Well, working on day 4 of this crud...Gabral and Miss Estaline also have this as well, so it is not just me ... am hungry today, but still don't want to eat, cause nothing sounds appetizing.  tried Myrtle's fried rice last night and couldn't eat much of that ... have a metallic taste in my mouth ... just had some fresh OJ, cause that sounded good, but now my stomach is clenching!  dumb Goldie dumb! 

all I feel like doing is sleeping, reading and a bit of moving around, losing weight, (not a bad thing, but not good this way!) and feeling generally lethargic.  Don't mean to alarm any of you (my kids especially) Dad is keeping a good eye on me, just trying to keep y'all updated.

Zane and Jay are currently working on the shutters and doors for Jay's house but have taken a break to make me a stool that I can use to sit up at the bar in the house to sew.  I need to get more active ... just can't get too far for the toilet.  Gotta get healthy enough to have my saurkraut good luck for the New Year ... btw ... Happy New Year all!  ... hope this will be a special one for us all

So, hey to y'all ... sorry haven't been on for the last few days ... dealing with the galloping crud, even into today, but that first day laid me flat the whole day and yesterday had only enough energy to do a bit of laundry and then back on the bed.

Things are moving along okay here ... yesterday was one of our greatgrand daughter's birthday ... Zane and Jay took her and Gabe on the motorcycles to the local pastor's house who sells ice cream, for a treat (including the motorcycle ride) ... I stayed back and away from all who I might give this crud to.

nice weather, though showers overnight again ...
the pictures below are some of the house arriving, being unloaded and then when it was completed being varnished.  Lastly a pic of our Belize Christmas/Yule tree.  Hope these come through and are visable ... enjoy and I will write more later

will attempt to add some pictures here ... Note the yellow bike ... My Yule gift from my wonderful hubby! ... I love it. will have more interior pic in the next day or two

'Tis the day after Boxing Day here in Gales Point and most things are going back to 'more' normal.  The Village is quiet this morning at 7:32 AM due most likely, to the long night of 'Bharoming' in the village.  This consisted of a long night of drumming and call and response dancing/singing in a tradition African type of manner ...  the villagers went from house to house on Christmas night and last night doing this throughout the whole long village...covering all the territory over the two nights.  Lots of drinking accompanied this ... reminded me of Dragonfest drum circles without the fire and such in one place.

It is overcast today with a slight breeze ... Zane and Jay are preparing to work on the shutters for his house so that they can get that enclosed and them over here sooner.  Zane said it rained last night, but I didn't hear it.

Need to go into Stann Creek in the next day or so to get more coaxial (sp?) cable for the antenna to get this internet connection into the house ... then, the threat of rain won't stop my blogging and emailing and surfing.  Also, we need to pick up the $35 (BZ) 8 lb pork roast that Zane ordered for our traditional new years meal ... I brought along canned (mine) saurkraut for our first  food of the new year (a Felix family tradition) for good luck

I may have more later to write about, but for now, signing off!

Well, Merry Christmas, happy late Yule to y'all! ... finally online ... currently setting on top of the septic tank (lol) b/c the connection to the anntenna is not into the house as yet ... It is Christmas day and hopefully we will try to Skype friends and family later today, if not then, at least a phone call to them. 
There was a Christmas fund raiser for the women's group in the village last night ... Myrtle and many other new friends were in it ... started late as per usual here in the village ... kinda pagan/island time here to the shagrin of Mel, the missionary woman in charge of the program. It seems she to is intolerant of the lack of committment on the villager's part.  It was a funny program, however I only "got" half of it b/c of noise level, cheering, laughter and Creole language barriers.  Took many pictures for Mel and Myrtle.  A good effort on the part of the ladies ... definately Christmas Carribean style! ... recently I saw a Christmas gift bag labeled  "Marry Chriastmas" ... definately different culture wise.  Right now I am being bombarded with someone very loud radio of music (not Christmasy in the least).  Somewhat invasive to be sure, although the music is okay, just not what we usually listen to as a choice.

Went to the hospital yesterday ... got anti-biotics for an infected spot on my elbow ... it was staph as I suspected which is why I chose to go.  Not sure how I got it, but it is already clearing, just painful.

Gave Zane his usual Playboy calendar this morning ... our Christmas gifts to each other were the motorcycles and his to me was my bike.

Definately nice to sit here on a warm tropical day and know that it is Christmas Belize style.  I can definately say I love being warm all the time.  It has been cool the last few days ... in the high 60's and low 70's through the nights and in the morning ... I am wearing a long sleeved shirt as I sit here and am very comfortable. 

Having mixed emotions as we have moved into this house we are now in ... the grandchildren are distanting themselves from us and that is sad, plus now feel like strangers in their house rather than family.  Our food is sent here rather than us eating with them ... feels like we are definately being set asside. 

Well, want to write individual emails here, so will sign off with a Merry Christmas to one and all and will definately post daily from now on!  Will include photos either later today, or in the next couple of days ... BTW ... Zane is growing back his hair in anticipation of going back to a colder climate.

cutting and pasting more blogging here today ... still no daily internet fix, so have to depend on the kindness of the local missionary ... hopefully we will have the internet very soon. love to all friends and family ... Janie and Zane

November 27, 2012

 

So, today Zane and Jason took a transport to Belize (City) and Myrtle and Sherylan went to Stann Creek on the bus ... I stayed home ... the kids were all in school ... I washed Zane's and my clothes Gales Point style and then weeded out the rotting grapefruits from the bag and put them on the compost ... Monnie stopped by with a new bag of oranges which Zane will pay for when they get back...another young man bought by a sour sap fruit which we will pay for later.  The sour sap fruit is what, when mixed with sweetened condensed milk make a sour sap "Ideal" ... this is Zane's and my favorite dessert here in Gales Point ... it is like a cross between ice cream and frozen yoghurt ... but, amazingly enough Zane likes it! ...

Now, everyone is back, the bugs are biting so I have stopped sewing on the veranda and came inside to write this ... all day, after the chores above, I worked on the BOM's (blocks of the Month) for the two quilts I am making.  I also worked on quite a few of the blocks for Jacobs quilt.  I am making him one that I (Mostly) pre-cut before I came  ... so it's going together quite fast. 

One if the new little girls Brieanna came by and wanted to know when she can sew again ... I told her I needed her and 4 other girls to form a new group of sewers.  She was excited about that.  I took her picture for the calendar for next year and got her birthday date and put it on the new calendar that is for this year.  As soon as I get internet, that is something I will start to put together ... a Gales Point Calendar for 2014.

Zane and Jay came back with tales ... Fixodent, which cost around 5$ in Wal-Mart is $11 US!!!  Brayer’s ice cream is $40 for a 1/2 gallon!  Needless to say, I will have to have Winna send us a care package for the Fixodent soon, 'cause we each only brought 3 tubes!   A ham was astronomical too...$140 Belize, making that $70 US!!!

