This year the town of Arlington, Washington was selling plywood cows to their local merchants for their Centenniel Celebration and I decided I needed one. If anyone should ask, the cow's name is Oprah.

BIRTH OF A CAMPO
Salvador has known Miguel Garcia for over 40 years, meeting while Mike was a waiter at Ruben's restaurant. Like all young men, they held many late night sessions, discussing how they would tackle the big wide world and earn their fortunes. Miguel wanted to buy land. Salvador had a large family and no cash. Miguel was alone. Eventually he purchased the Ocotillo land, 30 hectares, on his own and waited patiently for Salvador to find the time for developing. The purchase took place in the early 60s and Sal tried to begin his work here in the 70s but there was no time. He tried in the 80s. No time. Finally he began to lengthen his day, working 10-12 hours in his mechanical shop in town, then coming to Ocotillo for 2-3 hours every evening plus weekends, to push the desert around.

Where did he find the necessary knowledge for such a giant project? Wesley Strange. Wes encouraged him to work with nature rather than fight it. Excavate the paths the rains take and give them better access so building lots will stay dry. Read the land. Give it a hand, not an argument. Work it and work it and work it until at last you and the land you hope to mold become a team.

"I needed so much help," Sal recalls, "and it was there for me. Hank and Shirley, Wes and Lillian, they supported me. There were loans when I had no gas to start the tractor, there was food when my family was in need." There was encouragement, advice and compliments and diet pepsi on ice.

That's what's so great about Salvador Flores. He has not forgotten those days and the people who helped him. He has done his best to pass it on. There are many here in camp who can tell you the help he has given to them, the loans and food and advice he has sprinkled about when they were needed.

Grading and terracing were the first choes that would bring Ocotillo into being. John and Judy Carrol were the first couple to sign a lease. Larry Ruffo was the first resident. Salvador kept on grading. He worked around the Ocotillo trees, leaving them be or replanting those that had to be uprooted. He brought elephant trees in from the desert and planted them along our roads. He delivered mesquite starts from the government and told anyone who cared to to help themselves.

As more and more gringos arrived, his work increased. There was less time for his shop in town. He tried to move his mechanical business out here so he could attend to all. He brought barrels for our garbage, water for our tanks, all lifted or dumped or filled by hand, all carried on the back of his various pickups, whichever one was running at the time.

Now twelve years have passed. Miguel looks around and "doesn't believe it". He has a new house, a new car and new furniture. Salvador says "If I'm dreaming, I don't want to wake up." His girls are able to go to college. He has his water truck and a new tractor and a four wheeler. He hopes by next fall to have his own home here ready for occupancy.

He needs another dump truck and a good back hoe and like everyone else, the list will probably never end. Good things may be waiting down the road but right now he says he still eats beans and rice and fish and they taste as good as ever.

He and his pal Toro run up, down and around on his 4 wheeler trying to keep up with all the building and hauling and yes,. more grading. He waves as he goes by and if you ask, he'll tell you, "I'm OK".

Sixty plus land owners here might be the first to agree.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR
Chalen (Shay'len) Morning Star Woman, of the Cree Indian tribe, married Eric Ewing 25 years ago in Saskatchewan, Canada. Both avid readers, they met during their mutual study of metaphysics. Between them they have three boys and two girls they lovingly and laughingly call their "Cowboys and Indians".

They first came to San Felipe eleven years ago. After only five weeks of camping on the beach in their camper, they realized there was no stress. Recovering from the loss of three immediate family members, a serious auto accident involving their son, and the recent loss of their business, the serenity of the beach and beauty of the desert was a great comfort to them. They experienced an awakening that drew them back year after year. In 1999, they purchased their lot at 718 Calle de la Luna.

Chalen, born on a reservation, spoke Cree until six years of age. Known as "Spirit Child" she says she could see auras and showed psychic abilities at an early age.

She attended University majoring in Religious Sciences. For fifteen years she was a Family Therapist in the counseling field, of which four years were spent counseling inmates in a prison (much to Eric's disdain) in Vancouver, Canada.

