Category Archives: Amusing

Amusing, Belize, Fiction, Pets

New School For Paradise Piggies!!

Munchkin.Bossie

Yes I think it is about time we had another Paradise Piggies update…you know the friendly bunch of guinea pigs residing at the fictional gated community of Paradise Pastures. We don’t get much feedback on these posts so we wonder if anyone else gets the same amusing pleasure as we do in making up silly stories on Piggies in Paradise and Mayoral elections.  We suspect not…but hey…we guffaw over the guinea pig comments and Mayor Gnome antics.  I suppose that’s something.

This is an MGNews update bringing the latest thrilling exploits of the piggies in the best jungle resort in Belize.  Mayor Gnome has inaugurated the opening of a school in Paradise Pastures.  In other words, he’s put a sign up and said a few nice words.

School Sign.
School Sign.

A school to educate the next generation.

Paradise Pastures: The Next Generation.
Paradise Pastures: The Next Generation.

The piggies are really excited about the prospect of a school.  Here are a few comments from the residents of this fortunate community:

Dishawn-Piggie:

Grandma.Stumpy.Reception.Three.Piggies

” Power to the Piggies.  We need to preserve our art, culture and history!”

Penelope-Piggie:

Grandma.Stumpy.Reception.More.Piggies

“More science and engineering for the piggies!  We need to build rockets to the moon and have one common goal for the good of Piggie-kind!”

Well, this is certainly a good start to the year with lofty and inspiring thoughts.  A Big Thank-you to Isabel for the gift of the clay school plaque.  The piggies had a good chew on it but quickly realised that it was inedible.  They were asking if you could pleeeease  make a sign out of gingerbread next time…thanks in advance!

Piggie Education.
Piggie Education.
Amusing, Belize, Our Products

We Are Still Here!

Together.on.Couch

Hello There!!  We are still here but experiencing some technical problems, amongst other things.  First of all, my faithful little hp Notebook died.  It gave one last exhalation, the lights blinked on and then off.  Alas, rest in peace my dear computer which has been our companion for six years and used to accompany us into town during our Internet cafe years.

RIP Computer.
RIP Computer.

And so we have one computer to share which is actually “Gnome’s Laptop.”  it has been hard to get a Munchkin schedule on the computer because Gnome is temporarily out of action.  Yes, the hand is still swollen…

Gnome's swollen hand wrapped up in scarf.
Gnome’s swollen hand wrapped up in scarf.

Gnome has been watching films back to back because he can’t do anything with a swollen left hand.  I really didn’t want to take the computer off him because he was seriously climbing the walls with boredom.  Anyway, the hand is getting better and I am sure we can work on a computer schedule so that I can write posts on a more regular basis!

Oh, and in addition to the computer breaking down (what next, huh?), the printer has carked it too!  So now we have to do “labels on-the go” as we get orders.  This means that before delivery, we have to go to the Internet cafe to print out labels.  We then cut and paste the labels in the car before we pack everything up to send.

Cutting and Labeling in the Truck.
Cutting and Labeling in the Truck.

The other day I forgot the glue stick so had to do another circle around town to pick up glue and return to Tropic Air to stick on the labels.  Last minute packing is done in the car-park at Tropic Air!!

Label and Pack Before Delivery!
Label and Pack Before Delivery!

Despite all this, I would like to think we are delivering the best service!!

Amusing, Belize, Feedback, Philosophy

Thank-you For The Gifts.

Another.Munchkin.Ugly.Monster

You might recall that in a previous post which was written about 2 months ago, I had expressed the need for a desk lamp.  In fact, I had been quite explicit about it because the post was named “I Need A Desk Lamp.”

I had actually posted this at the time because I was really rather desperate for one as I wanted a close-up light to hand-sew.  At that time, Gnome advised me to ask for it directly in order to prove or disprove the idea of “ask and you shall receive.”  I was a bit cynical but decided that it was worth the try…besides I couldn’t find one in Belize.

On New Year’s Day I reminded Gnome of this intention that I had made and rather glumly said to him that I did not receive a desk lamp so I had to disprove the theory.  Gnome replied by saying,

“Maybe it just hasn’t come yet.”

I shrugged my shoulders and let it go.