November 29, 2012

So, a cool and breezy morning after a night of, as the Navajo would call it, female rain...it is 74° in the house and 60 something degrees outside on the veranda ... unfortunately I can't use the veranda this morning for sewing, 'cause Jay and Zane confiscated it for their woodworking of the shutters b/c of the dampness of everything in the side yard.

Yesterday we 'poled' in a boat over to Sticky's property when we hope to build our house.  We still haven’t decided if it will be a permanent move or a 'snowbird' one, but at any rate it is unlikely to happen this visit that it even gets started ... things here are definitely running on island/pagan time ... very slow and laid back ... which is a bit frustrating, as Zane and I would both like to see things move a bit faster. 

The area where Sticky has his land is more secluded from the village and is lovely … a great view of the whole lagoon, overlooking some nice houses on the other side, and he has planted many flowers already and has the proposed driveway laid out.  His house will set on the piers that he has already put there and ours will be forward and a bit over from there.  It is easy to envision the future plans for small cabanas and palapas for guests on this land without crowding those of us who are there.

I finished a grass basket made of the fever grass and other local grasses … it turned out well and I am happy with the results … J I have, however, run out, almost, of raffia and tried to order more, however they do not ship to Belize, so I guess I will try to order, have it sent to Heather and then she can repackage it and send it on to me stuffed into as small and light a package as possible, probably along with some Fixodent type stuff!

December 1, 2012

Another week and my baby girl has her big birthday! … hopefully we will be able to talk to her on her birthday … we went to Spanish Lookout (the Mennonite community in Cayo district) yesterday … we got the wood Zane and Jay needed to finish the doors and shutters to his home, a cell phone that will hopefully reach out of the village and a bike for Andrea.  When we were here last, we bought bikes for Kasey and Gabral but not for Andrea … now she has one too and her small one will be handed down to Myrtz Myrtz. 

Today is very sad … an 11 month old baby girl died from the village … they thought it was chicken pox that she had, but then her hands were swollen like an allergic reaction to something and she wouldn’t nurse, only cry and cry … they took her to another hospital in Belize and she passed this morning … the only child of young parents, mother only 18 …

It’s been a bit emotional here because of all of us in this small space … Myrtle and I are having difficulty … different ways of functioning … I think I am helping and she thinks she is offending me … we all sat down and talked things thru this morning and hopefully things will be better … there is a possibility of another place for temporary space … remains to be seen

Raining again today after a sunny morning … rained most of yesterday … ‘tis the rainy season here … yah, just was able to get a call thru on the new phone to Heather to tell her to use the debit card to get $ out for her birthday gift! … good reception and even on 1 bar she heard us well … still not sure how many minutes we got on the triple up day for the phone, guess we will see soon.

December 2, 2012

Sunday … Jay and Myrtz went to church … Zane took a motorcycle ride … I burned some of the burn pile (unfortunately they burn plastic and Styrofoam here as well as paper stuff because there is no place to take it … I will look into this more closely, b/c the fumes alone from the burning were very toxic

Then my sewing girls (several of them) came and we tried to go to the community center … it was chaos b/c of the disrespectful and disruptive boys who gathered and were in and out of Jay’s truck and the building … will need to find a better spot to hold the classes b/c the boys won’t stay away (teen boys and teen girls, what can I say) ….

Zane was quite pleased, he got in touch with his sister, Nancy and her cancer count is down more, which is very good! … I guess   he surprised her with his call, which is what he wanted to do.  He was also able to contact Mark to give Heather some info for us … so, the phone is definitely working well.  Zane was upset with me for telling y’all about his fine, but I told his that is what a blog is about … all things!

Yah! Got a hold of Winna tonight!  Beltane (my cat) is still giving her cat, Dante, a hard time … but at least she is out and about and not in hiding … Winn still hasn’t found a job, so, everyone, put good vibes out there for her to find something soon!  It was so good to talk to a friend!  I miss many of your that I interact with more frequently … Myrtle has her social group, but they talk their Creole so fast that I can’t understand half of what they say … the Americans in the village are all involved with bring the Christian word to the villagers so, we don’t really have much in common.  I don’t proselytize, so when they try to talk of Christianity to me or anti Obama, I kinda just excuse myself and leave … they use bribes to get the women to bible study and that seems very wrong to me … like, they draw numbers and the one that comes up gets a gift of their choice for being there … so, I will just be me by example I guess.

December 3, 2012

Another rainy day, but it doesn’t feel as confining as it does back east or even in NM … here there are veranda’s to be on to sew or carpenter or whatever and plus there is always a nice breeze … today I even had to put on a light shirt b/c the breeze was almost chilly. 

Naomi, the young woman who did my braids last time, Sticky’s daughter, came by to see me today … she would like to learn how to sew so she can make curtains for her home … she just got back in the village, b/c she was in Belize taking care of her mom … we had heard Sticky’s wife had lost her foot before we got down here, so that is where she was helping her mom.

Zane and Jay are kinda going stir crazy b/c of not being able to work outside, but this morning, early, they did go out and cut a whole load of bamboo from the bamboo forest to do the partitions in Myrtle and Jay’s house.   Loggie, a guy from the village came by and showed them how to cut the bamboo to flatten it for making the walls … pretty cool!

December 4, 2012

Another rainy day off and on … I did wash for Zane and myself today Gales Point style … will be happy when we get to a place where there is enough power to run the washer … I don’t mind hanging clothes, I do it in NM, but just feel that things aren’t getting as clean … also … need to find an old fashioned wringer … my and Myrtles hands just don’t do a good wringing! … plus, after hanging the rains came and soaked things even further … one thing I definitely appreciate more and more about NM … the dry air that dries clothes really fast! 

Zane and Jay were working with the bamboo again today and a guy, Alyice, came by and with his machete did fast work with the bamboo and with all three working got the whole pile done that they had here.  He just stepped in and banged it out!  Such is the nature of some of the adults here … others, just stroll by, look or stand and watch but don’t step in to help.

Was working with the kids with their homework tonight … will be taking that on from here on out … really will need to pick brains with my daughter when I get back … it seems they (the government) are threatening to close down the local school and ship the kids into Dangriga next year … if they do that, Myrtz and Jay want to home school, but by US standards, not Belize standards … Gabral has already been kept back b/c he is behind his grade level and Andrea and Kasey are not in great shape learning wise … the teachers have many students, have to clean the toilets and class rooms in the morning before school as well as prepare for teaching .. Recently they did away with corporal punishment by teachers to students and apparently kids who were used to being spanked and can’t be now, are acting out b/c they know that the teachers can’t do anything … most of the parents don’t back up the teachers so the kids are disruptive and difficult.  I also found out the high school, if of any quality, is not free.  Sherilan’s son, MJ (Myrtle’s sister and nephew) has to come up with 600 Belize$ per year for MJ to attend a parochial high school and he is a good student and motivated.  However Sherilan is having difficulty coming up with the money ... so, the kids can still attend, but the parents don’t get to see the report cards or talk to the teachers or have any way of knowing how their child is doing unless the pay … there is a public high school and trade schools, but their quality of education is sub par … several young men in the village were given full ride scholarships in the past, but quit b/c of the teacher … it is a sad commentary on the country of Belize that they aren’t concerned about their future generations!

