We do not refer to ourselves as “a project”. This presupposes some kind of sensible framework. Like we know what we are doing. The reality is that we mainly experiment because almost everything in our Azoia life is a first time. Perhaps a rural project also presupposes a seamless alignment with Mother Nature. That too is not the case. We disagree with many things and break our heads about the question why so many things grow in inconvenient places ? Our yell “You see canas, you cut them” is not very zen but it does reflect our determination in showing the canas (the giant reed) their rightful place where they are allowed to grow to their heart’s content before turning into beautiful mulch for our tree lines. One of the ways to achieve this was stretching agricultural plastic over a field of newly cut reeds to discourage regrowth. In the photo, Ellie crawls below this plastic to wring the necks of the canas that refused to lay down. A loud scream pierces the quietness of the morning when we lift another piece and find an impressive snake enjoying the warm shelter of that same cover. Despite the fright we are happy with this alley in our ongoing fight against the voles.