tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201778738606227644.post484036128426598864..comments2023-04-13T04:46:39.966-04:00Comments on The Kruse Chronicles Continue in Cocoa, Florida: Odd (but regular) Sightings Around the NeighborhoodJeff and Katrina Krusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02471956754496100265noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201778738606227644.post-83717303705581927952008-03-09T12:41:00.000-04:002008-03-09T12:41:00.000-04:00Hi Jeff & Katrina,I think the little kitten was ra...Hi Jeff & Katrina,<BR/><BR/>I think the little kitten was raised by the chickens! I hope he warms up to you guys.<BR/><BR/>The gourd tree is older than my grandparents whom no longer are alive. My grandmother used to make "ditas" by splitting the gourds in halves, getting the meat out, and letting them dry. They were the equivalent of kitchen bowls to aide in food preparation and serve the traditional "bacalao con viandas" or codfish with roots (yuca, yautia, malanga, n~ame, etc.) with sautee onions and olive oil. There used to be a well right next to it, maybe that is why it still survives today with lots of underground water. The tree name in PR spanish is "higuera" (actually from indian word roots, pronounced "eegooera" or something like that) and the bowl tradition dates back to the Taino indians, here is a link with lots of info:<BR/><BR/>www.kacike.org/FerbelEnglish.html<BR/><BR/>Its from the Dominican Republic, but it applies to PR as well since they were the same indigenous people. You'll see where some of the garden root names come from. BTW, the name of the area where you live in San German comes from the name of the indian chief that used to rule over the area at the time the Spanish made it to the island. I always find these things interesting, perhaps you will too.<BR/><BR/>Enjoy!<BR/><BR/>H Jr.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com