Then this happened today.  Whenever we get all sorts of computer stuff that we no longer need to use but still works, we usually give it away to guy in Punta Gorda who “does computers” so that he can add it to his graveyard of electronics.  Anyway, we went to see him today to give him stuff and he was so appreciative that he offered a “free room” in his shop on the off chance that we were stranded in town for the night.  He also gave us this:

Solar Desk Lamp.
Solar Desk Lamp.

When Gnome saw this, he beamed a knowing smile at me.  When I saw this, I  grinned back!!

Too funny, right?  And this guy has never read my Blog or seen my statement of intent.  What are the chances of that?

Anyway, Thank-you!!  And another big Thank-you to Paul for his gift of speakers.  Now we can listen to our favourite songs in the middle of the jungle.

This one is for you Paul:

Amusing, Belize, Farming

A1 For Effort!

Together.Smiling

Yesterday was bright and dry and we managed to maintain  good humour despite all our machinery being broken. I planted a bunch of seedlings including some lemons which had been left at our gate on New Year’s Day by somebody (we think we know who the gift bringer was…so thank-you Dave).

Assorted Seedlings.
Assorted Seedlings.

Gnome was in top form and got out the manual lawn-mower…look at that…the sheer motivation of Gnome to get out there and do something.

Manual Mower.
Manual Mower.

But of course Gnomes are rather ingenious creatures and the tinkering of machinery is what life is all about. So he has started reading a book on small gas engines (thank-you to a Hawaiian Gnome for giving us this book) and he has decided that it would be a lot more efficient to attach the tiller engine onto the manual lawn-mower in order to motorize it…watch this space for more Gnome Rigging.

Gnome.Reading.Book

This morning was not so bright and cheery since Gnome woke up with a swollen hand. About two weeks ago, a huge prickle penetrated his left knuckle area. At the time, he managed to pull it out but unfortunately, part of it actually got stuck inside. We had to cut the area open in order to remove the foreign body. However, with the way life is on the farm, Gnome never really got round to resting it completely in order for it to heal. Hence we have a Gnome unable to do any work but sorely tempted to do work. We had to end up wrapping the hand  in a scarf so that he couldn’t move it at all…looks a bit like a sock puppet!  Here is a picture of him holding our new year’s baby.  This is a straight haired lemon agouti guinea pig.

Gnome Holding Piggy.
Gnome Holding Piggy.

At least he can enjoy the piggies!!

Amusing, Belize, Philosophy

A Brand New Year With Munchkin and Gnome!!

Together.Sea.of.Tranquility

It’s a brand new year bringing change and clarity.  Let us all be imaginative and creative so that we can get out of the blah and mundaneness of life.  Munchkin and Gnome will strive to keep the Magic going!!   Are you ready to follow us…

Into The Jungle (Our New Theme For 2016)!!

This story, all names, characters and incidents portrayed in this production are non-fictitious.  Identification with actual persons, places, buildings and products is intended and should be inferred.

Amusing, Belize, Farming

Bruk Dong III…With A Vengeance!!

Yes, Bruk Dong Monday continues with a vengeance.  If you will recall, on Monday all our machinery stopped working including the weed-eater, the chain-saw, the drill bit broke and our make-shift table (crate) broke.  After that, we decided that the best course of action was to lay low and do nothing.  I even stopped Gnome from mowing the grass.  At about 6pm that very day we heard a funny popping sound coming from outside but we could not determine the source of the noise.  On Tuesday morning, Gnome smelled some smoke in the air and thought that it was a funny time for some-one to be burning at this time of the year.

It all started to make sense when Gnome went to get out the brush-mower on Tuesday morning.  This is what he found:

Bruk Dong Brush Mower.
Bruk Dong Brush Mower.
More Melted Wire.
More Melted Wire.

Look…the wires have all melted!!  Gnome explained that the ignition switch finally gave up and in failing caused a short circuit that melted the wire.  This has also caused damage to many other parts and in short (ha-ha)…it is not working.

Gnome apologetically said:

“Sorry, I can’t Gnome Rig this one!!  We need to bring in the parts from the States!!”

Gnome.Face

And I replied cheekily,

“But Dear, we don’t have 24 hour rush delivery in Belize!”

Munchkin.Funny.Look.Yet.Another

So, no more mowing for a few months until we get the parts.  I guess we can finish the house paneling and the duck coup instead!  Definitely no shortage of work on the farm…

Amusing, Belize, Farming

Bruk Dong Monday!

