Hey y'all! ... so, first a shout out to first time Grandma, Winna ... congrats! Love those pix of little Gen.
Well, re-name crash test Gramma 'stead of Gramma Janie ... I put 'er down AGAIN yesterday on the way back from Stann Creek ... my backpack was too heavy and I over compensated for it going one way and I leaned the other, while going through 4-5" sand and just put 'er down. Not hurt, except my confidence ... also, I was on a curve an a big orange tractor trailer was barreling down on me ... saw me in time and stopped, even helped me, but ... whew! kinda scary. just, only, a bit achy this AM
anyway, lesson learned about weight of backpack from now on.
Tried to listen to Jesse and his new show this AM @ 5:00 ... wasn't on ... found out later if I'd hung with the pretentious accented full of herself woman for a 1/2 hour, Jes started @ 5:30 (our time) ... so, caught the pod cast later in the AM but wanted to hear on real time ... oh, well, next week.
Nigel (Myrtle's oldest son) asked Zane and me to be god parents for his 'little Nigel' ... we, of course said yes ... it seems here in Belize there is less emphasis on Christianity and more on the spiritual and moral character of the God Parents ... which is cool, because I feel we are both that!
Well, gonna run for now and sew some pants for Myrtle and other things
Peace. Out!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
So, 'sbin a few days since I wrote and much has happened in the interim. At the end here I will post some new pictures about the progress.
Biggest thing happening was yesterday ... It was Makena's birthday!!! I was able to connect with her for a short while on Skype last evening and it was wonderful again to see her and help in some small way to celebrate that great event. She looks so much like Heather in her younger days ... Heather can't see it, but looking from this end, it was so apparent to me.
Jason has been pulled to many projects that need to be done ... like, just today, he needs to repair a broken water pipe before we can have water again in our houses. Agh!!! it is always something to take him away from his needed tasks. He has been working on getting the structure for Myrtle's outside kitchen and dish washing area complete and under roof. It is amazing and wonderful to see how he makes use (or reuse) of materials from old buildings, the jungle, the trash heaps, etc to make something useful and serviceable for his family and sets a wonderful example for the village. So often villagers feel like they can't make, do or build something because they don't have the means to buy lumber, etc. Well, the things around here that J&M have built, or reused attest to that erroneous thinking ... Just Myrtles container gardens alone attest to the wonderful shabby~chic use of beach combing reusable thing ... my favorite is the broken end of a kayak that she has hanging plants in!
Yesterday, we went to the junction, got some red sand to fill the floors in for the kitchen, which he built up with rubble and refuse from old cement blocks, wall plaster pieces, etc. We then went on to collect many long pieces of wild cane to fill in the spaces between the pimento logs lining our shower. Lastly, we went in search of long hard wood sticks to serve as pieces for the hanging chairs that I have made and have waiting only for the wood to put them together. In this, we were able to find some trees that had been downed to clear out around the area where the pump house is by the river where they get their water. Now the task will be to cut them to length, finish off the bark and sand them before we drill holes and put the chairs together ... I am kinda of excited to do that part especially.
The Kids go back to school today after a long two week break for Easter and spring. It will be good for them to again have a routine ... and quieter for us adults. The last two nights, JM&G plus DeeDee slept on the roof of the house in a tent.
We are still have refrigerator issues ... the side by side that J&M have for the restaurant has stopped (again) circulating the cool air and Myrtle lost much of her veggies for the restaurant. We still don't have a viable fridge for Yamaya's Place (our house) ; the one being used here works, but has to be defrosted about every 5 days ... not too much of a pain, but one none the less. I think the guy they get the appliances from is a rip off artist, but J seems to trust. Any one who would like to sent help regarding a new fridge would be wonderful ... just make sure that it is specifically sent for that purpose or the fundage might get used where ever else it is needs.
Well, just found out that we need to have me make a motorcycle run into Dangriga for pvc parts and some much needed few groceries ... wish me luck, s'bin the first time since I fell the last bike ride ... need to 'get back on the horse' so to speak ... well, gonna post pics here and then get going... also will be pics of the first night and morning in the new house!
Biggest thing happening was yesterday ... It was Makena's birthday!!! I was able to connect with her for a short while on Skype last evening and it was wonderful again to see her and help in some small way to celebrate that great event. She looks so much like Heather in her younger days ... Heather can't see it, but looking from this end, it was so apparent to me.
Jason has been pulled to many projects that need to be done ... like, just today, he needs to repair a broken water pipe before we can have water again in our houses. Agh!!! it is always something to take him away from his needed tasks. He has been working on getting the structure for Myrtle's outside kitchen and dish washing area complete and under roof. It is amazing and wonderful to see how he makes use (or reuse) of materials from old buildings, the jungle, the trash heaps, etc to make something useful and serviceable for his family and sets a wonderful example for the village. So often villagers feel like they can't make, do or build something because they don't have the means to buy lumber, etc. Well, the things around here that J&M have built, or reused attest to that erroneous thinking ... Just Myrtles container gardens alone attest to the wonderful shabby~chic use of beach combing reusable thing ... my favorite is the broken end of a kayak that she has hanging plants in!
