Water Truck

Having adequate water in this dry land can be a challenge.

We have four water tanks on our roof that get filled with city water about every other day, but we also have a large lawn to water (my gardening interest is fast waning). To top that off, for a week or so we didn't get city water. So, over the past two months, we have completely run out of water at least three times.

When we run out of water we have to call a water truck to come and re-fill the tanks. See the hose snaking it's way off the back of the truck? It's bigger and heavier than it looks. We have to haul that thing up to the roof from the second floor patio and then hold on for dear life as the water gushes out of it at the force of a fire hose. Would be fun except it seems like every time we ran out of water it was when we were having people over and needed the water to cook for them. AAARRGGHHHH!

Planting Seeds

I enjoy the combined beauty and practicality of a garden filled with flowers, herbs, fruits, and veggies. For the past 6 years I've dreamed of having such a garden, but apartment life combined with the busyness that plagued me since junior high school just really wasn't conducive to that. Ah, so much has changed, thanks to God! Many Kurds have gardens. Like the picture above, roses and flowers and herbs and/or some kind of fruit-bearing tree can be found behind (and is some cases peeking over) many of the tall gates in this city. And many Kurds have grape vines which give them shade to sit under during the hot summer months like the pic below. We don't have a yard, but this past weekend I took the first steps toward a potted garden! A friend gave me some flowers for my birthday and I just planted some Marigolds, African Daisies, and Verbena. So here are my new babies! Maybe some day I'll have a garden like the one above.