Glowing.Gnome

What a Monday.  This morning, before we had even stepped out of the house, Gnome had said rather aptly (with great humour intended):

“The equipment on the farm works according to the planetary day of the week.”

He started off with the chainsaw and it refused to start.  He even cleaned up the spark plug to make sure. In the end, he told me that the Primer Bulb had broken…I have to say that statement meant absolutely nothing to me….

Together.Munchkin.Annoyed

Next, he started using the weed-eater and it kept losing power and cutting out.  Gnome finally inspected it and thought that there were carbeurator issues (again that statement just went over my head).  When he was trying to open the weed-eater  up, the drill bit broke:

Drill Bit Broken.
Drill Bit Broken.

On top of all of this, the crate (which was a make-shift “work-top” suddenly broke!

Broken Crate.
Broken Crate.

We finally decided at 9am to “call it a day” because everything was done broke.  I did not want to tempt fate by asking him to get the brush-mower out!  I was even eyeing up the huge pile of laundry and sorely tempted to switch on the washing machine.  Having thought about it for a few seconds, I finally said to Gnome,

“Ok Gnome! I think I get the message.  Let’s take it easy!”

Everything Done-Broke!
Everything Done-Broke!

And so we did…just because of the unfortunate conjunction of the stars!

Amusing, Belize, Pets

Paradise Piggies: Merry Christmas!!

A Merry Christmas to you all from the Piggies at Paradise Pastures!  Wishing everyone a Happy Festive Season and they are all looking forward to Christmas Pudding tomorrow..

Piggies Are Ready!
Piggies Are Ready!

Message from Mayor Gnome:

“Happy Christmas Everyone!!  And may all your dreams come true in the New Year!”

Mayor Gnome
Mayor Gnome

“Get Ready Piggies For 2016…Gnome Buddy Does It Better!”

This story, all names, characters and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious.  No identification with actual persons, places, buildings and products is intended or should be inferred.

Amusing, Belize

Ready For Christmas?

Christmas.Gnome

Phew…another busy day today in town!  Crazy day with patients, in between dashing into very busy shops.  It was so funny, in the Chinese supermarket, waiting in line and watching everyone buy “Christmas Goodies” including Aunt Gemima’s lemon cake mix, marbles, Pringles and basically anything appearing “luxurious” and decadent.

I walked into the Chinese restaurant:

Lots of Beer.
Lots of Beer.

I looked over at the wall of beer and I said to the Chinese girl:

“Are you ready for Christmas?”

And she replied with a sheepish smile:

“Yeah!”

Well, I suppose with 1898 bottles of beer she is  all geared up for Christmas!  Are you Ready For Christmas??  Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Amusing, Belize

Gnome In A Strop!

Poor Gnome!
Poor Gnome!

Oh what a day…phew I am glad that I survived it!  We had a whole load of Christmas deliveries to send out today and guess what?  The truck wouldn’t start!

This is when the Italian Gnome came out with lots of gesticulations towards the sky, gesticulations towards anything really…even the goosie got caught in the cross-fire.  Goosie sort of looked at the ranting Gnome and edged away into the coconuts (now, that is something for a very aggressive goose who thinks that he is boss of the farm).

Mr. Goosie.
Mr. Goosie.

There was a lot of muttering about the “starter” and “connections” and then I slowly edged away too.  It was all rather emotional, hairy with some heavy breathing.  Not something a Munchkin can cope with so off I scurried  into the house to look busy!!

Munchkin.Another.Funny.Shot

It was really “touch and go” for the while!  Eventually the car did start and I didn’t ask any questions.  We just loaded the packages into the truck quick smart so that we could get a move on.

Poor Gnome…what a strop he got into…the emotions of an Italian can sometimes get so hot and overbearing (a bit like the dry season in the Tropics).   Anyway, I finally got Gnome into  a better mood with a coffee by the sea:

Punta Gorda Seaside.
Punta Gorda Seaside.

Thank Goodness for the Duckie Bag!!  Phew…saved by the Duckie Bag…all problems solved with a hot drink and plenty of love and encouragement by the sea!

Travel Bag with Thermos.
Travel Bag with Thermos.