazón de sopa de miso adornada con repollo rojo, aguacate y flores de verdolaga. 
Two burger-steaks marinating for dinner: Today the marinade consisted of chiltepin (20 per steak), lime, olive oil, black pepper, and salt. Dos bistecs de res molida marinados para la cena: Hoy el adobo consistía en chiltepín (20 por bistec), limón, aceite de oliva, pimienta negra y sal. 
With the pay loader, Padre helped me move the new washing machine from the entrance of the farm to Jacobhouse. Con el cargador útil, mi padre me ayudó a trasladar la lavadora nueva desde la entrada del rancho hasta mi casita. 
An afternoon activity: Padre, Wag, Victor, and I constructed a section of fence in the old lot to the easternmost side of the farm. Una actividad por la tarde: Mi padre, mi tío, Victor y yo construimos una sección de cerca en el antiguo lote en el lado más oriental del rancho. 
The installation of washing machine #2 in the Jacobhouse kitchen. La instalación de lavadora #2 dentro de la cocina de mi casita. 
After installing the washing machine with Padre, I dug a little bit in hole #3. Después de instalar la lavadora con mi padre, cavé un poco in hoyo #3. 
Dinner consisted of the aforementioned burger steaks reverse seared and accompanied by a colorful salad made by Padre. Additionally, there was a spoonful of sour cream for dipping. The crust of the steak tasted like high quality buffalo chicken. La cena consistía en los bistecs de res molida ya mencionados sellados al revés y acompañados de una ensalada colorida hecha por mi padre. Además, había una cuchara de crema ácida para mojar. La corteza del bistec sabía a pollo Buffalo de calidad alta. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. The plate was arranged in the form of a flower. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. El plato estaba arreglado en la forma de una flor.
5/28/2024: . Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Party cloudy with smatterings of rain.
The dawn of 5/28/2024 in the southeasternmost field of the farm. El amanecer del 28/5/2024 en el campo más sureste del rancho. 
Lunch consisted of a fried mixture of eggs, beef, and green pepper. This mixture was accompanied by a salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre. El almuerzo consistía en una mezcla frita de huevos, res y pimiento verde. Esta mezcla estaba acompañada de una ensalada hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
Bovines in the easternmost field of the farm under a partly cloudy sky. Bovinos en el campo más oriental del rancho bajo un cielo parcialmente nublado. 
An afternoon activity: I dug for twenty more minutes in hole #3. Una actividad por la tarde: cavé veinte minutos más en hoyo #3. 
Dinner consisted of some lamb chops. The chops had a ‘dry’ marinade of a mixture of balsamic vinegar & bourbon, olive oil, Sicilian spices (dried lemon zest, dried garlic, and dried parsley), salt, and black pepper. After marinating, the chops were reverse-seared and accompanied by a colorful salad made by Padre. La cena consistía en unas chuletas de cordero. Las chuletas tenían un adobo ‘seco’ de una mezcla de vinagre balsámico y bourbon, aceite de oliva, especias sicilianas (piel seca de limón amarillo, ajo seco, y perejil seco), sal y pimienta negra. Después de marinar, las chuletas estaban selladas al revés y acompañadas de una ensalada colorida hecha por mi padre. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
5/29/2024: Today began in the mid 60s (cool) and warmed into the high 80s. Quite dry.
The brilliant dawn of 5/29/2024. El amanecer brillante del 29/5/2024. 
I began to dig hole #4 this morning. It went well. Empecé a cavar hoyo #4 esta mañana. Salió bien. 
The garden after a little bit of ordering in the morning of 5/29/2024. El jardín después de ordenar un poco en la mañana del 29/5/2024. 
Two vitamin B pills: Padre and I are trying them out to see if they will lower our homocysteine levels. Dos pastillas de vitamina B: Mi padre y yo estamos probándolas para ver si bajarán nuestros niveles de homocisteína. 
