Texas in the summer

So, here I am again, still in TX and having a wonderful time with the girls and new boy.  Trying to help out Momma and Daddy (Heather and Mark) when and where I can.  I am uploading some picures for you enjoyment...

Its hot humid and dry here in TX ... Zane is battling the heat too, with no rain and irregular ditch access, so he is frustrated.  "Course he's missing me too, but I am happy here, but missing him too.

Samantha and Fam are due in here on the 10th for about a week ... they are staying at a motel ... will be good to see the boys, since it has been 6 years since we/I did ...

worried still about Zane ... his breathing issues are still plaguing him and he won't go see about them,

I have yet another boil ... left arm pit this time ... saw Dr and got antibiotics ... also broke my upper denture again ... AGH!!

 In Momma's arms in the hospital on his "birthday"

 Left to right - Vivianna, Makena, Mark and Mark Anthony, Jr (AJ)

 Sisters loving and getting used to him

 Beautiful Momma, Heather

 Tired Daddy, Mark

 Makena and cousin Alanna @ pool

 Time out at the pool

 Bathing beauties

 Ipad savvy Vivianna and Momma and AJ resting

 More Ipad time

 AJ and Makena

 Momma and AJ on first walk in the park

 Holding AJ

 Texas Beauty

Grammy's girls and the BOY!

Well, gonna go for now ... love to all and Peace.  Out!

So, yesterday on June 19th Mark Anthony Canales, Jr. (Known as AJ) was born into our family .  He is a beautiful baby boy who was 8 lbs 11 oz. , 21 inches long born @ 9:34 AM after a very quick labor.  When I get the hang of Heather's IPad, I will try to post some pictures.  All are fine and the girls already love their new brother.

So, this is just a quick entry till I have more to tell
Later. Peace. Out!

So, in Colorado today ... came up yesterday to go to the Dentist today.  We rode (and according to Zane, wasted over an hour)along with the Ride the Rockies bike race from Alamosa all the way over to Poncha Springs (over Poncha Pass first).  the only issue were bikers passing one another on the hwy from Alamosa to the bottom of the pass ... it's on a 50 mile straight stretch that is only 2 lanes, with very little berm for the bikers to ride, so if they pass one another, they had to come into the car lane ... the speed on the road was 65, so it made for some crazy slow downs if traffic was coming the other way!

Today we went up to Boulder, shopped around on the Pearl Street Mall and then went up to Nederland.  There is a large forest fire going in the area around Colorado Springs, but there was lots of smoke all over the state ... even up in the high country around Ned.  We then drove down the canyon called Coal Creek Canyon ... very hairpin turney, etc.

Will finish up with the dentist tomorrow and head home.  Getting new glasses lens on Monday, so I will get them and then take off for TX for the birth of our latest grandbaby!

Saw a friend @ El Loro (cool gift shop on the pearl street mall) ... it was nice to see her ... we are FB friends and talky friends whenever I am up in Boulder ... anyway, nice to see her

check in here from time to time in the near future for further pictures from TX!

for now ... Peace.  Out!

wow! ... nine days back in my NM home with my honey ... I still miss the tropical weather, but it is nice to be able to hug Zane whenever I want ... I missed that.  Came back to 47 night time temp on the day I flew in and 39 degrees in the morning ... no more tank tops and bare feet for a bit. 

Its still cool here in the early mornings, but the days are more Belize like ... mid 80's but no humidity to speak of...that part is nice.  Lots of nose bleeds since I've been back, due to the dryness.

Zane is busy planting the summer garden and I am re-acclimating ... cleaning up the house and purging myself of "stuff" ... living in such a small space in Belize made me much more conscious of all the "stuff" I have accumulated over the years and my need to reduce that clutter in my life ... it is a challenge, however ... since I like "my stuff" ... well, slowly but surely it will happen.  It's hard, being raised by "Depression" parents in a non throwaway society, it is difficult to purge myself of things I "might need" or "could use" ... paring down to essentials.  Wow, what a Herculean task.