Today was the funeral for the little baby here in the village… very sorrowful day … Myrtz and Jay went to the funeral … apparently Nigel lost a son before, which I wasn’t aware of, and of course, as some of you know, M&J almost lost Gabe while living in CO due to encephalitis and meningitis…so it was especially poignant for them to be there and to in an odd way, count their own blessings … kinda like there but for the grace of the Goddess/God go they.

Jay and Zane walked up to Gentles Breezy Spot tonight for their rehydration … the other day when we were all talking through the rough patch we were experiencing, myrtle mentioned that Pops (Zane) was not only Pops to Jay but also his best friend and that none of us wants that to be harmed … since then, Myrtz and I are more aware of our feelings and working on keeping them in hand

November 27, 2012

 

So, today Zane and Jason took a transport to Belize (City) and Myrtle and Sherylan went to Stann Creek on the bus ... I stayed home ... the kids were all in school ... I washed Zane's and my clothes Gales Point style and then weeded out the rotting grapefruits from the bag and put them on the compost ... Monnie stopped by with a new bag of oranges which Zane will pay for when they get back...another young man bought by a sour sap fruit which we will pay for later.  The sour sap fruit is what, when mixed with sweetened condensed milk make a sour sap "Ideal" ... this is Zane's and my favorite dessert here in Gales Point ... it is like a cross between ice cream and frozen yoghurt ... but, amazingly enough Zane likes it! ...

Now, everyone is back, the bugs are biting so I have stopped sewing on the veranda and came inside to write this ... all day, after the chores above, I worked on the BOM's (blocks of the Month) for the two quilts I am making.  I also worked on quite a few of the blocks for Jacobs quilt.  I am making him one that I (Mostly) pre-cut before I came  ... so it's going together quite fast. 

One if the new little girls Brieanna came by and wanted to know when she can sew again ... I told her I needed her and 4 other girls to form a new group of sewers.  She was excited about that.  I took her picture for the calendar for next year and got her birthday date and put it on the new calendar that is for this year.  As soon as I get internet, that is something I will start to put together ... a Gales Point Calendar for 2014.

Zane and Jay came back with tales ... Fixodent, which cost around 5$ in Wal-Mart is $11 US!!!  Brayer’s ice cream is $40 for a 1/2 gallon!  Needless to say, I will have to have Winna send us a care package for the Fixodent soon, 'cause we each only brought 3 tubes!   A ham was astronomical too...$140 Belize, making that $70 US!!!

November 29, 2012

So, a cool and breezy morning after a night of, as the Navajo would call it, female rain...it is 74° in the house and 60 something degrees outside on the veranda ... unfortunately I can't use the veranda this morning for sewing, 'cause Jay and Zane confiscated it for their woodworking of the shutters b/c of the dampness of everything in the side yard.

Yesterday we 'poled' in a boat over to Sticky's property when we hope to build our house.  We still haven’t decided if it will be a permanent move or a 'snowbird' one, but at any rate it is unlikely to happen this visit that it even gets started ... things here are definitely running on island/pagan time ... very slow and laid back ... which is a bit frustrating, as Zane and I would both like to see things move a bit faster. 

The area where Sticky has his land is more secluded from the village and is lovely … a great view of the whole lagoon, overlooking some nice houses on the other side, and he has planted many flowers already and has the proposed driveway laid out.  His house will set on the piers that he has already put there and ours will be forward and a bit over from there.  It is easy to envision the future plans for small cabanas and palapas for guests on this land without crowding those of us who are there.

I finished a grass basket made of the fever grass and other local grasses … it turned out well and I am happy with the results … J I have, however, run out, almost, of raffia and tried to order more, however they do not ship to Belize, so I guess I will try to order, have it sent to Heather and then she can repackage it and send it on to me stuffed into as small and light a package as possible, probably along with some Fixodent type stuff!

December 1, 2012

Another week and my baby girl has her big birthday! … hopefully we will be able to talk to her on her birthday … we went to Spanish Lookout (the Mennonite community in Cayo district) yesterday … we got the wood Zane and Jay needed to finish the doors and shutters to his home, a cell phone that will hopefully reach out of the village and a bike for Andrea.  When we were here last, we bought bikes for Kasey and Gabral but not for Andrea … now she has one too and her small one will be handed down to Myrtz Myrtz. 

Today is very sad … an 11 month old baby girl died from the village … they thought it was chicken pox that she had, but then her hands were swollen like an allergic reaction to something and she wouldn’t nurse, only cry and cry … they took her to another hospital in Belize and she passed this morning … the only child of young parents, mother only 18 …

It’s been a bit emotional here because of all of us in this small space … Myrtle and I are having difficulty … different ways of functioning … I think I am helping and she thinks she is offending me … we all sat down and talked things thru this morning and hopefully things will be better … there is a possibility of another place for temporary space … remains to be seen

Raining again today after a sunny morning … rained most of yesterday … ‘tis the rainy season here … yah, just was able to get a call thru on the new phone to Heather to tell her to use the debit card to get $ out for her birthday gift! … good reception and even on 1 bar she heard us well … still not sure how many minutes we got on the triple up day for the phone, guess we will see soon.

December 2, 2012

Sunday … Jay and Myrtz went to church … Zane took a motorcycle ride … I burned some of the burn pile (unfortunately they burn plastic and Styrofoam here as well as paper stuff because there is no place to take it … I will look into this more closely, b/c the fumes alone from the burning were very toxic

Then my sewing girls (several of them) came and we tried to go to the community center … it was chaos b/c of the disrespectful and disruptive boys who gathered and were in and out of Jay’s truck and the building … will need to find a better spot to hold the classes b/c the boys won’t stay away (teen boys and teen girls, what can I say) ….

Zane was quite pleased, he got in touch with his sister, Nancy and her cancer count is down more, which is very good! … I guess   he surprised her with his call, which is what he wanted to do.  He was also able to contact Mark to give Heather some info for us … so, the phone is definitely working well.  Zane was upset with me for telling y’all about his fine, but I told his that is what a blog is about … all things!

Yah! Got a hold of Winna tonight!  Beltane (my cat) is still giving her cat, Dante, a hard time … but at least she is out and about and not in hiding … Winn still hasn’t found a job, so, everyone, put good vibes out there for her to find something soon!  It was so good to talk to a friend!  I miss many of your that I interact with more frequently … Myrtle has her social group, but they talk their Creole so fast that I can’t understand half of what they say … the Americans in the village are all involved with bring the Christian word to the villagers so, we don’t really have much in common.  I don’t proselytize, so when they try to talk of Christianity to me or anti Obama, I kinda just excuse myself and leave … they use bribes to get the women to bible study and that seems very wrong to me … like, they draw numbers and the one that comes up gets a gift of their choice for being there … so, I will just be me by example I guess.