She is the author of "Childhood Lost", http://www.chalenewing.com designed to educate people about the possibly serious consequences of the boarding school experience. She is currently working on an Inspirational Prayer book.

Her future plans include producing a meditations CD using drums and native sounds . All three of the Ewing boys will contribute as background singers and dancers.

For eight years Chalen had two, one hour TV shows. "Perception", described as a "phone in talk show", featured psychic guests from around the world. The second show, "Vision Quest" focused on traditional prophesies and cultures.

This many faceted woman strives to be a living example of her motto, "We are always more than we know ourselves to be." She and Eric, are firewalkers and share a love of music. Calling themselves "Natural High" Eric plays guitars and Chalen sings. They have entertained at Ted's Los Arcos on Thursday and Sunday nights.

Eric hopes to soon cut back on his work with his pipe fitter, plumbing and air-conditioning business, turning it over to his boys. He has an interest in all stringed instruments and makes dream catchers to relax. He plans to add a bedroom, a garage and a two bedroom guest cottage to their Ocotillo home. Next year a sweat lodge is planned.

HEALTHWATCH

PETER WENDT: About three years ago Peter had a couple of heart attacks that damaged his heart muscle. Last October he had an angioplasty in Obregon. Now his doctor in El Centro recommends a three-way bypass. Peter walks two miles a day, takes Plavex and feels good, so has opted to wait until March of 2005 to have open heart surgery as he will be 65 years old and covered by Medicare.

BEVERLY STILWELL was accompanied to Scripts Memorial Hospital in San Diego by neighbor Karen Warren. Beverly underwent a heart-valve replacement on March 4 and is reported stable as of 3-9. We expect her back in Ocotillos in early April. Hospital address is 9888 Genesee, La Jolla, Ca 92073, phone 858-626-4123.

JESUS RODRIQUEZ had gone by car to pick up friends in Guerro Negro and on the return trip rolled his vehicle. Along with a myriad of smaller injuries he is suffering with a broken sternum which will take time to heal. Information as to his progress and needs as well as cards or donations can be directed to Salvador or to Judy Carrol. We wish each a safe recovery.

LOVELY IS THE LILY
This desert flower has large cream-colored, funnel shaped flowers much like a miniature cala. Blooming March through May, flowers have 6 petal-like segments, each with a silver-green band on the back. Clusters may be as much as a foot long.

Shirley Mills and Nora have them ready to bloom. When they open, their fragrance is sweet as a gardenia. Lory tried to dig the many she found on her walks in the arroyo and found the root growing straight down sometimes to a depth of 2 foot before terminating in a bulb. She had no luck with transplants yet those deeply rooted bulbs can remain in the ground for several years, waiting for enough moisture to emerge and flower. Once called the garlic lily by the Spanish, Native Americans used the bulb as a food source.

ABOUT THE DESERT
About one-third of the earth's landmass is desert or semi-desert. Most of its surface is in sand sheets and sand seas - vast regions of undulating dunes resembling ocean waves "frozen" in an instant of time. It is a fragile ecosystem. Tracks can last up to 100 years before being erased. General Patton trained near Desert Center during WWII. Tank tracks are still readily visible there.

Deserts are usually created because they are located in a Rain Shadow, a dry region downwind of mountain ranges caused by air losing its moisture as it passes over mountains. (This is also why we receive such little rain...most clouds break over the mountains before they can reach us).

OUR OWN VALENTINES
It was a cold night but a warm hearted gathering of approximately forty turned out to enjoy some time together on February 14. Although invitations created by Ginger Clark called it Valentine's Day the good saint was not in attendance. Our lodge was bright with streamers and balloons, candy cups and doilies purchased, tended and tied by the decorating committee. We send a loud cheer to Jennifer, Raynee, Cathie and Ginger. Thanks also to Raynee, Nora and Lory who presented a 20 minute skit based on the popular Dr. Laura stateside counseling program.

Chit-chat and trivia behine us, we moved tables and chairs aside to make room for dancing lovers. Jack & Amy Smith were soon on the floor, celebrating their 50th anniversary. That's a grand accomplishment folks!

