Mariposa Monarca ~ Monarch Butterfly

During our most recent trip Morelia our friends, Enoch and Raramure took us to the easternmost part of the state of Michoacan to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve. This is the home of millions of Monarch Butterflies who travel from as far North as Canada and all over the United States to hibernate for the winter here in the Mexican highlands. They travel an amazing 3,000 miles at a rate of 7 mph at an elevation of 500 feet above the ground. Most arrive in October or November. March begins their breeding season. Males die shortly after breeding and females are left to make the treck back to the U.S. Interesting enough, the females will fly north but not reach their orignal destination. Their offspring will continue the journey northward. It may take up to five generations to make the complete mirgration from Canada back to Mexico.

After riding in the car for over 5 hours (we had taken the scenic route) we were ready to ascend the mountain to see the butterflies. Within the first minute of hiking, Tammy and I felt like we were going to pass out. We had to stop several times and take a moment to do deep breathing exercises. We then learned that the elevation of this mountain was equivalent to Mount Hood (11,000 feet). After reaching the top and enjoying the mass quantity of butterflys, we thought it worth the climb.

Aldama Street on Sunday Evening

Every Sunday evening this is what Aldama Street looks like. I am taking the photo from the front of my Mexican home. Many times we have been pinned inside our own house, unable to get the van out of the garage. One week, Mike returned and could not park his van back in our garage. Our van's side door was damaged trying.

Why are all these cars here? Well, we found out! A local stopped by our house to invite us to see. Rooster fighting is a legal way to gamble. Roosters are raised to fight to their death for the purpose of people making money. Mike had taken a picture of two roosters fighting, I just could not bring myself to publish it. (Made me think of Gladiators).

People are finding partners to see who'd like to bet $50. Each rooster has a colored band tied around the leg, along with a weapon, since some roosters look so much alike. I will spare you much more details but it was difficult to eat dinner that night. Our curiosity got the best of us; we don't plan on seeing what all the fuss is about again. That's what I get for being afraid to miss out on something.

We are Half-way There!!!!

I can't believe it! I just realized today, we are at the half-way mark.

We left Dec. 9th from our home town in Oregon. April 1st is the tentative date for our arrival back. I flood of emotions have hit me. Just last week I was desiring to fly home, and now today I realize that I have so much that I want to accomplish here, with only 7 weeks left to do it.

Amanda H., my good friend, sent me an encouraging word last week. She encouraged me to make every day count, that in light of eternity, our stay in La Huacana is extremely short. At the time, those words were like smoothing sauve on a wound. That week was my hardest yet. Isn't God's timing always perfect? There was a few of us in the family with real bad attitudes. Missing family and friends, exhausted from the heat, sleep-deprived from the crowing roosters and barking dogs, weary of constant company, sick of Mexican food, fed-up with the dust and dirt, irritated from loud, continual music and just plain cranky. And, I was sick and tired of being, sick and tired! Today, my heart has been renewed. Half-way, already! Could it be true? So little time and so much to do! There is no time for bad attitudes or ungratefulness.

Where's the Beef?

WARNING: Photos in this post may contain graphic images that may not be suitable for younger audiences or those who don't know where their meat comes from. Animals were killed in the making of this post.

Unlike in the states where your meat may be starting to brown at the supermarket, meat here in Mexico is fresh. It is likely slaughtered the day before you purchase it. Another aspect that I have enjoyed is walking into the carneria and seeing the wholesale cuts of meat in the cooler. I asked the butcher to cut the meat or grind it into hamburger right before my eyes. Just like the old days in the U.S.

The down side of this old fashion service is the reality check of where your meat comes from - as you can see from the photos I posted. This doesn't bother me since I grew up on a farm and would often watch steers and hogs get butchered. Tammy prefers that I purchase the meat. I am sure we would have a lot more vegetarians in the U.S. if they had to purchase their meat like this. Not only is the meat fresh but I have noticed that there is not much fat as well. This is likely do to the fact the steers are pasture feed and that Mexican people still use lard to cook with.

