SIMON

POST # 260

Introducing Simon, the new neighbourhood furball. It might be difficult to see from this photo, but Simon is missing his hind left leg.  Here he is from a different angle:

Aside from the fact that he can't jump up on things like a four legged furball, he seems to not be bothered by this, and is surprisingly agile in spite of his condition. Plus, he is one of the friendliest felines that I have had the pleasure of knowing.  He just continues to live in the present moment, and he appears to be both happy and content. As always, the four legged animals (or in Simon's case, three), continue to provide valuable lessons to us two legged animals on how to appreciate the fact that we are alive.  

Here is one final photo of Simon, and if you look 

very closely, you can spot a tiny splash of white fur right at the tip of his tail.  Along with his white racing stripe, he is one handsome dude.

With any luck, I'll get to see Simon again, prior to heading off to my next house sit with one of my favourite furballs, Piper.  So many furballs, so little time. 

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

POST # 259
This post will be short and sweet, as I will be on the road later today.
The scenery has gone from this:

To this:

In some respects the views are similar.   Water, sky and vegetation in both photos. But arriving back in the land of snow and ice is somewhat shocking to this aging Canuck.  

I had just gotten used to seeing the North star low on the horizon at 17 degrees, and now I have to crane my neck all the way back to see it at 49 degrees in the night sky.   Proof positive that I am well and truly back in the temperate latitudes. 

For the last couple of days I've been visiting friends who used to live on the Sunshine Coast until late last year. Our prior contact has been via the internet, so it has been wonderful to spend some time face to face with the two of them and their menagerie of boneheads & furballs. They have a total of six, three of each.  I am very fortunate indeed to have had this opportunity to visit them. 

So a big thanks to the two Debs, the boneheads, Francis, Dharma and Zoe, as well as the furballs, Barney, Karma and Tony. 

It's been three days filled with laughter, stimulating conversation, and companionship.

Time to get back on the road again. It's what I do best. 

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

PART 4 of THE BELIZE ADVENTURE (departing soon)

POST # 258

Throughout my entire visit here in Belize, I've yet to see a single moose, and the weather has been much too warm for snowmobiling. The signs above are posted in front of some "crazy Canuck's" place just up the road from here.  Perhaps they're from the Yukon, and they miss the place?  That's understandable, because the Yukon can have that affect upon a person. Robert Service and Jack London come to mind.  Or perhaps they just have a good sense of humour? Whatever the reason for the signs, seeing them made me laugh during my bike ride into San Antonio village, which is about three kilometres from where I've been staying. 

If one spends time on the roads here in Belize, you'll be sure to come across this sign every now and again:

This certainly portrays the idea of a " silent policeman " quite well.   There is a speed bump at this particular point on the road, however the road has so many bumps and potholes, adding speed bumps seems a bit redundant as far as I am concerned. 

I have many more photos and a few videos that I would like too share, but I think I'll save them for a future post when I have a desk top computer to work from. By then I'll be back in the frozen North, and some tropical pictures might be just what the doctor ordered. 

My time in Belize is rapidly coming to a close and it's hard to believe that I arrived here back on March 15th. 

My friends and hosts, Guy and Pauline have been more generous than words can express, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend so much precious time with them. 

Years ago, as I was saying goodbye at the Mud Hut after my very first visit, I said that it might be the one and only time that I would be there.  History shows that I went back there for a total of seven visits. 

I'll be saying goodbye soon to my friends after my first visit to the Stardust Sanctuary Farm,  here in Belize. Will it be my last visit?  I want to believe that it won't be. Only time and/or the ongoing destruction of the natural world and subsequent collapse of industrial civilization provide an answer to that question. 

Living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

PS: The

 TW will be wandering (and thinking) next week. If I have a WiFi connection I will post on April 21st as scheduled.

PART 3 of THE BELIZE ADVENTURE

POST # 257

In 1981, not long after he shot "Apocalypse Now," director Francis Ford Coppola arrived here (above) at Blancaneaux Lodge to spend time writing.
Blancaneaux was named after Francis Joseph Blancaneaux (1852-1923), a French botanist who was the original owner. With a French heritage like mine, and the fact that he and I share two names (Joseph & Francois), no wonder I liked the place as soon as I arrived with my good friend, Guy.  Aside from a plan to have lunch, the main reason for us being here was because Guy was scheduled to be interviewed for a podcast. This place has a fast and mostly reliable internet connection, which is essential for a clear podcast.

Considering the content of Guy's message regarding abrupt climate change,  and the fact that it is a rather apocalyptic scenario, it was a funny coincidence that we found ourselves sitting in what has come to be known as " the apocalypse room" at Blancaneaux Lodge. Here is a photo of the room.

If you look closely you may be able to see a ceiling fan spinning above the bar. Up until the beginning of 2017, the fan that used to be there was the fan that was in the opening scene https://m.youtube.com/?reload=2&rdm=2ifxdj614#/watch?v=e5L617dEXlE

 of the movie mentioned at the start this post, and hence the nickname for the room. However, on his most recent visit back in January (?), Mr. Coppola decided to take the famous fan with him. Maybe he knows what's coming or perhaps he reads Guy's website?  In any event, the fan and the room's name helped provide some gallows humour for Guy's podcast interview which can be found at this link: https://guymcpherson.com/2017/04/archived-interview-with-carol-rosin-and-more/#more-13935

It ended up being a good day out, and prior to our departure, I took a few more photos. 

Guy doing his favourite thing- eating ice cream, and a photo of Francis Joseph Blancaneaux.
Finally, a view of the gardens at the Lodge.

 living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer