April 14, 2025 · 7:36 am

Chicken Feather Guy’s Chueca

During one of our Yacata business receiving days, the Chicken Feather Guy showed up to demand recognition of a certificate he had in his possession. Everything that came out of his mouth was a lie. But we’ll get to that in a minute. When things ended up not going his way, he started spouting threats. He threatened legal action. He threatened to go to the presidencia (town hall). He threatened bringing his moros (I expect he meant his henchmen…disagreeable individuals that will do his bidding.) 

Unraveling the tale wasn’t all that difficult. Here’s how this started. Chuchi, the previous person in charge, sold lots to the left, lots to the right, lots that didn’t exist, lots with other owners, and so on. This lot in question was part of a parcel that belonged to Super Prez’s father, and he has the documentation to prove it. Chuchi sold it anyway to an elderly gentleman known as Fidel el Pancho Villa. Good ol’ Pancho Villa came out regularly with his personal albanil (bricklayer) on his tricycle and eventually a sort of finca (structure), complete with wagon wheel window, evolved. We called it la chueca (the crooked house) because, man, was it crooked. 

Eventually, Pancho Villa died, and his son found the certificate. He came out one day to La Yacata to talk to me about it on a huge spotted horse. I told him that, unfortunately, this certificate was not valid. For clarification, he’d need to speak with Super Prez. So he did. I don’t know if he rode his horse there or not; Super Prez never mentioned it. But the conversation occurred. 

Knowing that the certificate was not valid, the son of Pancho Villa sold it anyway for $5000. The new owner, Huesos (Boney), had some chickens and came out for a while, but less than 6 months later, he sold the lot to Chicken Feather Guy for $3,500 and a potrillo (colt). He told Chicken Feather Guy there were problems with the lot, having talked to me about it, and that he was selling the certificate as is. Chicken Feather Guy came to me with the certificate, and I told him the same story. He seemed to accept that and dismantled the structure that Pancho Villa had built so that he could at least recoup some of his investment. 

Ten years later, he shows up during our “office hours.” I told Super Prez that I wasn’t getting involved because he just infuriates me. Super Prez said to him that the certificate wasn’t valid. Chicken Feather Guy insisted that it was because my husband measured the lot. Then he said he had a certificate issued by us, which wasn’t true. Then he said no one ever told him the certificate was invalid. Of course, I know that I spoke with him personally. I confirmed with Huesos that he had as well. My husband and the Cow Barn Guy had also talked to Chicken Feather Guy about the lot have problems. 

Super Prez asked him to bring all his documentation so we could meet again next week. Chicken Feather Guy hemmed and hawed and then again said he’d go directly to the mayor’s brother. Super Prez countered that he had just come from a meeting with the mayor’s brother, indicating that wasn’t a valid threat. Chicken Feather said he was going to bring everyone involved, Huesos, Pancho Villa’s son, and my husband. Super Prez that was a great idea. Chicken Feather Guy left in a huff. 

Minutes after he left, I happened upon Cow Barn Guy with Huesos on my walk with Cocoa. I confirmed the story as I knew it and both verified that they had told Chicken Feather Guy about issues with the lot, and he bought it anyway. 

As Chicken Feather Guy is a disagreeable sort, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of it. 

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La Yacata Revolution: How NOT to Buy a Piece of Heaven in Mexico

Dreaming of buying a few acres in Mexico and living the good life? 🌴☀️ Think again.

In a place where everyone has a finger in the pie, securing basics like water, sewage, and electricity isn’t as simple as you’d hope. When one off-grid community had enough, they didn’t give up — they revolted.

🔥 La Yacata Revolution is the true tale of how neighbors took matters into their own hands and tried to restructure the Mexican political system—on a grassroots level.

Viva la revolución! ✊
📖 Read the story here: La Yacata Revolution

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April 12, 2025 · 2:39 pm

Watching Human Rights Slip Away

I have to say that the past few months have left me appalled at the actions of the US government. And if current actions are anything to go on, I will continue to be appalled as human rights are stripped from every single immigrant in the land where diversity was once celebrated. 

Because of my community involvement, I regularly come into contact with Norteños (individuals who are Mexican but spend most of their time in the north, otherwise known as the US). Over the past few months, I have been vocal about cautioning them ahead of their intended return when the opportunity arises. The typical response I get is “de lengua me como un taco” which means it’s all exaggerated talk. Some have told me they don’t want to hear anything about it, preferring a head-in-the-sand approach. On their own head be it, then. Others argue that they’ve been in the US for x number of years and nothing bad has happened and that the US could not maintain itself without immigrant workers (both legal and undocumented). While that may be true, it doesn’t seem to faze the current administration. 

Here are some of the things that I’ve been stressing out about because I am powerless to do ANYTHING about it. 

  • The Venezuelan and Salvadorean men that have been sent to CECOT will never see their families again. Despite legal injunctions, more have been deported to that hellhole on Earth this week. 
  • Student protests are grounds for removal. Beliefs that counter those held by those in power are not to be expressed. 
  • Routine traffic stops, immigration check-ins, and social media posts are all grounds for removal.
  • Filing taxes with a legally issued ITIN number gives ICE an excuse to come for you. And even if you have a social security number, you can arbitrarily be declared dead, rendering you unable to work, have a bank account, get a driver’s license, pay taxes, get health insurance, and so on. 
  • Noncitizens aged 14 and older who have been in the U.S. for 30 days or more are legally required to register with USCIS. The registration process involves providing personal information, including fingerprints, address history, and other biographic details. Registered individuals are required to carry proof of registration at all times. 
  • Immigrants waiting for their hearings have been sent messages telling them to self-deport immediately.

I saw that there have been nationwide protests. So what? The individuals in power aren’t stopping. In fact, they’ve become even more brazen. 

History has already shown us what the end result will be. The family detention camps have already been built. 

Here are some links to further reading in case you missed these alarming developments:

📄 News Articles

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April 7, 2025 · 6:55 am

Natural Healing — Zoapatle

Photo credit: Pedro Tenorio Lezama

Zoapatle (Montanoa tomentosa), with spelling variants soapatle, zoapatli in Morelos, zihuatapli, zoapacle, zoapaxtle, zuhuapatli in Puebla, and zoapatl in Tlaxcala is also known as cihuapatli in Nahuatl which means “woman’s medicine.” Other names include roö and toó (Otomi) in Mexico state, Cacopacle in Hidalgo, and Cacachpa, Cacahpachtle, Chapus in Puebla. Other areas use the terms pirimo blanco or perimo (Purépecha), aclinán, yucuyahui, nocuana-titete-xini-ni or yaga-zeche (Zapotec), cuana-xana, ciguapactli, Homah-ak (Maya), and talacao (Guarijío).

This Mexican native bush has fragrant leaves and yellow or white flowers. Traditionally, it has been used to facilitate a difficult delivery and other “women’s issues.” The Florentine Codex records its use in delivery and for bloody diarrhea. Francisco Hernández documents that the plant is considered “hot” and useful in “cold” infirmities. He continued with the information that in addition to inducing labor, it was prescribed for post-partum infections and to bring on menstruation. Francisco Ximénez wrote that it was also useful in alleviating menstrual pain and anxiety. According to Martín de la Cruz, zoapatle root was added to stews and used as a flavoring in pulque. 

A zoapatle leaf and root decoction is prepared with canela (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and chocolate (Theobroma cacao) and given to the laboring mother to speed up delivery. Since the uterine contractions it provokes are extremely strong, zoapatle infusions should only be administered in extreme instances and never when there is something irregular about the baby’s placement, such as a breech birth. Additionally, the infusion can cause fatigue, thirst, and cardio-respiratory depression in the newborn if not taken in proper dosages. Bernardino de Sahagún recorded that this concoction was given right before the baby crowns. A second cup could be given if needed.

Zoaptle leaves combined with maiz root (Zea mays) sweetened with piloncillo (brown sugar cone) taken on an empty stomach is a simple abortifacient. Uterine contractions triggering miscarriage can begin as fast as five to twenty minutes after ingestion. 

An after-birth tea is made with zoapatle leaves, bretónica (Lepechinia caulescens), and epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides), sweetened with chocolate (Theobroma cacao) or piloncillo (brown sugar cone) is served to help expel the placenta and reduce hemorrhaging. The plant and root are chopped and boiled to make a poultice to stop hemorrhaging after birth. 

In the event that contractions are not strong enough to bring on cervical dilation, or the contractions are strong, but the cervix has not dilated, the laboring woman may be given a steam bath in the temazcal with zoapatle leaves. Studies have proven that zoapatle infusions will indeed cause cervical dilation. 

To regulate menstruation, a decoction of zoapatle leaves is drunk in place of water while the woman fasts for three days. For menstrual cramps, the infusion is made with flower buds. Studies have shown that Montanoa tomentosa has an anti-anxiety effect during low-hormonal conditions, such as the premenstrual period. Thus, evidence supports its use as a mood stabilizer and natural antidepressant. 

Zoapatle leaves possess a unique antifertility activity in that it inhibits a fertilized egg’s implantation by affecting uterine motility during ovulation. It does not function as a spermicide. 

Post-delivery, women are encouraged to continue to bath with zoapatle infusion and drink it as an infusion to promote milk production. It may be that the anti-fertility and anti-depressive components of the plant are what most benefit the new mother at this point since there is no scientific evidence of zoapatle either being a galactagogue or an anti-inflammatory agent. If the woman doesn’t become pregnant right away, her milk production won’t drop off as the new fetus develops. Furthermore, the condition necaxantle, generally understood as “woman’s weakness” caused by the loss of menstrual blood, pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare through breastfeeding, evidenced by fatigue, mood swings, and depression, is regulated through the continued use of zoaptle infusions post-partum. 

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Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.

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