Daily rhythms in rural Guatemala

apologies in advance for keyboard where it's easier to write without capitals..

i've been coming here now to the AFOPADI projects for 10 years, the last 3 in my dual capacity with SSG and Earthways, and it's an amazing gift of perspective. it hardly takes long to be reminded of daily passages. the roosters crow, people stir, the water comes on for a few hours (the population has grown so much that the water runs out about 8 am), the sun becomes incredibly strong, the wind blows up, birds chirp, a loudspeaker announces the village gathering, the energy calms, the stars emerge and i am overwhelmed with our small place in this world.

Hola de Quetzaltenango

Hi from beautiful Quetzaltenango (known here in Guatemala as Xela). We are up at about 7000 feet and ringed by impressive volcanoes. Sleeping here is always a challenge in terms of the cold, so we are happy to leave soon for the village where AFOPADI is based in the mountain villages near Huehuetenango.
As always, the Guatemalans are so incredibly warm and fun and we instantly feel at home. This year I am traveling with another SSG board member who speaks Spanish and has traveled the world, so I look forward to seeing newly through her eyes.
Always changes here in this country, and not necessarily for the better. Since a year ago there are fancy new houses nearby and I leave it to your imagination to wonder how they are financed. Also, it is more dangerous and we heard about that for the first time from several employees in Antigua. Both robberies and murders. So, if visit this country I love, you must be streetwise. But we are in good hands and soon away from tourists, so there is less to rob.

(En route from Xela to the village west of Huehuetenango...)

Winter on Lake Michigan

Even though it is for the wrong reasons (likely effect of Arctic warming), I have appreciated having a real winter. Having the edge of the lake frozen feels right to me, like when I was a child.

Here's my selfie with Cottonwood (I think). The sounds of the branches swaying in summer another childhood memory. The sun emerged today after yesterday's 4-5" of snow and cast wonderful shadows. One missing shadow just beyond the frame is an Ash that came down last year. One good effect of the winter might be putting a dent in Emerald Ash Borer.

The birds have begun to sing again and soon the beach will host the sounds of joyful play in waves.

Catkins in the snow

So distracted at a client's yesterday that I did not notice the catkins on this Harry's Walking Stick until I downloaded images today.
Slightly different feel than previous post...

Trees in Bay Area

Here are a few images from my CA trip 2 weeks ago.

(It was 1 degree F in Evanston around 6 am today.)

 Berkeley, early blooming Magnolia (drought?)

 San Francisco, View from Legion of Honor

 Pt. Reyes, a bit of wetland helps

Berkeley, where else?