The Maya Blessing

When we built our first barn we had the Catholic Church, the pueblo priest, to bless our ranch. Then we had the drought in '07 that ruined our pastures. Since Tahmek is a Mayan pueblo we thought, well, why not? So we asked for Mayan priests to bless the ranch as well. The older man you see in front of Precious is not only a Mayan priest, but also a very famous Mexican artist who's paintings sell for 10's of thousand of dollars each. And while Precious may look non committal, she is very in-tuned to what is going on. Serious bidness this. You can see some of the irrigation pipeline we have on La Valentina II and what is normally grass higher than my hat dying in the background. Remember, this was jungle only five years ago.

They are praying here and moving to the four corners of the world. Very interesting ceremony and you can believe what you want, but this year, '08, I have seen frogs in life-boats wearing life jackets.

Our working dog, a Blue Heeler named Box Ni, (Black Nose in Maya), wanted to fight me over a snorkel.

Ceremony really under way now. Precious is asking for help here and the priests are telling her she has to believe in the land. The land is always there, it is there to grow the things we need and only to believe it will help us. Pretty simple but really pretty deep.

Later I talked to this priest in length and was amazed in the similarities in the Mayan beliefs and the beliefs of the Native American Indians.

Since these priests eat a lot, and drink a lot, I didn't get to stay for the entire ceremony. I had a lot meat in the smoker and was trying to be in two places at the same time.

At any rate, the ceremony went well, '08 saw more rain than we needed and in fact it went in the wrong direction. All the seed and everything we did was almost washed away. I guess that is a classic example of be careful of what you ask for because you just might get it.

Wonder if these guys can help me with the Lotto?

Learn more about Lil Guts, By Gawd, Precious, Lil Doc, get the download version of the cookbook with over 115 great tasting and easy to cook recipes at http://www.abrokecowboyscookbook.com/ and see the ranch at http://www.rancholavalentina.com/.