Raynee and Ray Trathon had attended earlier that day, a gathering at the Baptist Church hosted by Myrna and Dale Eubanks. These folks along with about 10 other local couples, celebrated Valentine's Day by honoring the arrival of their own 50th wedding anniversary, sometime during the past year.

How grand it is to know that there are still many of us who take those vows seriously. You make us proud, each and every one of you.

CUTTING
Earlier in the year we did a piece on Wendal Cutting and his work with the rescue task force. Today we'd like to share part of his own newsletter, which follows.

"A couple of us from RTF were standing on the wharf at the jungle frontier town of Puerto Lempira in Honduras. A small group of Indians from out in the jungle were in the 'town'. (Maybe trading?) One of the Indian men was from the village of Lucunca where we are currently doing clinic work. They came over to us, we all shook hands and visited as best we could. Later, as our team was walking away the man from the village was heard telling the others: "They eat from the same plate that we do."

Wendell says, "This was surely one of the most touching compliments we've received".

THAT DARN COW By Lory
Some folks tell you "we all put our pants on one leg at a time". Others warn "what goes around comes around". Then there's that smug group that claims "whatever will be, will be". Well all my life I have lived with sister Shirley's adage about life .... .you're too fat, slow, lazy, tired, smart, rich, poor? "Don't whine," she says. "We're all cows in the field". (You've probably noticed her constantly positive attitude, right)?

This year the town of Arlington, Washington was selling plywood cows to their local merchants for their Centenniel Celebration and I decided I needed one. Shirley needed one. By darn golly it was time for her to have her own cow in the field - and there you go. If anyone should ask, the cow's name is Oprah.

TEA AND THEE Lillian Strange held a get-together for campo ladies last month promoting acquaintanceship between old-timers and those owners new to camp. We're told they discussed hobbies and husbands and trivia we can't repeat. They also hatched up a plan to hold the second Ocotillo garage sale on March 6 which was enjoyed by many.

YOUR CHOICE
If the population of China walked past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights.

Wouldn't you rather be Chinese?

MUSIC OF THE CAMPO By Raynee Trathen
Hey diddle diddle,
Hear Sal's caterpillar
Moving tierra around.
Improving a lot, that somebody bought.
Happy music and laughter abound.

It catches our eye, as the trucks rumble by
Hauling cement bags, block, brick and sand.
Another lot's sold! Yeah!
Soon a house will unfold.
Happy music again 'cross the land'.

It's not so surprising, the pillars are rising
As workmen lay block after block.
They smile as they labor, we wave
Hi to our neighbor.
Come over and see what we've bought.

Hands with hammers are pounding.
The music resounding.
Tap,tap,tap,bang, bang, bang
Hear the beat!
For soon labors done, now the fun has begun.
Celebrate, raise a glass, tap your feet.

From far and wide,
Friends and family arrive
To this place we have chosen to be.
Let the music ring out,
As we give it a shout.
Ocotillo's the best place for me!!

FAST FOOD ALA MEXICAN
Marta and Jesus have their taco stand open, an excellent reason to close household kitchens at 10am. The attractive palapa with outdoor tables and chairs makes an inviting stop right at the highway entrance. See you there.

ALL AROUND TOWN
A new restaurant on Caribe looks clean and cool. Mi Casa Su Casa is the name. The new thrift shop is open, next to Baja Bistro and there is a new fish market on this street as well. Over on Ensenada we have the town's third furniture store.

DID YOU KNOW?
This will be our last letter of the season. We hope you have enjoyed.

OCOTILLO NEWS STAFF VOLUNTEERS
Lorraine Trathen, Twiggy Thompson, Beverly Stilwell, Loralie Cecotti

Ever notice how gossip gallops through a campo? And how gossipers relish the bad news and rarely honor the good? Like it or not folks, we have our share. That fact explains in part, the name chosen for this newsletter. Cronista can translate to mean family news. Cronista can translate to mean light gossip. Ocotillo, we hope, is forming family ties. However you view it, let's hope Ocotillo gossip will be harmless and kind. In this newsletter also, let us hope we can concentrate on the good.

ARCHIVE:
January 2004
February 2004