Lunch consisted of roasted chicken. Before cooking, the chicken marinated for a day in a marinade of mango & siracha-infused vinegar, lime, salt, pepper, and olive oil. When it was plated, it was accompanied by a salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre. El almuerzo consistía en pollo asado. Antes de cocinar, el pollo se marinó por un día en un adobo de vinagre de mango-siracha, limón, sal, pimienta negra y aceite de oliva. Cuando emplatado, estaba acompañado de una ensalada hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
The central pasture on the dry and sunny afternoon of 5/29/2024. El campo central en la tarde seca y soleada del 29/5/2024. 
Tonight’s dinner was very similar to yesterday’s: reverse-seared lamb chops accompanied by a salad of spring mix, fresh carrot, and tomato. La cena de esta noche era muy similar a la de ayer: chuletas de cordero selladas al revés y acompañadas de una ensalada de mezcla primavera, zanahoria fresca y tomate. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
5/30/2024: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Mostly sunny. Very dry.
Dawn of 5/30/2024 in the southeasternmost field of the farm. El amanecer del 30/5/2024 en el campo más sureste del rancho. 
This morning, I dug more in hole #4. Esta mañana, cavé más en hoyo #4. 
Lunch: A salad of lettuce, spring mix, red cabbage, avocado, homemade barbecue sauce, banana peppers, and fried Wagyu ground beef. El almuerzo: Una ensalada de lechuga, mezcla primavera, repollo rojo, aguacate, salsa barbacoa casera, pimientos amarillos enfrascados y res molida de Wagyu fritado. 
Dinner consisted of some fried eggs topped with a little bit of Cholula hot sauce and accompanied by a green salad made by Padre. La cena consistía en unos huevos fritos cubiertos con un poco de salsa picante Cholula y acompañados de una ensalada verde hecha por mi padre. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. 
This is almond cake with a dark chocolate cream cheese frosting that I made with Lunita. The piece was accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt and some walnuts. Este es pastel de almendra con un glaseado de chocolate amargo-queso crema que hice con Lunita. El pedazo estaba acompañado de una cuchara de yogur griego y un poco de nueces.
5/31/2024: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Mostly sunny. Very dry.
This morning (5/31/2024) I turned on the water in the garden. The plants were happy. Esta mañana (31/5/2024) abría el agua en el jardín. Las plantas estaban felices. 
The southeasternmost field at noon on 5/31/2024. El campo más sureste en el mediodía del 31/5/2024. 
El almuerzo consistía en un gran trozo de salmón al sartén cubierto con un huevo frito con la yema blanda. Este estaba acompañado de una ensalada hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
This afternoon I dug even more in hole #4. It is possible that we will place the columns before we travel to the Dominican Republic. Esta tarde cavé aún más en hoyo #4. Es posible que colocaremos las columnas antes de que viajar a la República Dominicana. 
Dinner consisted of a mixture of leftover beef shank and eggs topped with salsa verde and cholula hot sauce. This was accompanied by a green salad made by Padre. La cena consistía en una mezcla de sobras de pierna de res y huevos cubiertos con salsa verde y salsa picante cholula. Esta estaba acompañada de una ensalada verde hecha por mi padre. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
6/1/2024: Today began in the mid 60s (quite interesting for the first of June) and warmed into the low 90s.
The morning of 6/1/2024: I encountered some unripe grapes near the Master Blend signs. La mañana del 1/6/2024: Encontré unas uvas verdes cerca de los letreros de Master Blend. 
Lunch: A salad topped with hard-baked eggs and avocado. It was a light and healthy lunch. El almuerzo: Una ensalada cubierta con huevos duros horneados y aguacate. Fue un almuerzo ligero y saludable. 
This ‘family’ of bovines in the lot that surrounds Jacobhouse has an impressive variety of species. Esta ‘familia’ de bovinos en el lote que rodea mi casita tiene una variedad impresionante de especies. 
The afternoon of 6/1/2024: There was a creature hidden in this amalgamation of vegetation. La tarde del 1/6/2024: Había una criatura escondida en esta amalgama de vegetación. 
