Kay, Glad to hear you live in a safe area. How do you deal with the heat?

Vonn, I did go to see Indiana Jones and you are right. Harrison Ford still looks pretty good.

in 2005, we set up wind-socks to locate the breeziest part of the property, and determine the wind direction...

then, we built the house so it catches even the smallest breeze... the whole east and south sides are screened porch, and the roof overhangs are wide, giving shade to the house... plus, there's 50-foot tall mango trees all around, for extra shade.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7691/dscn4230mx0.jpg

the windows are just sturdy screens, (no glass) with heavy-duty bolt-down shutters.

the ceilings are *very* tall (ten feet) which gives room for the hot air to rise, then, we have powerful ceiling fans, and a venting cupola, that sucks the hot air right out through screened opening in the ceiling, and lets it out at the top of the roof.

the last thing that keeps the house so cool is the underground cistern.

we excavated a huge pit, lined it with double rows of cement blocks, and triple rebar for strength... then we sealed it, painted it with Dam-Tite (like in a swimming pool), put in an access hatch, and built the house right on top of the 15 thousand gallon water storage cistern.

the roof-edges all have gutters that catch the rain, filter it, and funnel it into the cistern, and all that cool water under the house makes the tiled floor nice and COOL for the bare feet.

we have no air conditioning, and we just made it through the hottest months here (April and May) in the tropics... we were comfortable.

this was a project with many years of thought and loving care in every detail...

thanks for asking Barb... now, have I bored you to tears?

:o :D :o

Just popped in for a tic and saw that everyone's been on storm alert. I'm glad that you're all safe, and that the worst of all the storms have passed you by. Please let them not come back!

Looks like there's just you for us to worry about right now Kay. http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i.../umbrela43.gif

Please take care. We'll all be waiting to hear that you're safe. :hug:

Kay, glad your still hanging in there with the storm!

Frank, I am assuming all went well. No news is good news.

I spoke with Renee today and she is swamped packing up the house but hanging in there as best as she can. Her mom should be getting in tomorrow to help her get out of there.

Kay ... watched the nightly news and they talked about Belize in the storm - I felt a bit smug because YOU already filled us in on it already this afternoon!!

finished homework for both classes, worked on 2 4th of July runners ... and made a floppy hat ...

I didn't think that making a 'clothing' item was for me ... but I cut it out (with lining) and got it all sewn ... and added some decorative tacks (my Harley ones and one that I got from Alaska, the Royal Gorge and the Brewers!)

if it wasn't for my legs (thigh area) tightening up and in constant pain - I wouldn't think I was a sick-o ... is this how it starts?? the pain is everyday all day long - and just walk slow ... and in public, like a drunk at 10am without a drink!

oh yeah!

isn't it *fun* knowing the news before it shows up on the news?

:D :hug::D

and, unlike most Americans, YOU guys actually know exactly where Belize is, AND you know somebody who lives there !!

:cool::winky::cool:

I've gotten "those" looks... from total strangers.

like... "Isn't it a bit EARLY to be hittin' the bottle, lady?"

I know exactly what you mean, Vonn... my legs feel like tightened piano strings.

even the *skin* feels taut... and the muscles are all sproinged... ka-boing.

but mine isn't in my thighs, it's my calves.

I only wish the tightness would extend further down, to my ankles...

naturally, (this being the MS we all know and love) my ankles tend to fold up like accordion pleats and collapse outward without the slightest warning.

this rain-rain-endless-rain thing hath its advantages though.

I'm wearing heavy-gauge knee-high farm boots, and they keep my ankles stiff during my outdoor chores...

after work, we sit down to dinner (he cooks every night), and watch a movie downloaded from the web.

tonight was an oldie "Runaway Train" with Rebecca De Mornay.

the rain is still falling, hammering on the zinc roof... my friend calls it "freight train rain"

:):rolleyes::)

Kay,

When I read your posts, I just want to move there and build a little farmette. :) Thanks for sharing with us!

so, would that mean, The Wiz is off to see the tropics?

:D

actually, I don't recommend visiting or moving here, unless you can handle the *most* unbelievable amount, variety, and strangeness of BUGS, snakes, spiders, scorpions, tarantulas, and worse.

I've promised several members that I won't put up any pictures of some of the crawly things... but sometimes it's gotta be seen to be believed.

on the other hand, there's ALSO a huge array of hummingbirds, unbelievably beautiful butterflies flying everywhere, and the most colorful birds on the planet.

I got to see my first Ara Macao (Scarlet Macaw) two weeks ago, and nearly SWOONED with joy !!

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4928/bux19jxbcd9.jpg

(the above is *not* my picture, whoopsie-daisy - mine came out all blurry, this is one I found online.)

morning all .. having my sunday morning coffee ... enjoying the sunshine .. suppose to get to 70+ today .. with a breeze .. anything more than that .. I'm not good.

hope everyone has a nice sunday wherever they are!!

HAPPY JUNE!