December 3, 2012

Another rainy day, but it doesn’t feel as confining as it does back east or even in NM … here there are veranda’s to be on to sew or carpenter or whatever and plus there is always a nice breeze … today I even had to put on a light shirt b/c the breeze was almost chilly. 

Naomi, the young woman who did my braids last time, Sticky’s daughter, came by to see me today … she would like to learn how to sew so she can make curtains for her home … she just got back in the village, b/c she was in Belize taking care of her mom … we had heard Sticky’s wife had lost her foot before we got down here, so that is where she was helping her mom.

Zane and Jay are kinda going stir crazy b/c of not being able to work outside, but this morning, early, they did go out and cut a whole load of bamboo from the bamboo forest to do the partitions in Myrtle and Jay’s house.   Loggie, a guy from the village came by and showed them how to cut the bamboo to flatten it for making the walls … pretty cool!

December 4, 2012

Another rainy day off and on … I did wash for Zane and myself today Gales Point style … will be happy when we get to a place where there is enough power to run the washer … I don’t mind hanging clothes, I do it in NM, but just feel that things aren’t getting as clean … also … need to find an old fashioned wringer … my and Myrtles hands just don’t do a good wringing! … plus, after hanging the rains came and soaked things even further … one thing I definitely appreciate more and more about NM … the dry air that dries clothes really fast! 

Zane and Jay were working with the bamboo again today and a guy, Alyice, came by and with his machete did fast work with the bamboo and with all three working got the whole pile done that they had here.  He just stepped in and banged it out!  Such is the nature of some of the adults here … others, just stroll by, look or stand and watch but don’t step in to help.

Was working with the kids with their homework tonight … will be taking that on from here on out … really will need to pick brains with my daughter when I get back … it seems they (the government) are threatening to close down the local school and ship the kids into Dangriga next year … if they do that, Myrtz and Jay want to home school, but by US standards, not Belize standards … Gabral has already been kept back b/c he is behind his grade level and Andrea and Kasey are not in great shape learning wise … the teachers have many students, have to clean the toilets and class rooms in the morning before school as well as prepare for teaching .. Recently they did away with corporal punishment by teachers to students and apparently kids who were used to being spanked and can’t be now, are acting out b/c they know that the teachers can’t do anything … most of the parents don’t back up the teachers so the kids are disruptive and difficult.  I also found out the high school, if of any quality, is not free.  Sherilan’s son, MJ (Myrtle’s sister and nephew) has to come up with 600 Belize$ per year for MJ to attend a parochial high school and he is a good student and motivated.  However Sherilan is having difficulty coming up with the money ... so, the kids can still attend, but the parents don’t get to see the report cards or talk to the teachers or have any way of knowing how their child is doing unless the pay … there is a public high school and trade schools, but their quality of education is sub par … several young men in the village were given full ride scholarships in the past, but quit b/c of the teacher … it is a sad commentary on the country of Belize that they aren’t concerned about their future generations!

Today was the funeral for the little baby here in the village… very sorrowful day … Myrtz and Jay went to the funeral … apparently Nigel lost a son before, which I wasn’t aware of, and of course, as some of you know, M&J almost lost Gabe while living in CO due to encephalitis and meningitis…so it was especially poignant for them to be there and to in an odd way, count their own blessings … kinda like there but for the grace of the Goddess/God go they.

Jay and Zane walked up to Gentles Breezy Spot tonight for their rehydration … the other day when we were all talking through the rough patch we were experiencing, myrtle mentioned that Pops (Zane) was not only Pops to Jay but also his best friend and that none of us wants that to be harmed … since then, Myrtz and I are more aware of our feelings and working on keeping them in hand

November 27, 2012

 

So, today Zane and Jason took a transport to Belize (City) and Myrtle and Sherylan went to Stann Creek on the bus ... I stayed home ... the kids were all in school ... I washed Zane's and my clothes Gales Point style and then weeded out the rotting grapefruits from the bag and put them on the compost ... Monnie stopped by with a new bag of oranges which Zane will pay for when they get back...another young man bought by a sour sap fruit which we will pay for later.  The sour sap fruit is what, when mixed with sweetened condensed milk make a sour sap "Ideal" ... this is Zane's and my favorite dessert here in Gales Point ... it is like a cross between ice cream and frozen yoghurt ... but, amazingly enough Zane likes it! ...

Now, everyone is back, the bugs are biting so I have stopped sewing on the veranda and came inside to write this ... all day, after the chores above, I worked on the BOM's (blocks of the Month) for the two quilts I am making.  I also worked on quite a few of the blocks for Jacobs quilt.  I am making him one that I (Mostly) pre-cut before I came  ... so it's going together quite fast. 

One if the new little girls Brieanna came by and wanted to know when she can sew again ... I told her I needed her and 4 other girls to form a new group of sewers.  She was excited about that.  I took her picture for the calendar for next year and got her birthday date and put it on the new calendar that is for this year.  As soon as I get internet, that is something I will start to put together ... a Gales Point Calendar for 2014.

Zane and Jay came back with tales ... Fixodent, which cost around 5$ in Wal-Mart is $11 US!!!  Brayer’s ice cream is $40 for a 1/2 gallon!  Needless to say, I will have to have Winna send us a care package for the Fixodent soon, 'cause we each only brought 3 tubes!   A ham was astronomical too...$140 Belize, making that $70 US!!!

November 29, 2012

So, a cool and breezy morning after a night of, as the Navajo would call it, female rain...it is 74° in the house and 60 something degrees outside on the veranda ... unfortunately I can't use the veranda this morning for sewing, 'cause Jay and Zane confiscated it for their woodworking of the shutters b/c of the dampness of everything in the side yard.

Yesterday we 'poled' in a boat over to Sticky's property when we hope to build our house.  We still haven’t decided if it will be a permanent move or a 'snowbird' one, but at any rate it is unlikely to happen this visit that it even gets started ... things here are definitely running on island/pagan time ... very slow and laid back ... which is a bit frustrating, as Zane and I would both like to see things move a bit faster. 

The area where Sticky has his land is more secluded from the village and is lovely … a great view of the whole lagoon, overlooking some nice houses on the other side, and he has planted many flowers already and has the proposed driveway laid out.  His house will set on the piers that he has already put there and ours will be forward and a bit over from there.  It is easy to envision the future plans for small cabanas and palapas for guests on this land without crowding those of us who are there.

I finished a grass basket made of the fever grass and other local grasses … it turned out well and I am happy with the results … J I have, however, run out, almost, of raffia and tried to order more, however they do not ship to Belize, so I guess I will try to order, have it sent to Heather and then she can repackage it and send it on to me stuffed into as small and light a package as possible, probably along with some Fixodent type stuff!

December 1, 2012

Another week and my baby girl has her big birthday! … hopefully we will be able to talk to her on her birthday … we went to Spanish Lookout (the Mennonite community in Cayo district) yesterday … we got the wood Zane and Jay needed to finish the doors and shutters to his home, a cell phone that will hopefully reach out of the village and a bike for Andrea.  When we were here last, we bought bikes for Kasey and Gabral but not for Andrea … now she has one too and her small one will be handed down to Myrtz Myrtz. 

Today is very sad … an 11 month old baby girl died from the village … they thought it was chicken pox that she had, but then her hands were swollen like an allergic reaction to something and she wouldn’t nurse, only cry and cry … they took her to another hospital in Belize and she passed this morning … the only child of young parents, mother only 18 …

It’s been a bit emotional here because of all of us in this small space … Myrtle and I are having difficulty … different ways of functioning … I think I am helping and she thinks she is offending me … we all sat down and talked things thru this morning and hopefully things will be better … there is a possibility of another place for temporary space … remains to be seen

Raining again today after a sunny morning … rained most of yesterday … ‘tis the rainy season here … yah, just was able to get a call thru on the new phone to Heather to tell her to use the debit card to get $ out for her birthday gift! … good reception and even on 1 bar she heard us well … still not sure how many minutes we got on the triple up day for the phone, guess we will see soon.

December 2, 2012

Sunday … Jay and Myrtz went to church … Zane took a motorcycle ride … I burned some of the burn pile (unfortunately they burn plastic and Styrofoam here as well as paper stuff because there is no place to take it … I will look into this more closely, b/c the fumes alone from the burning were very toxic

Then my sewing girls (several of them) came and we tried to go to the community center … it was chaos b/c of the disrespectful and disruptive boys who gathered and were in and out of Jay’s truck and the building … will need to find a better spot to hold the classes b/c the boys won’t stay away (teen boys and teen girls, what can I say) ….

Zane was quite pleased, he got in touch with his sister, Nancy and her cancer count is down more, which is very good! … I guess   he surprised her with his call, which is what he wanted to do.  He was also able to contact Mark to give Heather some info for us … so, the phone is definitely working well.  Zane was upset with me for telling y’all about his fine, but I told his that is what a blog is about … all things!

Yah! Got a hold of Winna tonight!  Beltane (my cat) is still giving her cat, Dante, a hard time … but at least she is out and about and not in hiding … Winn still hasn’t found a job, so, everyone, put good vibes out there for her to find something soon!  It was so good to talk to a friend!  I miss many of your that I interact with more frequently … Myrtle has her social group, but they talk their Creole so fast that I can’t understand half of what they say … the Americans in the village are all involved with bring the Christian word to the villagers so, we don’t really have much in common.  I don’t proselytize, so when they try to talk of Christianity to me or anti Obama, I kinda just excuse myself and leave … they use bribes to get the women to bible study and that seems very wrong to me … like, they draw numbers and the one that comes up gets a gift of their choice for being there … so, I will just be me by example I guess.

December 3, 2012

Another rainy day, but it doesn’t feel as confining as it does back east or even in NM … here there are veranda’s to be on to sew or carpenter or whatever and plus there is always a nice breeze … today I even had to put on a light shirt b/c the breeze was almost chilly. 

Naomi, the young woman who did my braids last time, Sticky’s daughter, came by to see me today … she would like to learn how to sew so she can make curtains for her home … she just got back in the village, b/c she was in Belize taking care of her mom … we had heard Sticky’s wife had lost her foot before we got down here, so that is where she was helping her mom.

Zane and Jay are kinda going stir crazy b/c of not being able to work outside, but this morning, early, they did go out and cut a whole load of bamboo from the bamboo forest to do the partitions in Myrtle and Jay’s house.   Loggie, a guy from the village came by and showed them how to cut the bamboo to flatten it for making the walls … pretty cool!

December 4, 2012

Another rainy day off and on … I did wash for Zane and myself today Gales Point style … will be happy when we get to a place where there is enough power to run the washer … I don’t mind hanging clothes, I do it in NM, but just feel that things aren’t getting as clean … also … need to find an old fashioned wringer … my and Myrtles hands just don’t do a good wringing! … plus, after hanging the rains came and soaked things even further … one thing I definitely appreciate more and more about NM … the dry air that dries clothes really fast! 

Zane and Jay were working with the bamboo again today and a guy, Alyice, came by and with his machete did fast work with the bamboo and with all three working got the whole pile done that they had here.  He just stepped in and banged it out!  Such is the nature of some of the adults here … others, just stroll by, look or stand and watch but don’t step in to help.

Was working with the kids with their homework tonight … will be taking that on from here on out … really will need to pick brains with my daughter when I get back … it seems they (the government) are threatening to close down the local school and ship the kids into Dangriga next year … if they do that, Myrtz and Jay want to home school, but by US standards, not Belize standards … Gabral has already been kept back b/c he is behind his grade level and Andrea and Kasey are not in great shape learning wise … the teachers have many students, have to clean the toilets and class rooms in the morning before school as well as prepare for teaching .. Recently they did away with corporal punishment by teachers to students and apparently kids who were used to being spanked and can’t be now, are acting out b/c they know that the teachers can’t do anything … most of the parents don’t back up the teachers so the kids are disruptive and difficult.  I also found out the high school, if of any quality, is not free.  Sherilan’s son, MJ (Myrtle’s sister and nephew) has to come up with 600 Belize$ per year for MJ to attend a parochial high school and he is a good student and motivated.  However Sherilan is having difficulty coming up with the money ... so, the kids can still attend, but the parents don’t get to see the report cards or talk to the teachers or have any way of knowing how their child is doing unless the pay … there is a public high school and trade schools, but their quality of education is sub par … several young men in the village were given full ride scholarships in the past, but quit b/c of the teacher … it is a sad commentary on the country of Belize that they aren’t concerned about their future generations!

Today was the funeral for the little baby here in the village… very sorrowful day … Myrtz and Jay went to the funeral … apparently Nigel lost a son before, which I wasn’t aware of, and of course, as some of you know, M&J almost lost Gabe while living in CO due to encephalitis and meningitis…so it was especially poignant for them to be there and to in an odd way, count their own blessings … kinda like there but for the grace of the Goddess/God go they.

Jay and Zane walked up to Gentles Breezy Spot tonight for their rehydration … the other day when we were all talking through the rough patch we were experiencing, myrtle mentioned that Pops (Zane) was not only Pops to Jay but also his best friend and that none of us wants that to be harmed … since then, Myrtz and I are more aware of our feelings and working on keeping them in hand

November 27, 2012

 

 

So, today Zane and Jason took a transport to Belize (City) and Myrtle and Sherylan went to Stann Creek on the bus ... I stayed home ... the kids were all in school ... I washed Zane's and my clothes Gales Point style and then weeded out the rotting grapefruits from the bag and put them on the compost ... Monnie stopped by with a new bag of oranges which Zane will pay for when they get back...another young man bought by a sour sap fruit which we will pay for later.  The sour sap fruit is what, when mixed with sweetened condensed milk make a sour sap "Ideal" ... this is Zane's and my favorite dessert here in Gales Point ... it is like a cross between ice cream and frozen yoghurt ... but, amazingly enough Zane likes it! ...

 

Now, everyone is back, the bugs are biting so I have stopped sewing on the veranda and came inside to write this ... all day, after the chores above, I worked on the BOM's (blocks of the Month) for the two quilts I am making.  I also worked on quite a few of the blocks for Jacobs quilt.  I am making him one that I (Mostly) pre-cut before I came  ... so it's going together quite fast. 

 

One if the new little girls Brieanna came by and wanted to know when she can sew again ... I told her I needed her and 4 other girls to form a new group of sewers.  She was excited about that.  I took her picture for the calendar for next year and got her birthday date and put it on the new calendar that is for this year.  As soon as I get internet, that is something I will start to put together ... a Gales Point Calendar for 2014.

 

Zane and Jay came back with tales ... Fixodent, which cost around 5$ in Wal-Mart is $11 US!!!  Brayer’s ice cream is $40 for a 1/2 gallon!  Needless to say, I will have to have Winna send us a care package for the Fixodent soon, 'cause we each only brought 3 tubes!   A ham was astronomical too...$140 Belize, making that $70 US!!!

 

 

November 29, 2012

 

So, a cool and breezy morning after a night of, as the Navajo would call it, female rain...it is 74° in the house and 60 something degrees outside on the veranda ... unfortunately I can't use the veranda this morning for sewing, 'cause Jay and Zane confiscated it for their woodworking of the shutters b/c of the dampness of everything in the side yard.

 

Yesterday we 'poled' in a boat over to Sticky's property when we hope to build our house.  We still haven’t decided if it will be a permanent move or a 'snowbird' one, but at any rate it is unlikely to happen this visit that it even gets started ... things here are definitely running on island/pagan time ... very slow and laid back ... which is a bit frustrating, as Zane and I would both like to see things move a bit faster. 

 

The area where Sticky has his land is more secluded from the village and is lovely … a great view of the whole lagoon, overlooking some nice houses on the other side, and he has planted many flowers already and has the proposed driveway laid out.  His house will set on the piers that he has already put there and ours will be forward and a bit over from there.  It is easy to envision the future plans for small cabanas and palapas for guests on this land without crowding those of us who are there.

 

I finished a grass basket made of the fever grass and other local grasses … it turned out well and I am happy with the results … J I have, however, run out, almost, of raffia and tried to order more, however they do not ship to Belize, so I guess I will try to order, have it sent to Heather and then she can repackage it and send it on to me stuffed into as small and light a package as possible, probably along with some Fixodent type stuff!

 

December 1, 2012

 

Another week and my baby girl has her big birthday! … hopefully we will be able to talk to her on her birthday … we went to Spanish Lookout (the Mennonite community in Cayo district) yesterday … we got the wood Zane and Jay needed to finish the doors and shutters to his home, a cell phone that will hopefully reach out of the village and a bike for Andrea.  When we were here last, we bought bikes for Kasey and Gabral but not for Andrea … now she has one too and her small one will be handed down to Myrtz Myrtz. 

 

Today is very sad … an 11 month old baby girl died from the village … they thought it was chicken pox that she had, but then her hands were swollen like an allergic reaction to something and she wouldn’t nurse, only cry and cry … they took her to another hospital in Belize and she passed this morning … the only child of young parents, mother only 18 …

 

It’s been a bit emotional here because of all of us in this small space … Myrtle and I are having difficulty … different ways of functioning … I think I am helping and she thinks she is offending me … we all sat down and talked things thru this morning and hopefully things will be better … there is a possibility of another place for temporary space … remains to be seen

Raining again today after a sunny morning … rained most of yesterday … ‘tis the rainy season here … yah, just was able to get a call thru on the new phone to Heather to tell her to use the debit card to get $ out for her birthday gift! … good reception and even on 1 bar she heard us well … still not sure how many minutes we got on the triple up day for the phone, guess we will see soon.

 

December 2, 2012

 

Sunday … Jay and Myrtz went to church … Zane took a motorcycle ride … I burned some of the burn pile (unfortunately they burn plastic and Styrofoam here as well as paper stuff because there is no place to take it … I will look into this more closely, b/c the fumes alone from the burning were very toxic

 

Then my sewing girls (several of them) came and we tried to go to the community center … it was chaos b/c of the disrespectful and disruptive boys who gathered and were in and out of Jay’s truck and the building … will need to find a better spot to hold the classes b/c the boys won’t stay away (teen boys and teen girls, what can I say) ….

 

Zane was quite pleased, he got in touch with his sister, Nancy and her cancer count is down more, which is very good! … I guess   he surprised her with his call, which is what he wanted to do.  He was also able to contact Mark to give Heather some info for us … so, the phone is definitely working well.  Zane was upset with me for telling y’all about his fine, but I told his that is what a blog is about … all things!

 

Yah! Got a hold of Winna tonight!  Beltane (my cat) is still giving her cat, Dante, a hard time … but at least she is out and about and not in hiding … Winn still hasn’t found a job, so, everyone, put good vibes out there for her to find something soon!  It was so good to talk to a friend!  I miss many of your that I interact with more frequently … Myrtle has her social group, but they talk their Creole so fast that I can’t understand half of what they say … the Americans in the village are all involved with bring the Christian word to the villagers so, we don’t really have much in common.  I don’t proselytize, so when they try to talk of Christianity to me or anti Obama, I kinda just excuse myself and leave … they use bribes to get the women to bible study and that seems very wrong to me … like, they draw numbers and the one that comes up gets a gift of their choice for being there … so, I will just be me by example I guess.

 

 

December 3, 2012

 

Another rainy day, but it doesn’t feel as confining as it does back east or even in NM … here there are veranda’s to be on to sew or carpenter or whatever and plus there is always a nice breeze … today I even had to put on a light shirt b/c the breeze was almost chilly. 

 

Naomi, the young woman who did my braids last time, Sticky’s daughter, came by to see me today … she would like to learn how to sew so she can make curtains for her home … she just got back in the village, b/c she was in Belize taking care of her mom … we had heard Sticky’s wife had lost her foot before we got down here, so that is where she was helping her mom.

 

Zane and Jay are kinda going stir crazy b/c of not being able to work outside, but this morning, early, they did go out and cut a whole load of bamboo from the bamboo forest to do the partitions in Myrtle and Jay’s house.   Loggie, a guy from the village came by and showed them how to cut the bamboo to flatten it for making the walls … pretty cool!