I need to go to town today to buy a new dvd player as our house sitter apparently too the cord that connected our current one and doesn't know where it might be ... I also need to get batting for Jacob's quilt to get that to the quilter ... anyway, live goes on.

That's about it for now
From NM ... Peace.  Out.

oops, never mind ... change of plans ... today is my last day in the village ... transport issues with Jay's truck, so we have to get another vehicle (borrow from Shannon, Nigel's brother by a different Mother) ... so, tomorrow AM @ 4:00 we will leave for Belize City.

Yesterday, Nigel, Myrtle, Jason and I went by boat out to the sea ... very cool, video taped it, but havn't had much luck downloading videos here, so won't try ... we saw a nose of a Manatee on our way back, but it never surfaced.  :-(  ... we beach combed and fished out there ... I videoed some ocean sounds to listen and watch whenever I miss the sea.  I caught a 20 inch Boney fish, which is in the top 5 of sport fishing catches!  It hit hard and was a challenge to land, but I did.  Myrtle caught a smaller version of that and Jason and Nigel got a bunch of Jack which are my favorite kind of fish from down here ... Myrtle cooked me one last night ... YUM!

Yesterday AM, Jay and I had coffee and listened to Jesse's live radio show ... mumbo king 'amenia'  very moving one's ass time!  So proud of Jes and hearing him streaming on live radio, knowing it was one of his goals in life, is very cool.

Not sure what is on the adgenda for today, but will take that as it comes

for now ... Peace.  Out.

Well, today is my last full day here in the village.  Tomorrow we are heading to Belize to stay overnight @ Shef and Sheryl's and then on to the airport on Thursday AM  ... winging home to Zane, NM and the coven.  It's been a wonderful 6 months here in Belize ... spending quantity and quality time with J&M and the grand kids.  Can't say though at this point that I am sorry to leave ... I will miss home #2 and will come back many times (especially during the cold season in NM) ... however, I am ready to be back in the arms of my honey ...

I am supposed to go out to the sea by boat with Nigel, we will see if that happens ... Myrtle is busy preparing the cashews to take home to Zane as a surprise and some sour sap ideal as well ...

This AM we got to listen to Jesse's radio show again ... lots of mumbo by Prez Prado, which was excellent listening and did make me "move my ass". Can't spell the Spanish -( mwavealas)  well, as I said before, I will continue to blog from NM and again when I return to Belize ... till next time

Peace.  Out.

MAMEY SAPOTE (Pouteria sapota) This is the largest (the mother) of all the sapotacea family of fruits, all of which originated in Central America. A mature tree loaded with Mamey Sapotes is a sight to see. The pink/red flesh of this fruit is soft and fibreless like an avocado, earning it the nick- name of the Orange Avocado. . The taste resembles something like sweet potato flavoured with dates. Or an American- style pumpkin pie dessert. In the few places where the fruit can be procured in the United States, the Mamey Sapote milkshake is a rage. It may also be added to green salads like avocado. The nutritional table of the Mamey Sapote is very similar to the table for the Canistel. It too is high in energy, calcium, phosphorous and niacin. It is also much higher in protein than most fruit. It contains an appreciable amount of vitamin C (29 mg per 100 grams). The oil from Mamey Sapote seeds is used among many Central American natives as a hair tonic. Tests have proven that it is effective against dermatitis of the scalp. A decoction of the bitter bark of the tree is administered in Costa Rica for hypertension.MAMEY SAPOTE (Pouteria sapota) This is the largest (the mother) of all the sapotacea family of fruits, all of which originated in Central America. A mature tree loaded with Mamey Sapotes is a sight to see. The pink/red flesh of this fruit is soft and fibreless like an avocado, earning it the nick- name of the Orange Avocado. . The taste resembles something like sweet potato flavoured with dates. Or an American- style pumpkin pie dessert. In the few places where the fruit can be procured in the United States, the Mamey Sapote milkshake is a rage. It may also be added to green salads like avocado. The nutritional table of the Mamey Sapote is very similar to the table for the Canistel. It too is high in energy, calcium, phosphorous and niacin. It is also much higher in protein than most fruit. It contains an appreciable amount of vitamin C (29 mg per 100 grams). The oil from Mamey Sapote seeds is used among many Central American natives as a hair tonic. Tests have proven that it is effective against dermatitis of the scalp. A decoction of the bitter bark of the tree is administered in Costa Rica for hypertension.