The hidden heifer calf of the afternoon of 6/1/2024. La ternerita escondida de la tarde del 1/6/2024 
Holes #4 and #3 are very near to the necessary depth for placing the columns. Los hoyos #4 y #3 están muy cerca de la profundidad necesaria para colocar las columnas. 
Dinner consisted of reverse-seared Belgian Blue tri-tip. This was accompanied by a cabbage salad and a bowl of homemade barbecue sauce. La cena consistía en rabillo de cadera de azul belga sellado al revés. Este estaba acompañado de una ensalada de repollos y un tazón de salsa barbacoa casera. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
Final Note: The epigraph from Lani P1 S2 C14.
Lani stood looking out from the front porch, leaning against one of the rugged posts that supported the eaves above her. The sun had only just sunk beyond the West Barrier, and the constant buzzing of midsummer’s grasshoppers was transmuting into the less raucous cricketsong of evening. She knew she ought to head home to start dinner, but there was a question bothering her, arising from something Lom had said earlier in the day. It was that something which had originally prompted her to visit the big man who presently rocked in the chair just behind her.
“Hat?”
“Yes, Lanlan?”
“Am I normal?”
“Perfectly,” the reply bore no hesitation, though he could be heard to pause in his rocking, “Why d’you ask?”
“In the books that Ma used to read us, the boy always got a girl or the girl got the boy. They’d have a family and live happily ever after.”
“…and?” the big man asked.
Lani turned toward Hat, and on finding his eyes quite puzzled, she decided to cut straight to the matter, “And, well, Lom told me today it’s time I had a man, but I haven’t any desire for one.”
Hat’s hairless brows lifted toward his equally bald crown, creating an impressive series of wrinkles; he spoke drily, “Pardon my Fahren, Lass, but Lom’s an arse. Not that the poor fellow can help it.”
Lani snorted, “And the books? How about the books?”
“Stories. Just stories,” the man stoutly stated, rocking once more, “Stories very likely cooked up by individuals who yearn for such endings, or more often, ones who’ve been taught that such endings are the ones for which folk’ll pay a mark or three… And yet…”
The big man had again ceased movement. This time there was a smile on his face. He must have observed Lani’s mixed sentiments of confusion and curiosity and proceeded to explain himself;
“Aye, was just thinkin’ how this conversation reminds me of one I had a roundin’ long passed. Was on the isle o’Motzo’aco at the time – beautiful place – and was lucky enough to get an audience with wise ol’ Qartar, their Chef-King. Ran the state like a kitchen all his life, but near the end, he’d settled on a different course.
“‘I’m teaching them to bake their own bread, beeg man,’ he told me in that fine island accent o’his*; ‘True, eet takes some learning to get the receepe right, but once they have eet, the textures and the flavors are theirs to command, and best of all? When a man knows how to bake the bread, he no longer needs to ween eet. And when an entire nation knows how to bake eets own bread? Eendependence. Eendependence een all but name een thees case… but eendependence all the same.’”
– Lani and Hattun converse on a summer evening
*On the island of Motzo’aco, many of the people know how to speak Common [English], but they have particular trouble with pronouncing the short ‘i’. They often pronounce the short ‘i’ (i) as a long ‘E’ (ee).
Lots to enjoy this past week, but my favorite part was Lani conversation with Hat, sure appreciate you sharing that
🐢 As long as I don’t see turtle soup on the blog everything will be fine.
Tu tortuga te adora Joven Walden.
This week was a very sandy week.
Everything looks fine. I want a chocolate almond cake. Hugs to the birthday girl.
Tu tortu
Posdata: Lani has an interesting conversation. Humans always think about those things. Although having little turtles won’t be bad at all, I’ll be looking for a boyfriend soon. I will let you know in these posts. XD
No te preocupes sobre la sopa, Tortuga (aunque yo escucho que ese tipo de sopa tiene excelente sabor). Yo no cocino los individuos sensibles y eres bastante sensible. En el caso de tu caza para un novio, te deseo buena suerte. Asegúrate que él también es un individuo sensible y con un pecho bien cóncavo para pues… sabes 😆. Espero alguna noticia de tu búsqueda.