My family had a small hog farm growing up with over 250 head of hogs in the operation. My dad would often say that unlike other livestock, people use everything but the squeal. By the looks of the hog head, I'm sure they live by that saying here in Mexico. ~Mike

Farming the Old Fashion Way

During another visit to the School's parcella, I learned that they do things the old fashioned way. I am about to plow a field in preparation for planting Sorghum. Actually, I learned that they just want me to have a photo with the plow team. I was thinking, I can't believe they are going to have me plow without any instruction. Just another one of those communication errors.

They may plow the old fashion way, but they use modern technology for growing the crop. The teacher explained to the students that this planting will be grown organically. During the class, students inoculated the seed with Mycorrhizae a fungus that has a symbiotic association with the roots of the plant. The fungi grows between the cells of the roots and uses ten percent of the carbohydrates the plant passes from the leaves to the roots. In return for the energy taken from the plants, the fungi grow out and search far and wide for nutrients and moisture and effectively extends the roots of the plant 10 fold.

Agriculture Education

Having been an agriculture science and technology teacher, I was most impressed with this program. The school owns a 20 acre farm that includes cattle, lemons, sorghum, and mango trees. There are a few schools in Oregon that operate a farm which is called a land lab. Students get a 2 hour block to work at the school farm (parcella). The cattle are cross bred between beef and dairy breeds in order to have duel purpose animals (Meat and Milk). I took this photo of a Holstein and Brahman cross. She was one big cow and their best milk producer. They also had crosses of Brown Swiss and Shorthorn. The Brahman breed is from India and known for being hardy in very hot weather. It is not uncommon to have temperatures in the hundreds during the summer. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the calves born over Christmas time.

The parcella raises sorghum to feed the nearly 20 head of cattle. The milk goes to the school for the candy making class and the surplus milk and beef is sold in town to fund the parcella. The lemons and mangoes go first to the school’s lunch program with the surplus being sold as well for the operation of the parcella.

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs by Madeline Knutz

Hola everyone. Mexico is amazing but dogs make it even more interesting. There are dogs everywhere. Most dogs are starved. The people don’t care if dogs are skinny to the bone. I'm close to be making a orphanage for them. Usually, I wouldn’t care for a couple of ugly dogs to be hungry. But these doggies need help. What surprises me a lot is our neighbors own a dog and its bones stick out. I’d say these people are not good owners. There are few dog lovers in Mexico, counting us.

At night I like to sleep but these sad, mangy mutts don't. All the dogs fight and bark all night as if they have nothing better to do. While I am stuck looking up at the ceiling, sickly dogs are making their claim with other dogs that they are the boss. I'm usually a dog lover but sleep is what I need.

I feel sorry for those poor dogs because they have missing hair spots. And the fleas is a lot of trouble for them. I suppose that's why people don't like them. But, people can do something about it if they want. I never thought that Mexico would be so different from home. It's a life time experience that I will never for get. Written by Maddy.

Liberties in Mexico

Town Square in La Haucana

When we first arrived our family couldn’t help but notice the freedoms here in Mexico. There is a lot less laws and governmental control. I must admit, I like this about Mexico. In America, we have ordinances for everything. Now, after being here for awhile, I am respecting many of the laws in America, like honor thy neighbors’ sleep (put in my terms). These laws are making a lot more sense to me.

Teens and children alike drive cars, motorcycles, mopeds and trucks

Kids and teens drink alcohol and have it offered to them at fiestas.

Anyone can operate a business, just open the door. Cleanliness not a requirement.

Don’t have to follow traffic laws. Most aggressive wins. Stop signs are just for looks. Drive extra fast. Pass everyone you can on blind corners honking. Use brakes abruptly. What are pedestrians?????? (Many animals, even large animals like cows and horses, get killed on the highways).

Young children purchase and use fireworks with no adult supervision.

Loud fire-crackers are used randomly. It sounds like TNT blowing up.

Very young couples marry and have children.

No minivans or seatbelts necessary. Just load up in the back of the pickup and pack in tightly.

Haul your donkey or horse in the back of a small Toyota truck while still sitting on it. LOL!

Ride your donkey to town down the middle of the cobble-stone street in between the rest of traffic.

Entrepreneurship is alive and well. Peddle your goods. Stand at all speed bumps and stop signs to knock on windows

Cook whatever food you want (on the street), wherever you want and then sell it.

