Heteroptera

HeteropteraI was so happy with my coffee plant, but unfortunately, my happiness was short-lived. A beetle was just as happy with the plant as I was and started eating all the leaves. Not great, so I had to come up with a solution. Luckily, my own local AI had some advice.

Question for AI: What is an effective way to deal with beetles that are eating the leaves of my coffee plant?

AI advice (using essential oils)

One effective and natural deterrent for beetles, including those that might be eating the leaves of your coffee plant, is a combination of essential oils mixed with water and soap. Here’s an easy-to-make recipe:

### Natural Beetle Deterrent Spray

**Ingredients:**
1. 1 cup of water
2. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (to help the mixture stick to leaves)
3. 1 teaspoon of dish soap (preferably natural, like castile soap)
4. 10-15 drops of essential oils (choose from the following options):
– Peppermint oil (strong scent that beetles dislike)
– Eucalyptus oil
– Tea tree oil
– Citrus oils (like lemon or orange)

**Instructions:**
1. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
2. Shake well before each use to ensure the mixture is properly blended.
3. Spray the solution on both sides of the leaves and the stem of your coffee plant.
4. Apply every 3-5 days, or after rain, until the beetle problem is under control.

### Tips:
– **Test a Small Area First:** Before spraying the entire plant, test a small area to ensure the mixture doesn’t harm your coffee plant.
– **Reapply Regularly:** Beetles can be persistent, so regular application is important.



But wait a minute—essential oils? Oof, I don’t have those at home. Maybe I can just go the old-fashioned way, with water and garlic…

AI advice (based on my own suggestion, using garlic)

Yes, a homemade spray using garlic and onion can act as an effective natural deterrent for beetles and other pests. The strong scent of garlic and onions can repel many insects, including beetles.

Here’s how you can make a DIY garlic and onion insect repellent:

### Garlic and Onion Insect Repellent Spray

**Ingredients:**
1. 1 small bulb of garlic
2. 1 small onion
3. 1 tablespoon of hot pepper flakes (optional, for added deterrent power)
4. 1 liter of water
5. 1 teaspoon of dish soap (to help the solution stick to leaves)

**Instructions:**
1. Peel and roughly chop the garlic and onion.
2. Place the chopped garlic and onion in a blender or food processor with enough water to make a smooth puree.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.
4. Add the strained liquid to a large container or spray bottle.
5. Stir in the hot pepper flakes (if using) and dish soap.
6. Fill the rest of the spray bottle with water.
7. Shake well before each use.

**Application:**
– Spray the mixture on both sides of the leaves, as well as on the stem of your coffee plant.
– Apply the solution every 3-5 days or after rain to maintain its effectiveness.

### Tips:
– **Test a Small Area First:** Before spraying the entire plant, test a small area to ensure the mixture doesn’t harm your coffee plant. Some plants can be sensitive to garlic and onion sprays.
– **Store Properly:** Keep any unused mixture in the refrigerator if you plan to use it within a few days. Otherwise, make fresh batches as needed.

This natural spray should help deter beetles from eating the leaves of your coffee plant without resorting to chemical pesticides.


Need for speed

It was all there, a complete set of emotions and feelings… Speed, fear, overtaking, adrenaline, noise, vibrations, (small) crashes, sweat, winning, loosing. A complete birthday party of one of their friends at the kart tracks in the sun. A nice event, and the kids really liked it, so maybe we need to try this a few more times.
Alex, lord of the asfalt!Alan, master of speed!

Pel

The whole family is happy with our new family member. Pelucita, or Pel to her friends, is a super friendly hamster and has completely adapted to her new environment. She lives in Alan’s room and runs laps in her wheel every night. Every day, Alan picks her up and pets her, and often activities are organized for her. Huge mazes, vertical climbing challenges, and puzzles that must be solved for a peanut or a sunflower seed.

Her enclosure is about three times larger than the one she had in the pet store, where she lived with seven siblings. We built the entire setup ourselves, except for the running wheel. It consists of a large plastic bin, a food dish, and a water supply. There are a few tree trunks where she can hide, a wooden house with a slanted roof, and half a coconut with a convenient entrance. The floor is covered with a generous layer of paper for digging, along with a container of dried grass. She also has quite a few toilet paper roll puzzles, where we occasionally hide some food.

Not only is Pel an incredibly sweet housemate, but she is also very photogenic. So, we held a little photo session at home.

May ’25

May is a month full of routine. We started the month with a very nice route over/through the water. I make a video about the route, but I still need to shorten/edit it. A week later, I had to get moving—a 10 km run with a few of my colleagues. The 10 km went surprisingly well; I had a very solid time of 0:49:19, averaging 4:55 per kilometer, just under five minutes which for me personally is a very good result.

Alan!Alan has an official celebration! A football friend is celebrating his communion and has invited him. Alan was very happy to go together with his best friend, without his parents. He went pincel perfect, with styled hair, perfume, soft creamed skin, and a classy outfit perfect for the occasion.

A few days later, I went to Don Chuleton with some friends. We’ve been there a couple of times before. It’s a men-only event, no women, no children, where we basically just catch up, eat meat, and drink wine.

About 76 coffee beans

Coffee!I got another chance! My first coffee plant provided me with a few beans, but not even close enough for making a cup of coffee. My second plant was even worse with only a single bean. Both plants died soon after the first harvest. After these two plants I kept trying, buying a few small plants every few years, and trying to keep them happy. Usually the plants would not last more than a couple of months.

Now, almost 15 years later things seem to have changed. Maybe it is the small drop in temprature, maybe it is the minor increase in precipitation (a bit more rain). Maybe it is something I dont even realise that I stumbled apon by pure luck. I dont know for sure, but what I do know is that my current coffee plant is thriving. It is still without flowers, but I feel confident enough to already start the research. I need 76 coffee beans for a single cup of coffee.

