argh!

DH came home, and immediately plopped into bed for a nap.

:p:o:p

(the heat in May here is debilitating...)

so, despite my eyes burning... I'm coping with TWO fans on full-blast.

:(:mad::(

I just hope they don't lose control of it or anything, 'cause it's pretty DRY here right now...

the rains are due "soon"

controlled burns are how Maya farmers do their "Milpa" farming...

they're burning off a few acres of jungle brush, then they'll plant in the rich soil left behind, and move on...

The milpa cycle calls for 2 years of cultivation and eight years of letting the area lie fallow. Agronomists point out that the system is designed to create relatively large yields of food crops without the use of artificial pesticides or fertilizers, and they point out that it is self-sustaining at current levels of consumption....

The word is also used for a small field, especially in Mexico or Central America, that is cleared from the jungle, cropped for a few seasons, and then abandoned for a fresh clearing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milpa

CayoKay, Are you down by Mexico? Isn't that Central America? I put "Belize" on the net. BTW: What do you think of we Americans (lol) here in the USA calling the USA America? :p (I'm in Ohio, by the lakes up near Canada. I'm by the littlest one.)

here's where I am:

http://kayleon.ourbelize.net/map.jpg

I lived in California for 47 years... and moved to Belize 3 and a half years ago.

my life's dream was to have a little farm, and raise all my own food, and be independent as possible...

How often is Belize hit with hurricanes?

I saw that Brazil is free from the oil crises, cars run on hybrids that use sugar cane.

hmm, having your own farm. That is a nice thought.

last year was pretty unusual, with TWO Cat 5's looming over Belize.

one went north of us (Dean) and one went south (Felix).

I bought my land FAR inland, precisely for that reason:

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2549/belizetd1.gif

we live close to the Maya ruin of Xunantunich, at the Guatemala border, about 80 miles inland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xunantunich

as to how often hurricanes hit... well, a LOT less than Florida or the southern US Atlantic coast... actually, it's about every 20 years, according to experts.

Kay - Thank you so much for teaching us about Belize. It is truly awesome. Now, looking at the map . . . .I could be there in I think about a couple of days. I think - depending on road conditions. Heck, driving in Mexico is quite an experience and the roads really aren't too good. LOL.

Gonna call sandy and let her update yall for me I'm tired!

renee, please let sandy know how we can help. :hug::hug::hug::hug:

Renee I am home. Ring away. :hug:

Good morning all :) Sun is shining and have my usual morning cup of coffee.

Major muscle fatigue this morning. Think I was going at full tilt boogie with not working, lol. Now I'm paying for it. But it was worth it. ;)

I start a water aerobics class in June, so I think that will be cool. A one day a week thing.

Might join a yoga class or tai chi along the line, but after this week I think "baby steps" is something I need to remind myself of, lol.

Hope everyone has a great day! :grouphug: