9 Jan 2011

9 Jan, Sunday one of the cats, Cookie, doesn't get along with any other cat, so he's in an area all by himself ... a LARGE area. being the judge and jury, i've decided that's not fair ...... and today one of the campers, Kyle from Minnesota, asked if there was anything he could do. Don't let him get away !!!!!!!! so i ask him what he would do to divide the area. Kyle works on a farm and he could do this job in an afternoon. Of course, we can't get the materials today, because it's Sunday, and he's leaving tomorrow :( IF i'm successful, this job will take me DAYS :( here is an example of a 'patch job' to keep the cats from escaping from a whole in the fence; but it's not working and they've figured out a way to escape. so, i tore out all the misc boards and attached some screening. it's not perfect, but it's better than it was. every night is the same. i need food (inexpensive) and i need to use the internet. tonight i choose a "Sports Bar" and they are playing Trivia. 4 nice young Asian guys from Canada join me at my table..... their Trivia name is "Can-Asians" ... cute, huh? now i feel something at my feet ... it's a sweet faced boxer-mix dog .... i am eating some fish that i'm not terribly impressed with. i normally DO NOT give animals 'people' food ... but .... i offered him a piece of the fish ... he took it so gently ... he finished my plate, and is now laying with his head on my feet. God, my heart goes out to all animals !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... and now i can't disturb him .... i'll be here all night :)

8 Jan 2011

8 Jan 2011 Unlike last year, the weather is hot and sunny. I packed extra warm clothes this year because it was so cold the first couple of weeks i arrived here last year. Not so this year, at least so far. The weather has been perfect, ... sunny, warm breeze, and i've not been cold. For those of you who know me ... that's amazing ..... and i LOVE it ! There are a couple young tent campers here. One helping Madi with the cats and the others just helping her cause by paying to stay here. Today another volunteer arrived, Stephanie, from New Brunswick, Canada. (That's just north of the Maine border. ) She works for the ASPCA there. I think she is going to be a great help; and i'm excited that Madi has gotten some reliable and responsible help. So many times, young people show up with great intentions to stay for a week; but the enthusiasm fades after a few days, and they leave. This is especially sad when Madi has spent considerable amount of time training them. But Madi always takes it all in stride; appreciating the time they've offered. i spent my day repairing and replacing .... i'll be at this for awhile .... :) The 3 of us went to dinner that night, an unusual event for Madi; since she rarely goes out. Madi is on the right. i have my "Bugg Off" shirt on ... i'm determined not to be breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the no-see-ums this year! If you notice the green peppers, this is obviously not MY dinner .... but looks good .... note the little 'umbrellas' and the Belican Beer ....

2011--Belize Again

7 Jan 2011: I'm in Belize ... back on the Barrier Reef for my second winter. I had so many fun and exciting adventures last year, I came back again. i like it here, i'm comfortable. so, at least i am starting my journey here. i've kept in touch with Madi, from PAW Animal Sanctuary, that i stayed with last year. For those of you who have just joined the blog, here is the web address, (www.pawanimalsanctuarybelize.com), it is located on Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. i really procrastinated in getting myself organized as to where i wanted to go this winter. I wanted to visit Madi and the cats again, i knew that much. And, as of this writing i still don't have my next plans finalized. So, hang on for the ride. I flew into Belize City this year. Last year, i experienced the 'adventure' of flying into Cancun, Mexico; successfully making my way via buses to Playa del Carmen, then south to the Mexican/Belizian border, and continued south and east to the islands. It took me 2 days to get there. And, i accomplished my objective: part of the adventure is in the 'getting there'. This year, i left Kalamazoo at 6am and arrived in Belize City at 2:10pm, quickly went through immigration and customs (nothing like Cancun). Madi arranged for a taxi to meet me at the airport. i felt quite special, with a sign with "Donna P" on it waiting for me :) Chester SPED to the Water Taxi, since he promised Madi he's have me on the 3pm water taxi. we arrived just in time to be 'wisked' onto the 3pm boat. Whew! That has to be some kind of a record. Maybe you think i'm getting 'soft', ... but please, don't make any judgments just yet. I am staying in 'my' room ... the one i stayed in last year. But it's been upgraded from a room with a bathroom and a bed. i now have a refrigerator, microwave, sink, and a 2-burner hot plate, table and chairs, easy chair and 'coffee' table. The refrigerator is especially welcome! We still don't make ice; but it's nice to have cool water to drink, and a place to store my vitamins :) oh, and some very cold wraps to 'ice' my wrist. Here are 2 pics: My initial reaction is that not too much has changed here. She has 'lost' a few more kitties; but has also gained a few .. so the numbers are still around 80 !!! There is lots of 'repair' work for me to do, hinges, latches, screens, etc. ... they all have 'my' name on them :)