  1. Harvesting – Pick ripe coffee cherries when they turn red.
  2. Pulping – Remove the outer fruit to extract the beans.
  3. Fermenting – Soak the beans in water for 2-3 days to remove the mucilage layer. I will use my shrimp farm for some extra clean beans
  4. Drying – Let the beans dry in the sun until they harden.
  5. Hulling – Remove the parchment layer to reveal the green coffee beans.
  6. Roasting – Roast the beans in a pan until they reach your desired level.
  7. Grinding – Grind the roasted beans to your preferred consistency.
  8. Brewing – Use your favorite brewing method to make coffee

ARC

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), is a sailing event that begins in Las Palmas and crosses the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean, typically ending in Saint Lucia. It has been held annually since 1986 and attracts sailors from all over the world. The event is not just a race but also a social and adventurous experience, with over 200 boats and 1200 participants joining each year. Participants range from families and cruising couples to competitive racers, all sharing the excitement of crossing the Atlantic.

Subject: Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC)
Port: Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, El Muelle Deportivo
Coordinates: 28.126773, -15.427434
Date: End of November

The ARC Ships set sail in Las Palmas and cross the Atlantic ocean on their way to the Caribbean and it all starts right at our doorstep. A big event which comprises lots of small and personal events. I was immediately intrigued by the messages left by sailors on the verge of altering their mind, and embracing a drastic change for their futures. Small pieces of art left on the rocks of the harbor of Las Palmas, which directly invite you to wonder. Some came prepared and left their mark with precision and an eye for detail. Some left their rushed markings in the spur of the moment.

Even when we cannot possibly know what became of all those adventurers, we can be sure that minds were opened. People grew, and valuable lessons were learned.

I enjoy taking photos, but unfortunately, I don’t have much time for it. Still, I managed to capture quite a few shots in the nearby marina. It has become a tradition for the boats participating in the ARC to leave a message behind. These messages are painted on the rocks of the marina. Some disappear quickly due to a combination of salt, wind, and water. It’s a real shame because they are not just simple drawings or names. They mark a moment in someone’s personal history, someone on the verge of a life-changing adventure. A journey of weeks that may coincide with a significant shift in lifestyle. I can only admire that.

April ’25

Alan finished his first official football competition. His team reached the forth place, out of eight. Very good for his first time. We are all very proud.

This month we also celebrated ‘Semana Santa’, a two day holiday everywhere in Spain. Miguel visited us! Alex’ godfather and Alans pan-godfather. The entire family always enjoys the visits from Miguel and during each visit we try and do something new. I think Alan had the most enjoyment this time. Miguel took the kids to an Argentinian restaurant with a Michelin mention. Alan was extatic for days about the food he ate, and I was told in detail all the plates they ate, and all the things that happened during dinner. A lasting impression for sure. Alex was also very satisfied, but it was not his first culinary adventure, so for him it was less impressive.

Doubler

For my last post about vitamin C I did some research just to be sure I wasn’t giving any incorrect or unhealthy advice. However, I realized that I was taking a relatively low dose! I was taking a dose much higher than the recommended dosage but it was still much less than the safe maximum. This month I started with a new double dose. 2 Grams a day. As of now I notice very little effect. I had a cold this month, so it did not help in avoiding this. I do notice that sometimes I see things clearer. More clarify then I look around, but also more clarity in my thoughts. All this is hard to prove, and I suspect a lot of this is simply my imagination. I’m going to keep up with my new dosage, to see if something happens.

In the middle

Inter Colonia B!Not bad at all! Alan’s first football tournament has finished, and they ended up right in the middle. His team has secured fourth place! Super good! Alan turned out to be one of the top scorers on his team, and we’re naturally very thrilled for him.

Results Statistics
Ranking Team Points Won Tied Lost
1 Muelle Grande 37 12 1 1
2 Las Coloradas 36 12 0 2
3 Guiniguada B 30 10 0 4
4 Inter Colonia B 18 6 0 8
5 Alcotan Canarias 17 5 2 7
6 Pedro Hidalgo 15 5 0 9
7 Victoria C 9 3 0 11
8 Atletico Isleta B 4 1 1 12

Last game: Inter Colonia – Las Coloradas

Inter Colonia!Las Coloradas!The last match of the tournament! It would be very nice to finish with a win. It is a home game, so we have an advantage.

Ai, the first half started not so good, with three goals by the other team. The second half was even worse with at least four six more goals. I even lost count.

26 apr Inter Colonia B 0 – 9 Las Coloradas
Complete list all results
26 apr Inter Colonia B 0 – 9 Las Coloradas
11 apr Guiniguada B 3 – 2 Inter Colonia B
4 apr Pedro Hidalgo B 1 – 0 Inter Colonia B
29 mar Inter Colonia B 7 – 2 Victoria C
22 mar Alcotan Canarias 5 – 2 Inter Colonia B
15 mar Inter Colonia B 7 – 0 Atletico Isleta B
8 mar Muelle Grande 8 – 3 Inter Colonia B
1 mar Las Coloradas 10 – 3 Inter Colonia B
22 feb Inter Colonia B 4 – 5 Guiniguada B
15 feb Inter Colonia B 5 – 4 Pedro Hidalgo B
8 feb Victoria C 6 – 8 Inter Colonia B
1 feb Inter Colonia B 2 – 1 Alcotan Canarias
25 jan Atletico Isleta B 4 – 7 Inter Colonia B
18 jan Inter Colonia B 2 – 4 Muelle Grande

Inter Colonia B!