Yesterday, we went to the junction, got some red sand to fill the floors in for the kitchen, which he built up with rubble and refuse from old cement blocks, wall plaster pieces, etc. We then went on to collect many long pieces of wild cane to fill in the spaces between the pimento logs lining our shower. Lastly, we went in search of long hard wood sticks to serve as pieces for the hanging chairs that I have made and have waiting only for the wood to put them together. In this, we were able to find some trees that had been downed to clear out around the area where the pump house is by the river where they get their water. Now the task will be to cut them to length, finish off the bark and sand them before we drill holes and put the chairs together ... I am kinda of excited to do that part especially.
The Kids go back to school today after a long two week break for Easter and spring. It will be good for them to again have a routine ... and quieter for us adults. The last two nights, JM&G plus DeeDee slept on the roof of the house in a tent.
We are still have refrigerator issues ... the side by side that J&M have for the restaurant has stopped (again) circulating the cool air and Myrtle lost much of her veggies for the restaurant. We still don't have a viable fridge for Yamaya's Place (our house) ; the one being used here works, but has to be defrosted about every 5 days ... not too much of a pain, but one none the less. I think the guy they get the appliances from is a rip off artist, but J seems to trust. Any one who would like to sent help regarding a new fridge would be wonderful ... just make sure that it is specifically sent for that purpose or the fundage might get used where ever else it is needs.
Well, just found out that we need to have me make a motorcycle run into Dangriga for pvc parts and some much needed few groceries ... wish me luck, s'bin the first time since I fell the last bike ride ... need to 'get back on the horse' so to speak ... well, gonna post pics here and then get going... also will be pics of the first night and morning in the new house!
First night, full moon to bless the home!
Jay and Sticky relaxing after a hard move
Maria/Sherylan, Myrtle and Gabe in the crowded new home
Diego on the divide between the homes
sunrise on the first day in new home
Easter weekend shade for restaurant customers (Diana, Myrtz, Jeso (little Josephine) and little Nigel)
Dee Dee with his Easter basket hat
John and Fam for easter Dinner
Jozzie's is open!!!
the proprietors of Jozzies!
Poppy with Myrtles Nubian beauty
Kitchen
Camping on the roof
Wow, look at the energy orbs circling the homes!
King of the newest sand hill
Shed with ALLLLLLL the stuff!
Well, that's all folks! Peace. Out.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
So Hey everyone! ... long night in the village last night ... another wake, this time for an older gentleman who I had taken to Stann Creek on day to see the doctor ... he passed several days ago. The funeral is happening today ...
Today is Zane's last full day in the village ... a number of folks are stopping by to wish him well and safe travels. Currently he is out washing my motorcycle.
Very excited ... the other day the fabric for the "bump's" crib quilt arrived, and so I have started to cut out squares for that. It's exciting creating something new for a new baby that will be a lasting memory for Heather, Mark and the Babe.
When we take Zane to the airport tomorrow, I will have to find a government office a pay for my next month's visa ... also, we will try to find the fabric store and get some fabric for covering the mattress here in the house.
Speaking of house ... Zane and I have named it 'Yamaya's Place ... in honor of the African Goddess of the Yoruban tribe from Nigeria. She is the Goddess of the Ocean and below is a picture that hangs in the house along with an explanation of who she is. We felt it was an appropriate name. Jason wanted the place named ... since, when he builds the cabana over the water, he will call it "The Last Waltz" in honor of his Uncle Burt ... apparently Uncle Burt has no living male relatives that carry the Waltz name and so Jason wants to remember him in that lasting manner.
So, this Tuesday is "Fat Tuesday" or Shrove Tuesday" so called by the Pennsylvania Dutch ...it is the last day before Lent begins. In the tradition of the PA Dutch, they made Fasnachts, a raised donut with a potato base ... at home as a child, we would split them open and fill them with sweet shorgum molasses ... here we powder sugared them. My recipe made about 10 dozen! ... an all day process of cooking them, but yum did they taste like shades of my childhood and my Daddy!
Yesterday our friend Lisa sent a 'winter poem' ... a picture of folks walking in the snow and the poem said s--t it's cold! Then end ... well, below you will see a 'winter poem' from Belize ... a warm and sunny sunrise!
hope y'all enjoy the pictures
Today is Zane's last full day in the village ... a number of folks are stopping by to wish him well and safe travels. Currently he is out washing my motorcycle.
Very excited ... the other day the fabric for the "bump's" crib quilt arrived, and so I have started to cut out squares for that. It's exciting creating something new for a new baby that will be a lasting memory for Heather, Mark and the Babe.
When we take Zane to the airport tomorrow, I will have to find a government office a pay for my next month's visa ... also, we will try to find the fabric store and get some fabric for covering the mattress here in the house.
