Soil Story by Jaqui
“soil was our favorite play material”
As a child of the 80’s, when children still played outside around the neighborhood, soil was our favorite play material. My earliest memories of playing outdoors with neighborhood kids is making mud pies from the dirt in the flowerbed beside our apartment. The faucet next to the flowerbed dripped constantly so we had ready made “dough” for our “panaderia”. We slapped balls of mud between our hands then place them on the concrete to dry to make round pies, pancakes and tortillas.
One of the neighbor kids had a huge overgrown backyard and about 15 of us kids use to play “jungle” here. We dug trenches and fox holes in the dirt to pretend we were hiding from the enemy. Grenades made of dirt balls were our weapon of choice.
In the evening we arrived at home covered in dirt and mud with a few scrapes and bruises to show off. Growing up poor, I didn’t have many toys, but honestly, I had more fun playing in the dirt than playing with my next-door neighbors’ expensive toys and doll houses.
Jordan Salcido
Communications and Community building
Jordan Salcido (she / her) is a multidisciplinary community organizer based in the Los Angeles area. Through a number of projects, she supports efforts to advance environmental justice and amplify community needs and priorities. She greatly believes in the power of storytelling and seeks to shine a light on community stories of strength and resilience. As a California naturalist, Jordan enjoys learning about the land and its plants, animals and people.
Jaqui
Community Scientist
Jacqueline (Jaqui) is a mother of two young boys, a wife and the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. She’s an independent graphic designer living in East Los Angeles, where she was born and raised. Her culture, community and social equity have always been the driving forces behind all that she does in life.
