EVENTS

Oggy e una bella giornata di decembre

Beautiful December Day with Oggy:

This was the day of learning and sowing at the Secret Garden, where a group of Latina mothers from the Mission District has gathered for several years. The purpose is for their children to connect with their peers, share life experiences, and build a social fabric that provides an alternative vision and a healthy community.

Nelly and Mauricio arrived first, organizing the plants that were to be sown, generously provided by friends from La Casa de los Sentidos: Tobacco, Paico, San Pedro, Aloe Vera, among others. They began by cleaning the garden, which, being in autumn, accumulates leaves and some fruits falling from the trees. Some elements were arranged, and they awaited the arrival of children, youth, and friends who would support the day.

Under a radiant but not overly warm sun, Iris, Daniel, and Brian arrived, joined by David and his sister Glenda, forming the initial dream team for the day. A story was shared, explaining that tobacco is a plant given to indigenous peoples from the beginning, used for healing, gaining wisdom, greater attention in daily life, and accessing the world of spirits. According to tradition, tobacco is planted around the maloca and in the chagra. Therefore, they proceeded to plant tobacco in different parts of the garden and its seeds along the edges.

Similarly, in one corner of the garden, they planted the bellflower or "borrachero," scientifically identified as Brugmansia spp. This is a powerful plant, and in the northern Andes (Ecuador and Colombia), residents place it in front of houses for protection against negative energies. The flower is white, and the cutting was brought from in front of the César Chávez School on Shotwell Street.

Professor Andy and his dog offered their help in cleaning one of the trees near the main platform, affected by moss from its base to a third of the trunk. In a patient and delicate process, about 1.5 kg of moss was removed, giving the tree a new look. Plans were made to obtain salt (copper sulfate CuSO4) and lime (CaOH) for a healing and sealing process on the trunks of pruned trees to prevent diseases.

Two teams of children were formed to plant calendula, seeds brought from the Colibrí Farm in San Francisco. The flowers of this plant have been used since ancient times in various home remedies due to their medicinal benefits.

As if this weren't enough, David, a friend and gardener from Willits in northern California, arrived with the team that already included Dheyanira, Olga, Ezequiel, Alondra, and Paola. They continued with the activities: planting medicinal plants in the assigned box, pruning flowering plants, and the fig or brevo. Cleaning was done in the streets, organic material was added to the beds, and the children began painting the boards donated by Rocio for the birds that visit the garden, providing them with a comfortable space to spot flowers and fruits.

The gathering at the Secret Garden took on a great dynamic, which, after a couple of hours, was interrupted by the threat of rain. Since the plan included making tamales, a decision was made for one group to go to Dheyanira's house and start this noble task, while a smaller group stayed in the garden collecting materials and planting the remaining plants. Only the arrival of the downpour and the call of the cooking pot forced them to leave.

Back at home, the women, experts in these tasks, organized the culinary mechanics and quickly made a pot with no less than a hundred tamales and another with delicious punch. To the diner's liking, a glass of Ecuadorian rum could be added. Accompanied by the music of the Southerners Ruben Rada (Uruguay) and the group Caracachumba (Argentina), they patiently awaited the cooking of the delicious tamales, which they enjoyed as if they were manna and the punch: ambrosia.

But as the saying goes, "good things don't last." The group members left one by one, preparing for Monday's work, study, and other obligations that this earthly life brings. They bid farewell with a commitment to attend the presentation on Saturday, December 17, from 3-5 pm at the Mission Cultural Center For Latino Arts: "Black Hole, Time Destroyer," offered by Fernando Izaurieta. Also, suggesting the possibility of coming together again to enjoy contact with Mother Earth, plants, and animals, allowing children and young people a space that combines play and learning.

Until next time.

(*) On Monday mid-morning, Dheyanira and Mauricio went to pick up some things, and at that moment, a large peregrine falcon arrived at the garden.

(**) Manna: In Hebrew, it was the bread sent by God to the Israelites every day during the forty years they wandered in the desert.

(***) Ambrosia: In Greek mythology, it is considered the drink of the gods.