Uncovering the Dragonfly Ranch

My work partner, Pam, and I, did some exploring in the back of the property today and found a TON of potential. There is a garden with an overabundance of weeds. Pineapple plants poke out of them resiliently, along with rows of chard, kale, and collard greens, and edible wild flowers. Further up, there is a trail with some banana trees as canopy and abandoned structures built on either side. I heard that his place used to be a brothel. It had quite a reputation in the 70s. If what I heard is true, I imagine these used to be servicing rooms. There were about three or four of them. We thought part of it could be transformed into a "staff hang out" place. Most likely, we'll speak it over with Barbara after she comes back from the Health Expo she went to today -- some cheesy convention with people channeling creative energy for positive manifestation, courses on how to paint with your emotions, and $50 group therapy sessions. Ah, maybe it would have been fun. This world IS a spectacle, after all. All those imposters in Santa Cruz have made me quite cynical though, as oriented as I am towards alternative health. It might have been amusing if I just stood back and watched. As the sun went down, Pam and I started weeding between the pineapple patch on the corner of the garden, happy that we would be able to make Barbara pleased. Barbara is the character who runs the place. She has three little matching dogs that she speaks to in a childish voice, touching her fingertips to their snouts. One of them likes to hump a brown teddy bear that Barbara gives her, constantly, before she tries to viciously tear it to pieces with her little jaws. Barbara thinks it’s hilarious, while her guests for the most part just kind of let their jaw drop as they look the other way.
As the sun slid below the horizon line, after finishing weeding the patch of pineapple, Pam and I optimistically resolved that we would work our way inwards and transform this garden into something accessible, and to admire. Ah, the good feeling of being productive. Despite being the messy, passive person that I am, I am building a good work ethic. When I am appreciated, when people are happy with the work that I'm doing . . . I'm just plain satisfied.
About the people I work with: Pam is a 41 year old woman from South Florida who's family is going through the New Orleans crisis. She holds the Bed and Breakfast together. Without her, I would crumble in my ability to fulfill my duties. Then there's Randy, a 50 year old man who smoked pot for twelve years straight and is now out of money (he spend it all on weed). Totally happy to be here and to be of service in exchange for a place to stay. When he was pruning the banana trees today, he yanked on a leaf so hard that he fell backward and down a small slope, as Pam screamed with her hands to her mouth. I looked on with an amused expression as he got up and dusted himself and his ego off. Refraining from an attitude of: "Who are these people and what have I gotten myself into?" I found that a sense of humor is a key to letting things go and surpassing judgment. Everyone's weird, and a little off.
I hope to swim with dolphins tomorrow morning. Don't be too jealous of me though, as I am getting bitten UP over here and have resorted to putting bug spray (i.e. pesticide) all over my body. I think I am going to find a less toxic solution.