 

December 4, 2012

 

Another rainy day off and on … I did wash for Zane and myself today Gales Point style … will be happy when we get to a place where there is enough power to run the washer … I don’t mind hanging clothes, I do it in NM, but just feel that things aren’t getting as clean … also … need to find an old fashioned wringer … my and Myrtles hands just don’t do a good wringing! … plus, after hanging the rains came and soaked things even further … one thing I definitely appreciate more and more about NM … the dry air that dries clothes really fast! 

 

Zane and Jay were working with the bamboo again today and a guy, Alyice, came by and with his machete did fast work with the bamboo and with all three working got the whole pile done that they had here.  He just stepped in and banged it out!  Such is the nature of some of the adults here … others, just stroll by, look or stand and watch but don’t step in to help.

 

Was working with the kids with their homework tonight … will be taking that on from here on out … really will need to pick brains with my daughter when I get back … it seems they (the government) are threatening to close down the local school and ship the kids into Dangriga next year … if they do that, Myrtz and Jay want to home school, but by US standards, not Belize standards … Gabral has already been kept back b/c he is behind his grade level and Andrea and Kasey are not in great shape learning wise … the teachers have many students, have to clean the toilets and class rooms in the morning before school as well as prepare for teaching .. Recently they did away with corporal punishment by teachers to students and apparently kids who were used to being spanked and can’t be now, are acting out b/c they know that the teachers can’t do anything … most of the parents don’t back up the teachers so the kids are disruptive and difficult.  I also found out the high school, if of any quality, is not free.  Sherilan’s son, MJ (Myrtle’s sister and nephew) has to come up with 600 Belize$ per year for MJ to attend a parochial high school and he is a good student and motivated.  However Sherilan is having difficulty coming up with the money ... so, the kids can still attend, but the parents don’t get to see the report cards or talk to the teachers or have any way of knowing how their child is doing unless the pay … there is a public high school and trade schools, but their quality of education is sub par … several young men in the village were given full ride scholarships in the past, but quit b/c of the teacher … it is a sad commentary on the country of Belize that they aren’t concerned about their future generations!

 

Today was the funeral for the little baby here in the village… very sorrowful day … Myrtz and Jay went to the funeral … apparently Nigel lost a son before, which I wasn’t aware of, and of course, as some of you know, M&J almost lost Gabe while living in CO due to encephalitis and meningitis…so it was especially poignant for them to be there and to in an odd way, count their own blessings … kinda like there but for the grace of the Goddess/God go they.

 

Jay and Zane walked up to Gentles Breezy Spot tonight for their rehydration … the other day when we were all talking through the rough patch we were experiencing, myrtle mentioned that Pops (Zane) was not only Pops to Jay but also his best friend and that none of us wants that to be harmed … since then, Myrtz and I are more aware of our feelings and working on keeping them in hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/8/12

Our Baby Girl’s big 40!!!  We will call her this afternoon when Zane gets back from Democracia … he and Jay took a guy in to sell his fish and to get some posts … yesterday Zane and Jay rode the motorcycles to Cayo, went up to San Ignacio and up the hill above there too … Zane bought us a temporary house (small) so as soon as possible we can be on our own for the evenings and Jay and Myrtz can have some space too … it will be delivered on Wed and set up … then Jay and Zane need to install a toilet, a sink and a shower … eventually build a veranda … then we can move over there … it will be placed next to where J&M’s new house is and they will be in there soon too.  I will put some pictures in the blog when I get internet …

 

Had my sewing girls over today … kinda chaotic, but they are getting the hang of it and doing okay … one girl, Shaniqua finished her first project already and is helping the others too.  They were due to be here @ 10:30 … island time, didn’t show up till 11:15 … told them all, if they make an appointment with me they need to keep it … otherwise they will have to wait till then next time.  Several of them had to go fishing … that is an acceptable excuse here in the village, b/c to catch fish is to help feed your family … so, good thing.

 

Finally Zane got home and we were able to talk to Heather … she expressed that she missed talking to us as long as she usually does and we do too … each week she calls and we usually talk for over an hour … can’t do that as long from here … tried to call Sam the other day and she wasn’t home, so have missed talking to her…Jesse is more difficult to reach, since we never know when to contact him … so, hopefully he can call sometime.  For those of you who might have international calling on your phone service … our # is 011-501-667-4312 … Central America calling cards are the way to go if you don’t have international calling.  … Hopefully we can Skype with some of y’all soon too.

 

12/11/12

Sitting here enjoying a grape ‘ideal’ and trying to stay cool … ‘twas one of the stickiest days of the trip so far … wanted to rain, but didn’t reminiscent of PA in August … close and hot … like a steam bath in some parts of the house …

 

Zane was up before dawn and working on the septic system hole … in 85° heat and high humidity … he’s not used to the humidity and today there was little breeze to be had … house arriving tomorrow, so he is very hyped and felt the need to push himself to get things done … Myrtle keeps saying he needs to change to be more relaxed and laid back … she says this culture doesn’t move as he does … that it like asking a leopard to change it’s spots to stripes! … Zane adapts to the cultural things just fine, one can’t expect him to change his basic nature.

 

I worked on clothing repair today, making the bamboo napkin rings for part of J&M’s Christmas gift and finished a small covered basket from the fever/lemon grass … doesn’t smell quite as nice as the sweet grass ones, but still nice and lemony.

I need to make several runs into Dangriga in the next two days … one for cinder blocks for the guys to finish the septic system and on Thursday to sign up at the immigration office for our next month … $50 BZ each month till we leave to be here.  I will most likely take the motorcycle on Thursday is we get all the blocks tomorrow …

 

I too am looking forward to being in a separate house, but not quite as much as Zane is … he feels irritated by all the yelling and noise from all the children in this area … it will be quieter over there we think.

 

John the missionary says that our cable is in and he just needs to get in from Belize City the next time he is in there, which may be as soon as tomorrow or the next day…yah!!! Internet soon!

 

12/12/12

 

Wow!  12/12/12 … some kind of luck day I think … well, the house was delivered today … got here around 12:30 and, now, at 5:11 they are still working on getting it in place.  What an ordeal! … the crazy maneuvering … I will post pictures soon … Myrtz was, rightfully, upset b/c some of her plants weren’t moved, just run over … Zane and Jay are working big time to get it all together along with the Guatemalan guys who delivered it … Myrtle cooked fish  balls, beans and rice and slaw for the guys…  boy, they say it takes a village to raise a child, well in this case, it took a village to set up a house!  … Seriously, between the gawkers and the helpers there had to be at least 7-10 guys at any given time.  When the truck or trailer got stuck, it was good to have that many to help with the unsticking!

 

Well, Zane and Jay are camping out in the new house tonight … boys night.

 

12/15/12

 

Yah, today is our friend Lisa’s birthday … unfortunately, we couldn’t get a hold of her … L … she is definitely one who tries to forget her birthday (not me!) so, probably just not answering.

