Welcome to my Blog, "You are Always Welcome to My World."

[Bisayako]

welcome back, sir james. we thought you left us already.

[JamesMusslewhite]

welcome back, sir james. we thought you left us already.

No, I hope to be on this website forum a long time. I enjoy writing and telling my observations on the things that make the simplest things in life enjoyable. I write of my experiences as I discover that which is the magic of "Pinoy".

[JamesMusslewhite]

Well I have just about unpacked all the boxes from our move, so I thought I would enjoy the rooftop of the new place. It seemed a good time to do it since everything was in brownout and there was a break in the rainy season. I have an excellent view of some mountains, so I decided I would take advantage of the situation. I watched eagles gracefully glide over the landscape as they returned home from the days hunt, as the sun began to set behind the mountains. Then the shy begins to fill with the bats who will hunt until the sun once again rises; then the eagle will reclaim the skies and resume their hunt. I just sat and stared at the warm amber shades of glowing light as they gently danced off the clouds, which looked as if it was a painting. I could only think, "God can sure paint." I watched the fight between daylight and the darkness of night. It was as if a blanket or a curtain was being pulled across the sky, only to expose a clear warm night bathed in a billion stars. Magic

It is the simplest things that sometimes gives us the most pleasurable experiences. Sometimes all we have to do is take the time to simply stop, look, and enjoy that which is the free to all. That which makes life worth living.  

[OkeiBai]

Sir james, you have eagles in your place? How nice! I have not actually seen one.

[Punkrastaman]

More pa sir james, I learn a lot from ur thoughts...

[JamesMusslewhite]

   When I first moved to Surigao we lived in Sabang 3 which is between Surigao City and Lapata in a small place right on the beach. We rented the second floor apartment which had a great view of a small mountain range. It is a small lush valley ego system with three small rivers leading from the mountains to the sea. This valley is rich with wildlife and secluded patches of jungle. Everyday I could sit and watch that valley view from my living-room window. There were sometimes several eagles which gracefully flew over the landscape as well as several species of large white water fowl and cranes. The eagles are a lovely brown speckled with black and with bright with feathers on their heads. They hover as they catch the wind under their wings and glad on the sea breezes. I have several time had the fly directly over me not being more than twenty feet above my head. They are quite spectacular and it is quite a treat to see them so close and in their natural beauty. They are one of the most graceful birds to observe.
Then when night falls there are several species of bats that take flight to hunt insects and fruits, they come out by the thousands.

   This land is rich in the diversity of it's wildlife and I am glad that the locals are becoming aware of conservation and are now trying to preserve them for later generations to enjoy. You should really spend time to look, learn, and enjoy the different animals, birds, reptiles, and fish of your region where you live.

[JamesMusslewhite]

What a beautiful day,

   The rain decided to take a few days off, I love the rainy season. It cleans the air and washes the landscape, but it is hard on the farmers and the fishermen. They have a term here in Surigao for this time of the year, "War of the pots" meaning how hard it is to gather food to feed their families. The season drives the prices of fruits, vegetables, and fish through the roof. I wonder how some families can afford the extra high prices charged on basics this time of year. In South Mindanao they are in a drought that is predicted to continue this year. In CDO they are conducting water rationing and we are having daily blackouts because the main hydroelectric dam is in low production due to the lake water levels being too low. It will get worst before it get better.

   Farmer's crops are withering in their fields. Poor to no rice production is causing rice farmers to convert to different root crops instead of rice. The low rains will have a major effect on Copra and sugar production. This will mean that there may be future shortages on certain foods which may mean higher prices at the stores and markets; and that the continuing of rolling blackouts is almost a certainty for a while longer this year. To those that live in areas that are only merely inconvenienced and are not directly effected by this drought season, just have patience it will get better. For those Filipinos who are struggling to survive these hard times that nature has placed upon you, take heart and know that the whole of the Philippines supports you. That we will feel your pain and sorrows, and are willing to share the sacrifice that burdens you now. The rains will come again and life will return to normal again. There are better times ahead and you are never alone. The Filipino are one of the toughest most resilient peoples on this planet, that you stand together and support each other through all hard times and adversities. That is the secret of "Peoples Power" and the burning heart of that which is "Pinoy". 

