The Kolden Report: The Finca! Nicaragua. June 12th, 2014

Hello, kids!

We'd heard about Jay's finca and were anxious to see it.  Finally the day had arrived. 

Vine covered exterior!

Lanai.  Notice the vines creeping?

Wrapping lanai.

Vines, as art.

Bright interior.

Oh, if I could have just gotten THIS chair in my suitcase!

Across the yard, new construction.  Guest house?

Mercedes delivery truck, bringing building materials.

LOVE the hood ornament.

Living fence posts.  Branches are "planted" and later grow into trees. 

Part of the horse herd.

A herd of milk cows also roamed, providing milk for the local school.  (Nice, Jay!)

Delicate delight.

Perfection, in nature.

"Tunnel" of ....love?

Finca finery.

Tropical....road less traveled.

Fiery foliage.

Seeing spots.

Hay hauler.

Swimming pool?  (That's what I would have used it for as a kid.  As it was, I spent many hours in the stock tanks when summer heat arrived.)

Half of the heavy hauler team.

I forgot to ask Jay if they are named "salt and pepper"!

Hard to imagine getting these big fellas to pull a hay wagon.

 
More finca finery.

Mending fences.

All legs. 

Homemade broom.

And then I discovered the bamboo grove!

Linear lines.

Racing stripes?

How are the color variants created?  And why?

If you cut and dry the tree, will the stripes remain?  Interesting!  (Google says this is clumping bamboo.)

Up next:  Mombacho, home to rainforest grown Las Flores coffee. 


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"If your eyes are blinded with your worry, you cannot see the beauty of the sunset." - Krishnamurti

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www.kittykolden.com

The Kolden Report: Support Cousin Laura! June 11th, 2014

 Hello, kids!

My cousin Laura is on a mission. Support her cause, if you can.  She is running a 26.2 mile marathon on June 21st in support of cancer research!    Here, is her mission:

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For my 40^th birthday, I’m going to run my first marathon (yep 26.2 miles!) at the Seattle Rock `n’ Roll Marathon on June 21, 2014. In honor of this milestone, I’m asking my friends and family to help me raise $4000 for my 40^th birthday to donate to cancer research.

I’ve chosen the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) based on their commitment to cancer research and the support they provide to families and cancer patients. I’ve also joined their Team in Training program to help me accomplish my running goal (26.2 miles!).

Cancer has touched my life because it has affected my family, my friends and their families. I imagine everyone I’m writing to knows someone who has been affected by cancer as well.

I would love to have your support meeting both of these goals. Thankfully, thoughts and prayers don’t cost a thing and donating is easy:

Emotional support

• Send directly to me at lauramull3@gmail.com
• Via Facebook

Financial support

• Online at my personal fundraising page http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl14/lmullg
• By check (made out to LLS)
• Double your donation with a matching gift from your company!
• Spread the word about what I'm doing. Ask 3 friends if they'd be interested in sponsoring me
• Hold a “Team Laura” event (garage sale, bake sale, donation jar) with proceeds going towards LLS through my fundraising campaign
• Corporate sponsorships are available starting at $1000- contact me directly for more information
• All contributions are tax deductible (Tax ID # 13-5644916)

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"You are never too old to set another goal or  to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis

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www.kittykolden.com

The Kolden Report: Family Style, Nicaragua. June 11th, 2014

     Hello, kids!

We paid a visit to local family, near the end of the street in a wooded area.

Neighbors, doing what neighbors do.

Magenta magic.

Couldn't decide which image I loved more so included them both.

I was intrigued to see this blackened pot, precariously perched over a smoldering fire.  What was cooking?

I tried to peek in but couldn't tell.  Finally, I asked.  Beans!

Morning chores were already well underway.

Drying laundry casts a short shadow.

How OLD was this  building?  Wavy siding caught my eye.

Bigger picture.

Nephew.

Brenda.

Angel.  AKA:  Easy Rider.

Put de' lime in de' coconut, drink 'em bot' up...

Silky skinned relative of the mango.

Simple life.

Cook stove and wood supply.  Although I didn't see any propane or other fuel to cook with!

Religious artifacts were sprinkled throughout.  I'm told most folks are catholic here.

Hand carved wardrobe.  I wondered how they had come to own this piece?  Nica craftsmanship is not to be taken lightly!

I'm sure it was comforting to have food growing in the yard.

Little Jay learns how to clean the rice before cooking. 

Jalissa and little Jay.

Ranger.  The family mascot who is not neutered. 

Decorative blocking in lieu of windows. 

Across the road.

Thorny situation.

 Sandinista's, still active.

Construction haulers, awaiting jobs.

Downtown.  Look at the tangle of wiring.  One stiff wind away from a power outage, perhaps?



Up next:  The finca!


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"No one has ever become poor by giving."  - Anne Frank

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www.thekoldenreport.blogspot.com
www.kittykolden.com