Did get to talk to Nancy (Zane’s sister) and her husband Gus and also to our daughter, Sam … that was really nice … ‘twas the first time I talked to Nancy and hadn’t gotten through to Sam before either, so it was nice to hear both their voices!

 

Jason is in Belize today on a transport, I was supposed to go, but it was last minute and so he didn’t ask … he is with a guy selling fish.  We got notice that there is a package in the mail in Belize, so perhaps that is my day planner … I hope so.

 

Zane got the house varnished with marine spar varnish and it looks really nice … he also got screens and stairs on it, so, when the septic is done and a toilet installed, I can then sleep over there with Zane … right now he is spending every night there b/c it is so much cooler and now bug free.  I can’t wait to get on line from here so I can post some pictures of everything.  If the place where John, the missionary, get his deliveries was open today, then we will have cable when he and Mel get back from Belize city … if not, then will have to wait longer.  Hope to get hooked up by Yule/Christmas so we can try to Skype!

 

12/16/12

 

Today I worked on the “Miss America type” sashes for 8 girls who are in the Christmas pageant next week … finished them, but want to add some artificial leaves, which I need to get in Stann Creek sometime this week. 

 

Zane has been away from the house all day, getting power to the new house, I think, and adding another door and a bigger window … he and Jay came home for the afternoon meal and he was just a bit cranky, but apologized later for snapping at me.  He is so much mellower down here that it was a surprise when he grumbled. 

 

I also was working on a quilted picture for one of our friends here and plan to make another for the missionaries, John and Mel, as thanks and merry Christmas for letting me use their internet connection these many times. 

Last night we watched “Life of Pi”, a movie in our new house, on the laptop … the movie was okay, but a bad copy.  Apparently down here the $3.00 movies are copied in a theatre and so, frequently you have people leaving and coming to their seats, and the audience coughing, talking and laughing … this is the worst I have ever seen that.  It was nice to have a date night though.  With Zane sleeping in the new place, I kinda miss him beside me, even in a crowded double bed.  The new bed mattress is queen and a bit roomier as I found out last night, lying on it to watch the movie.  I do seriously miss my king size bed though … room to sprawl!

 

12/17/12

 

One month from today is my birthday!  Yah, then I can open the gift from Sam and Family that I brought along.  Heather, Mark and the girls gave me part of my ipod for Christmas and part for my birthday … so, it will be nice to have something to open that day!

 

Still don’t know if John got the cable … haven’t seen him since before he left for Belize City …

 

Myrtle, Jay and Zane went to Stann Creek today and I stayed back with the kids … for the most part they were good … usual small incidents, etc, but overall well behaved.  Worked most of the day after chores, on sewing for Xmas gift to Sticky and his family … have one more to do for John and Mel …

 

Right outside, at the crossroads by the house we are staying in now there is a Samba occurring … kinda like a cool Caribbean drum circle … the young people of the village organized it … it is supposed to happen every night from December 1 - Christmas … it is a traditional dance of fertility that occurs here in the village…last time we were/ here there was one in our honor.  Sticky played the drums for that one

 

12/18/12

So, today after fixing some things for Myrtle to wear to her women’s party, I worked a little while on the gift for John and Mel … then I noticed Jason getting dressed and found out he needed to pick up Sherilan (myrtle’s sister) at Democracia … I suggested that if he wanted to keep working, that I could go out … and so I did.  On the way we saw a huge quash (cotamundie) black with white markings crossing the road … also I saw a yellow backed or a yellow tailed oriole … earlier this morning, I saw a Baltimore oriole … what a treat to see and hear them!

 

Friday Jason, Zane and I are going to a ruin/Mayan pyramid for solstice!  Will tell you all about that later

 

12/19/12

 

So, spent most of the day working on sewing and tending the kids a bit for Myrtle … Jason and Zane were working on shelving in the new house and Zane was getting a bit snappy b/c Jay was pulled away to fix a water line that he had broken yesterday by running over it … Myrtz made breakfast burritos this AM …yum!

 

Finished the quilt picture for John and Mel today … making the label then it will be complete … tomorrow John should be bringing the cable for the internet!!!

 

Went over to the new house to see the shelving … it is wonderful!  The desk/sewing table is right in front of a window overlooking the lagoon … nice place to have coffee and write my blog, sew, and whatever … they made it countertop high and will built me a couple of bar stools to sit up there … Zane is really disturbed by all the yelling and the noise of the kids … a grandpa curmudgeon … can only take the loads of kids in small doses … if we could get out where we hope to build our permanent house, it will be much quieter there … less kids and chaos.

 

December 20, 2012

 

Almost Blesséd Solstice! … Happy Yule! Hard to believe it is almost here!  Am thinking of you coven mates and sending along the best wishes for the Yuletide … am overrun with zealous Christians here … I don’t have an issue with Christians per se (some of my favorite belovéd people are Christian as I was once), just the ones who keep not so subtly pushing their agenda … I know that many think I and my spiritual path is anti Christian … just the opposite … it is the essence of what this season was based upon … the going within, the emergence of rebirth of the new sun, the changing of the seasons with the bright future to come … many believe that Jesus is the “reason for the season”, but in reality, if one looks unprejudicely at history, one will see that the season is the winter solstice, a season of rebirth for the pagans of old, and the early Christians in 320 AD chose to name it as the birth of Christ in order to lure the pagans from their old ways and to the priest’s new ‘religion’ … historically Christ was actually born sometime in April probably.

 

I don’t mean to ‘paint’ the village as all having zealot Christians … some are very open, very spiritual and very accepting of Zane’s and my differences … actually the most zealous is the one missionary from TX who has a very bad vibe and gives me the creeps …’course it doesn’t help that I know him to be ex-military is the not so best way, and to be anti-Obama and pro-Bush … so, perhaps my prejudices are showing too, however I have learned to trust my intuition about people and it doesn’t feel right.  He supposedly stated to Jay that the pentagram was a sign of the Devil, which Jason let him know that was not so, but that goes to show how a little negative information can lead to misconception that leads to misunderstanding which finally leads to ostracism!  Now, his wife and kids, on the other hand, feel open and nice … so, go figure … maybe he’s just a misogynist that expects women to ‘know’ their place!

 

Zane and Jason are working on installing the toilet in the house and Jay thinks they will have that done by the end of the day … next an actual bed and I can stay there with GZ!  Yah.

 

12/22/12

Spent second night in the new house … very chilly, due to rain that got much wet b/c we had left the windows opened and it rained in b/c couldn’t get there in time.

 

Spent Solstice trying to fine a Mayan temple … it wasn’t excavated yet, but we did see the entrance to the Cave of the Crystal Maiden that was featured on Andrew Zimmer’s show that featured Belize, including Gales Point.  Am trying to set things up around here and going to bring things over from the other house.  Hope that Zane and Jason go and get me a tree today … I did set up my Santa ornaments yesterday just to get a festive idea around here.