[Utopia]

I love the rain also but only if I am indoors so I wont get wet. Thanks for sharing sir James

[JamesMusslewhite]

Well I am a happy camper. I was offered the frame for a 34" pumpboat, and I think I will try to purchase the hull. It is only 1 to 1-1/2 years old, still in excellent shape. It is deep hulled high sided with a small flat bottom profile, so it should be good for doing light hauling and utility work or fishing. It does not have a motor or shaft. It is strictly the boat body including the wings, I think I will try to purchase it this Friday.

I will haul it over to our Farm on Dinagat Island. There I can take my time and repaint the exterior and re-epoxy the interior. The price is just too good to pass up, even though I really do not have the money because of the new move to this house which is closer to my son's High School. It will make the next few months a little tight. I know that if I pass this boat up that I will always regret not buying this boat. I hate these types of decisions because they make you happy and and yet regretful at the same time. 6,000 pesos is still a cheap price for a solid boat, but I do have a 8-horse motor, prop and shaft; that I can drop into it now. Later I will purchase a 16-18 horse motor. I will still need battery, epoxy, primer, paint, wiring, lights, life jackets, seats, steering wheel, frame material, and canvass. It is an expensive toy that I can make work for me on our farm easier. Not even considering the exploring, fishing, and supply hauls that I will get out of it.

I hope it is not just an albatross instead of the great opportunity that it presently appears to be. This is the stuff that adds new gray hairs on top of your head. Blessing or curse? Hero or Zero.
 

[JamesMusslewhite]

Well I hope nobody was effected by the big Chile Wave. The local government did a good job of warning the locals and actually evacuated 4 barrios from the shores of Surigao City. They did an excellent job of protecting the well being of it's citizenry. Excellent response time, which is a reflection of a city with an aware Major. The police, Coast Guard, and Surigao City rescue were professional and I know the city should be proud of their effort. I am sure other communities also help as large parts of the Philippines could have been in parole if the wave had been larger.

Good job guys   

[Utopia]

Sir, that was such a scare. My friend who lives near the shore was very afraid of the tsunami alert. Thank God it didn't happen.
Hope those people affected can recover soon.

[JamesMusslewhite]

I realized that today is a milestone for me this single blog string has received 1000 views. I am humbled that the members of this site would think that my simple ramblings in type are worthy to have been viewed so much. I am awed and proud of this and I hope it will continue to receive the attention of the members of this forum site. Thank you to all the members and I will try to add more text more often than I have the last few weeks. The move to a new place and now the daily brownouts have made it difficult. I will do my best to contribute to this site every day; if for no other reason, than you readers deserve no less than my best effort. Thank you all and you make me proud.

1000 views

[Kate]

I read your blog whenever I get the chance James and needless to say I enjoy it a whole lot. 

[JamesMusslewhite]

I read your blog whenever I get the chance James and needless to say I enjoy it a whole lot. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and thank you for your warm response. I have wanted to contribute more text but a busy schedule, moving into a new place, and being subject to daily brownouts; has made my efforts slightly less than fruitful. I will have much more time to devote to the blog, so I will be adding a lot of new items to this and other subjects in this section.
 

[JamesMusslewhite]

I have been doing a lot of boating this last week and learned something. Sunburns hurt like hell. An American that I know is returning home to for 6 months to work and earn monies to return and live here again. I tried to move a boat he has over to a beach property we own on Dinagat Island while he was gone. He said it was in good working order so it should easily make the 1-1/2 hour trip. We get my two brother-in-laws to catch a ferry to Surigao City to help take the boat over in what is suppose to be a simple and pleasurable task.

It was a nightmare event, due to major motor problems. We were stuck in high waves, dead in the water, and 4 hours later we were barely able to get the boat from Mabua Beach to Sabang near Lipata Pier. This should have been less than a 30 minute trip. Now the boat is pulled up on land of another friend of mine, with the motor pulled out and torn apart. My American friend does not have the funds to fix his boat, now I have had to spend money for two-way ferry tickets, food, labor, motor parts, and still will have to spend more to get his boat to our property. This gesture of friendship has cost me money, consumed lots of time, and will continue to complicate my life untill I get his boat repaired or tow his boat over to our property on the island. This has been a major pain in my ass, and the cause of a really bad sunburn. I have not known this man but less than a few weeks, as he was just recently introduced to me by another American friend of mine. My NEW American FRIEND has not even said "thank you" or even an "I'm sorry" and is being very little help even though he leaves to fly to the States in about a week. He seems quite content to simply leave it in my lap until he leaves. I am sorry I ever met the man or offered to safe harbor his boat. It seems like sometimes my life is easier and less complicated without so called friends.   

I guess the old saying does apply, "No good deed goes unpunished"