Speaking of house ... Zane and I have named it 'Yamaya's Place ... in honor of the African Goddess of the Yoruban tribe from Nigeria. She is the Goddess of the Ocean and below is a picture that hangs in the house along with an explanation of who she is. We felt it was an appropriate name. Jason wanted the place named ... since, when he builds the cabana over the water, he will call it "The Last Waltz" in honor of his Uncle Burt ... apparently Uncle Burt has no living male relatives that carry the Waltz name and so Jason wants to remember him in that lasting manner.
So, this Tuesday is "Fat Tuesday" or Shrove Tuesday" so called by the Pennsylvania Dutch ...it is the last day before Lent begins. In the tradition of the PA Dutch, they made Fasnachts, a raised donut with a potato base ... at home as a child, we would split them open and fill them with sweet shorgum molasses ... here we powder sugared them. My recipe made about 10 dozen! ... an all day process of cooking them, but yum did they taste like shades of my childhood and my Daddy!
Yesterday our friend Lisa sent a 'winter poem' ... a picture of folks walking in the snow and the poem said s--t it's cold! Then end ... well, below you will see a 'winter poem' from Belize ... a warm and sunny sunrise!
hope y'all enjoy the pictures
Yamaya
Tres Rios (3RB) in Belize
Zane and the Bike
Sara's Snatch!
More of 3RB in front of a portion of Jay's house
will publish the 'winter poem' pictures in a minute
Peace~Out!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Hey y'all! ... another bright sunny and warm day here in Belize ...
Yesterday Zane and Jay took off for Dangriga in the morning for a quick trip ... by three o'clock they weren't home, we had company that they had met in Mexico (from MN) and Myrtle and I were getting worried...so, I took off on a motorcycle to find them ... I finally ran into them at the start of the coastal road ... they had to go up to Belmopan to go to the credit union, b/c the one in Dangriga was not open due to computer failure. I was relieved to find them!
Then, we spent the evening entertaining the MN folks and their two kids ... Myrtle made a big spread of fish and stuff ... they camped out on the roof of Jay's house ... they were drinking a great deal and very loud and noisy late into the night and early morning. The guy, John, even fell off the roof (drunk I assume but wasn't hurt) I wasn't impressed, but Jay, being his loving self is like ... 'no worries" ...
Guys are working on getting pimento today for the shower walls and such ...
comments have come to me about the picture of Zane that J took on their trip ... I think it is one of the best of him ever!
Well, more work today on Lisa's quilt.
All for now ... peace~out!
Yesterday Zane and Jay took off for Dangriga in the morning for a quick trip ... by three o'clock they weren't home, we had company that they had met in Mexico (from MN) and Myrtle and I were getting worried...so, I took off on a motorcycle to find them ... I finally ran into them at the start of the coastal road ... they had to go up to Belmopan to go to the credit union, b/c the one in Dangriga was not open due to computer failure. I was relieved to find them!
Then, we spent the evening entertaining the MN folks and their two kids ... Myrtle made a big spread of fish and stuff ... they camped out on the roof of Jay's house ... they were drinking a great deal and very loud and noisy late into the night and early morning. The guy, John, even fell off the roof (drunk I assume but wasn't hurt) I wasn't impressed, but Jay, being his loving self is like ... 'no worries" ...
Guys are working on getting pimento today for the shower walls and such ...
comments have come to me about the picture of Zane that J took on their trip ... I think it is one of the best of him ever!
Well, more work today on Lisa's quilt.
All for now ... peace~out!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Well, the 'boys' returned to us safe and sound from Mexico with great tales, sore tails (lol) and happy smiles and some pictures. It really encouraged Jason to brush up on his Spanish (like Tio Chuy he told Gabe) because inside the 'free zone' as well in the border town, there was NO English spoken. They spent the nite in a nice motel/apartment unit and had a few beers ... went to the WALMART! ... one of the reasons Jason wanted to check it out. In the free zone he found a good deal on tires, so he was anxious to start setting money aside ($125US each) for 10 ply tires which would be marvelous on the rough coastal road and much to be desired!
Well, finally got the three hammocks done for John Moore, one of the folks here in the Village who has a nice guest house ... he paid me $15 BZ for each ... so, a nice $45 for about 10 hours work.
Well, that's it for today ... Peace~Out!
Zane and the bikes in Corozal
New, more modern lighthouse being built (looks like an amusement park ride or modern art to me)
Jason's artsy fartsy shot of the lighthouse
Coastal view
They made it!
One of my favorite shots of my Love! So Happy!
Rainbow wishes!
Great signage that Jason just had to stop and take a picture of :-)
View from their room overlooking the water
Moonrise in the morning
I will attempt to upload a few picture here. Done! Successful ... thats about it ... today the guys are going into Dangriga to hit the credit union, get tires for Jason's truck and get lube for the motorcycle chains. J will probably have two trips to town on Friday, b/c the reaping in the orange groves is going on and the folks will want to cash their checks and get stuff, so Zane doesn't want to have to deal with all those folks and all that time ... so a quick trip today will sufficeWell, finally got the three hammocks done for John Moore, one of the folks here in the Village who has a nice guest house ... he paid me $15 BZ for each ... so, a nice $45 for about 10 hours work.
Well, that's it for today ... Peace~Out!
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