Dormilona, the sleepy little plant

Ahh yes, what does the name of the blog mean? In surprisingly the same alliterative ilk as Shanghai Shines, I was moved to name the blog after the cute little plant with a pink fluffy flower that is found in just about any disturbed area of forest, in open fields, and around the lakeshore. Mimosa pudica, also known as the sensitive plant, interestingly curls up its leaves in response to touch or nearby movement. Dormilona is most known as a sedative to treat insomnia. I'm planning on making a sleeping potion with it and hopefully some passionflower when the plant sprouts more leaves.

Much like the daze produced by drinking dormilona tea, I still feel like the life I live is very much a fuzzy dream. My most recent task has been to paint new identification placards for medicinal herbs and doing acupuncture treatments in between dryings. Most of the people I treat are acupuncture virgins so it's great fun to introduce them to the medicine. My favorite post-acupuncture reaction so far was from a Tico volunteer, Melissa when she sleepily said, Que rica!, a phrase often reserved for a delicious meal. My best advertising around here are the cupping marks I leave on people's shoulders and backs. They're always a conversation starter. I've also got the reputation now for helping people stop smoking, four in one week! I could have my own smoke out. I've also discovered the beauty of live music during an acupuncture treatment. During a session for a volunteer, another volunteer, Ian, played and sang during the treatment which was very soothing for me and the patient during the needling process. I think waiting rooms everywhere would be infinitely better with someone playing a bit of soft bluegrass or folk rock while you anxiously wait to see your doctor.

It's still pretty busy here at the Ranch, which is a good thing. We have a ton of volunteers at the moment and each comes with different goals for their time here. One woman, Leeann is here with her daughter Comaria and is getting more farming experience before she returns to the U.S. to start her own farm. Another recently married couple, PJ and Amy, are doing a bit of Central American travel before they return to the States to begin graduate school. A Canadian, Danielle, is on a yoga sabbatical in Costa Rica for an undetermined amount of time, going where the wind takes her. Jesse, after being laid off in Boston and not finding work, decided to travel, clear his mind, and reevaluate his priorities. There's really great energy at the Ranch which attracts guests and volunteers with equally great energy. It's hard not to get a little attached to the people we meet here. We being the "lifers" will see many people come and go. Such is life, but it's good practice for living in the present and enjoying the here, now. Pura Vida!

PS: Pictures are difficult to load so they will be coming the next time we get into Fortuna. Kisses!