No prescription needed. Walk into the pharmacy and just ask for it.

Build onto your house anytime you want without asking authorities.

Throw your garbage down anywhere anytime. Burn the litter down the streets.

Clean bathrooms not necessary. Provide your own TP everywhere you go.

Burn your household garbage all hours of the day

Dogs roam the streets and sleep in the roads and market places.

These are a few ways that Mexico culture is different than our own. I am sure there are many more that haven’t yet been obvious to me. Mike thinks kids would have more fun growing up here without all the rules we have in the USA. ~T

Horn Blasters, Mexican Music, Dogs, Chickens and Roosters

Have I mentioned how loud La Haucana is? LOL! It is why we ran off to Ixtapa for a few nights. Trucks drive around with these horns on the top their cabs. Sometimes music blares from them but for the most part it sounds like radio or an advertisement. There are obviously no city ordinances on obstructing the peace. I respect these people’s love for music, just not them thinking I love their music too. There is this truck that runs through town every since morning playing the same old song on the same old route. Dogs roam the streets at night yapping and barking all night long. Most people own their own set of chickens and roosters. I have been wishing I had taken sling-shot lessons in the states. There is this particular rooster that perches in this tree right by our bedroom window; then there are a hundred others in the distance easily heard by all in town. When that car drives by you with the blaring Mexican music, tell yourself that it is just a part of their culture. It's totally normal for them. ~T

Taking a Time-out in Ixtapa!

Hola to all our familia y Amigos! It is good to be on the beach for a few days. Our family was in desperate need of a good night's sleep. The noise level has been tremendous every since our arrival in La Haucana. Our hope is that life will settle down after the holidays but we are doubting our neighbors' roosters will go on sabbatical anytime soon. (LOL) The continuous loud music may subside, but the dogs will likely stay on guard. Can you believe that it was quieter in our resort hotel on New Year's Eve than in La Haucana? I am not joking! There was a lively fiesta by the pool and the beach front was full of people. The fireworks all the way down the beach were amazing. Anyway, we have been enjoying the tropical ocean, the sunshine, the comida Mexicana (Mexican food), swimming in the pool and baking in the sun. This is our vacation time. Once we return to our pueblo (town) then it is time to buckle down. Mike will start teaching in the escuela (school) and the three oldest of our niños (children) will be joining the Spanish niños in escuela. Maddy has decided to continue in her home schooling with me. Carmen, me la amiga espanol, will come to me casa every day to give us lessons in both language and cooking.

Mike and I enjoy all your comments; they prevent home-sickness! It is agreed that this blog is keeping us connected in the states. Like I said on a comment, our family is so blessed to have been given this wonderful opportunity that we want to pass on our Mexico experience as much as we can. I have hardly had time to miss home yet. Since we are at the 3-week point, reality is starting to set in. We aren't going home anytime soon. The past three weeks has been an adjustment/settle in period and now we understand that the real stuff is about to begin. Our heart is that God will work in us and through us, effecting others' lives as well as our own. We know it is only through God that our family is here. This could not have been pulled off by little 'ol us. We continue to pray as a family for this, trusting God for His purposes that we may not yet fully understand or see. We are walking by faith, not by sight.

I will be posting a series of pictures soon. WARNING: pictures will contain warm ocean beaches and sun-tanned bodies. As hard as it may, try to be happy for us. We love you all and miss you a great deal. Everyday we are reminded of how much we love our home in America. It may be rainy and cold but "there is no place like home"!

Thank you immensely for those who pray daily. Those prayers give me an amazing amount of strength and faith. ~T

Jake gets his Christmas wish. When we rolled into town he was declaring how badly he'd like a kitty for a pet while living in La Huacana. On Christmas Eve, "Chica" was captured outside our house. She was obviously dieing of starvation, unable to walk, patches of hair missing, paint in her fur and in desperate need of a bath. Maddy and Jake feed her as much as they can. She is the friendliest kitty we have ever known. (There are numerous neglected animals in Mexico; we are glad to have saved one!)

Molly's Debute

Molly up on stage during the animal actors presentation at Universal Studios. She was calling a pigeon to her hand. Well it landed on her head instead. She is going to keep her day job.M