Very sad news for our family and village ... last night our friend and sister, Milly, passed into the Summerland having succumbed from breast cancer that went systemic.  Just yesterday, her son Stephen, was fishing with us and last night he called her in Belize and talked to her briefly ... at 21, he has been avoiding the fact of her severe status and put off going to see her in Belize ... at least he talked to her that last time.  She passed around three AM ... Her mother, Miss Esteline was with her as were other sons.  I will miss her wake and funeral by several days as they will wait for relatives from the States to get here.  I am now doubly glad I was able to transport her to Belize, thus seeing her and talking with her one last time ... I felt then that she was leaving the Village for good and now it appears I was correct. 

Yesterday the two kids, Jason, Nigel, Stephen, Poppy and I went out in the boat fishing ... each of us caught at least one fish ... they were the first fish 'Drea and Gabe ever caught and they were excited ... I caught a "look Down", several yellow snappers and a jack ... below are pictures from the excursion.

Today I had another Momme  fruit ... very nice  ... below is info on this ... Myrtle is going to attempt a guacamole type dish ...

MAMEY SAPOTE (Pouteria sapota)

This is the largest (the mother) of all the sapotacea family of fruits, all of which originated in Central America. A mature tree loaded with Mamey Sapotes is a sight to see. The pink/red flesh of this fruit is soft and fibreless like an avocado, earning it the nick- name of the Orange Avocado.

.

The taste resembles something like sweet potato flavoured with dates. Or an American- style pumpkin pie dessert. In the few places where the fruit can be procured in the United States, the Mamey Sapote milkshake is a rage. It may also be added to green salads like avocado.

The nutritional table of the Mamey Sapote is very similar to the table for the Canistel. It too is high in energy, calcium, phosphorous and niacin. It is also much higher in protein than most fruit. It contains an appreciable amount of vitamin C (29 mg per 100 grams).

The oil from Mamey Sapote seeds is used among many Central American natives as a hair tonic. Tests have proven that it is effective against dermatitis of the scalp. A decoction of the bitter bark of the tree is administered in Costa Rica for hypertension.

 their first fishing trip

 Tinsey, new boat dog!

 George Washingtonesque, crossing the (Delaware) Lagoon

 Stephen teaching Garbal to steer the boat

 My first snapper

 "Look Down"

 Better view of Look Down

 Drea's first catch!

 Stephen's Mackral

 Gabral's Look Down

 Chilly, tired and heading home

 On Golden Lagoon

 Nigel's Jack

 Poppy's Jack

 Most of the catch

 Rest of the catch

 Tired boat puppy

 Jason and his new 'daughter"

 Son and Dad

 Sherylan back from Women's retreat on Caye Caucker and me

 Drea, future Model

 Silly Gabe, couldn't scratch his nose!

 Nigel with part of the catch

Millie, from Christmas, may she rest in peace

Peace.  Out.

So, after weeks of dry, sunny weather, albeit sometimes hot and sticky, we got a prelude to the rainy season last night.  A storm passed through and within the 1/2 hour it lasted, blew, drove rain and roared with gusto.  Damage is really minor with a strong indicator to Jay and Myrtle what all still needs to be done before the hurricane season does arrive in June. 

What this last week has done for me is give me an awakening as to why Belize is an iffy chose for me and perhaps am glad Zane has decided we're not to live here permanently ... first is was the huge lumpy boil that formed under the back side of my left arm and I had to go to the ER to have it lanced, got antibiotics and painkillers.  Then on Wednesday night, it was the invasion of the (body snatchers) bugs in our house! ... (I later found out it was because of the weather pattern changing) ... termites flying everywhere within the house, huge cockroaches, an enormous green katydid,  ... they were dropping from the walls and ceiling like they were kamikaze's and even the spray wasn't knocking them down for a bit.  EEW!!!  Then last night, before the storm, a neat thing ... phytoplankton were in the water (what the shrimp feed on) and Jay and Myrtle's hand 'glowed' underwater with phosphorescence!

Anyway, this is all really redundant, as in 5 days I am leaving the village, staying in Belize City with Sheryl and Sheff over night and flying out on the morning of the 9th.  I think is will probably good to be home after all ... there are few bugs in NM due to the dryness of our climate.  I am not really a squeemish person but, that many bugs at one time was just overwhelming and taught me a lesson I needed to know ... that paradise is really where you are in your state of mind, not your physical location ... I will find paradise in NM and then in TX and there in CO ... so my state of mind will keep me in Paradise whereever I am.  I do plan to continue my blog, so you who are following, just be aware that it will take a different bent, a less tropical and a more desert bent, but still Zane and me on our adventures and mishaps of life...love and light to you all

Peace.  Out.

Today Jose Pam, may he rest in peace was buried in his home town near Punta Gorda.  We were unable to make it there due to car trouble. This was PC or, Police Constable that I reported about who took his life.
I went to the ER today to have a boil lanced that developed from two bug bites on Wednesday ... it had become as big as my fist by today and red, and hot, and hard.   hard ride on the motorcycle riding behind J...these bikes are really not made for long distance travel.
Road very bad in dry season, dusty, sandy treacherous, but glad I went to get relief ... slept from 8:30-midnight then awake till 3:30 and up at 5:30 due to pain.

will attempt to upload two videos here ... the one of little Nigel our Godson and one of the new pup Tinsy and Queenie the quash (aka cotimundi) playing...nope, won't upload! ;-(

yeah, uploading on another entry, look for it soon
Peace.
Out.

horrible news today ... last night, just after Jay and I got back from Belmopan, we heard gun shots ... come to find out, the PC (police chief), a young man, 28 years old with a young wife and 18th month old son, shot and killed (eventually) himself right in the other room from where his wife was bathing his son.  We are left with helping her to pack her home, since it is government owned and she must now leave, working around the bloody mess that was left behind.  Apparently he was stressed a great deal by bosses who were unsympathetic to his having no transportation and yet expecting him to come to Dangriga almost weekly to 'walk a beat' there too.  also, some villagers were majorly disrespectful to him again  just yesterday ... he was a Catchi (sp?) Indian who, drank in excess and was also intoxicated yesterday as well as perhaps on some sort of drug that he had needle marks from when the paramedics found him...historically Indian decent peoples have a gene that affects their ability to drink alcohol.

Sorry for only sad entry
Peace. Out.

Hey all!  well, my stay here is, sadly, winding down ... in 18 days I will be out of this tropical paradise and back in the States ... missing Zane, so it will be good in that way, but will truly miss my friends and family here in Belize.  Still so many things we want to do and now running out of time.
I am including some cool pictures and a video of Zane's and my Godson trying to crawl (baby Nigel) ... I will label them all ...   well, bummer the video won't up load, I will try later
Peace.  Out.

Andrea flying her Power Pop Girls kite

 kiteing

 Dee Dee checking it out

angel fish as part of Ken and Nigel's catch

 Jew Fish

Check out those teeth!

 Tinsey's first day with a new Family

 In a Cacoon

Very smart little girl

 new azuel Intensio veranda

 Pretty village cousins

 Sweetness!

 Confab

 skimming for 'swims'

 'swims' are shrimp and the locals use them for bait and/or to eat

 keep them in a bottle so they don't jump out

 'Pouchy'

 Yelling @ Queenie who is invading her space