Red Eye Tree Frog
Red Eye Tree Frog - Agalychnis callidryas Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agalychnis_callidryas This the first and only (juvenile) Red Eye tree frog that I have ever found on my farm...
Shifting Tides The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the grand tapestry of life, challenges are inevitable; they come in various shapes and sizes, demanding our attention and resilience. Yet, the...
Belize Part 26 (May 17 to 21)
May 17 Life in the jungle: Because of how I felt last night before bed I didn't set my alarm. While I don't feel sick my allergies are really bad and it feels like I have a cold when I sneeze but I...
The Power of Decisions: What Outcomes to Hope for When You Finally Decide
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom Life is a series of choices, and at every juncture, we are faced with decisions. From the seemingly trivial ones like what to have for breakfast to...
Happiness
At some point in early 2016 I thought about the word “happiness”. Happiness has never really been part of my vocabulary. It was a word that makes me feel rather uncomfortable. I don’t want to say...
Alone
Always alone Always have been alone In a crowd, I am even more alone Will always be alone Die alone Written December 10, 2022 I don't trust you I still feel empty
Belize Part 25 (May 7 to 16)
May 7 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in coconut field. It was a very hot morning and even a hotter day with no breeze. I then took a walk out to the ponds. I haven't been there...
Belize Part 24 (April 30 to May 6)
April 30 Life in the jungle: Because of my late-night last night I turned off my alarm. Nery called and woke me up at 6:45 AM this morning from my driveway. Usually, he showed up closer to 9 AM on...
23 Days with no power
In 2010 Hurricane Richard a Category 1 hurricane hit on October 25th. There was tremendous yard damage due to fallen trees. I was without power for one week. Truthfully all I remember is that it...
Stop It Already: Why Cowards Hide Behind Rules and How to Rise Above
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the complex landscape of human interactions and decision-making, some individuals resort to hiding behind rules as a shield for their insecurities...
Don’t remind me of what can never be
I don't want to feel your skin I don't want to taste your lips I don't want you inside my head Better to live with the emptiness Better for the heart to ache Better to just go away We both know I...
Mastering Discipline: Why the Price of Regret Far Exceeds the Price of Discipline
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the pursuit of our goals and dreams, the choices we make play a pivotal role in shaping our future. When it comes to discipline versus regret, the...
Belize Part 23 (April 24 to 29)
April 24 Life in the jungle: I had a dream last night and a girl from my teenage social circle made a very brief appearance. That inspired a quick morning poem called l should have told you. From...
One Full Year in Belize and 2022 in Review
I crossed into Belize on November 23rd, 2021 and I arrived at my home on November 25th, 2021 after spending just over two years biking just over 26,000 km’s to get here. The original plan was to...
Future-Proofing Your Brand: A Decade-Long Strategy for Success
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology, forward-thinking entrepreneurs understand the importance of not just planning for the...
Belize Part 22 (April 13 to 23)
April 13 Life in the jungle: I started my morning with some housework in preparation for a fire and health department inspection for my tourist license Airbnb listing. After breakfast, I weed...
An internet connection story
On June 2, 2023, I finally got my own internet connection. This was one of my biggest priorities upon arriving at my home on November 25, 2022. The experience to get internet to my house was...
Scars
There is my childhood one from when my forehead made contact with a door knob during a pillow fight There is the one on my stomach when I ran from killer bees and tripped and landed on a tree stump...
Belize Part 21 (April 5 to 12)
April 5 Life in the jungle: Victor left this morning on his way to the bottom of Argentina. It was strange watching him push his bike through my gate. [Victor was a Warm Showers bike touring guest...
Awake my heart. Awake my soul.
I think about things deeply. Far more deeply than I care to or want to. This forces me to bury most of my life so that I hopefully forget. And usually, it works. I forget, but the soul never...
Belize Part 20 (March 29 to April 4)
March 29 Life in the jungle: It rained last night and through the night and into the morning. The road is a mud bath. This rain has really screwed my immediate working plans. I swear between all...
Turning 50
On May 18th I turned 50. I guess that only happens once in a lifetime (along with every birthday). Some days I feel like I am 20, some days I feel like I am 50 and some days I feel like I am 80. ...
Belize Part 19 (March 21 to 28)
March 21 Life in the jungle: Last night, half asleep coming down from my bedroom loft to use the washroom I decided to step off the ladder a few steps too early. Within a second, I fell and was on...
Tubroos Tree
Tubroos or Guanacaste tree - Enterolobium cyclocarpum Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterolobium_cyclocarpum The Tubroos tree is one of my favorite trees. I have two very large ones...
Catasetum integerrimum – orchid
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catasetum_integerrimum Not exactly the prettiest orchid but it has unusual flowers. One of the more common orchids around the farm. Click on image to...
Yellow Tree Frog
Yellow Tree Frog - Hyla microcephala Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendropsophus_microcephalus A common tree frog found around the house and sometimes inside the house. Click on...
Tailless Whip Scorpion
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amblypygi Very common under my house. Completely 100% harmless. Click on images to enlarge More Belizean...
Green-headed Tree Snake
Green-headed Tree Snake or Mexican Green Tree Snake Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptophis_mexicanus A reasonably common snake around the farm though sometimes hard to find likely...
Mexican Burrowing Toad
Mexican Burrowing Toad - Rhinophrynus dorsalis Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_burrowing_toad These toads live most of their lives underground and basically can only be seen...
The Forgotten Middle: Why You Don’t Get Remembered and How to Change That
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the hustle and bustle of life, the middle ground often goes unnoticed. Whether in personal achievements or professional endeavors, being in the...
Cane Toad
Cane toad - Rhinella marina Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_toad A common toad around the house. Native to Belize this toad has been introduced all over the world with...
The Power of a Smile: The Importance of Remembering to Smile
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to forget the simple yet profound act of smiling. Beyond being a mere expression of joy, a smile...
The Power of Exceeding Expectations: Why It’s Always Better to Over-Provide Than Under-Provide
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world driven by expectations, the choice between over-providing and under-providing is a critical one, with far-reaching implications. This post...
Checking In – April 30, 2023
2022 was a really tough year for me. It would be my first full year living in Belize after taking two years to bike here from Canada. Arriving here in Belize I would end up facing challenges that...
White Lipped Mud Turtle
White Lipped mud turtle - Kinosternon leucostomum Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-lipped_mud_turtle I have ever only found 2 White Lipped mud turtles in all of my time in...
Central American Bark Scorpion
Central American Bark Scorpion - Centruroides gracilis Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centruroides_gracilis These guys are fairly common underneath my house and I typically find one...
Mexican Masked Tree Frog
Mexican Masked Tree Frog - Smilisca baudinii Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_burrowing_tree_frog Mexican Masked tree frogs are easily the most common tree frog I find around...
Breadfruit Tree
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadfruit I have a breadfruit tree in my front yard. The tree bark is quite beautiful. The "fruit" tastes like french fries when fried in the frying...
Pepper Tree Frog
Also known as the Pepper Tree Frog - Phrynopyas venulosa Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_tree_frog Probably the second most common tree frog found around the house. When...
Speckled Racer Snake
Speckled Racer - Drymobius margaritiferus Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drymobius_margaritiferus Speckled Racer snakes are actually fairly common but generally difficult to catch,...
Gulf Coast Toad
Gulf Coast Toad - Bufo valliceps Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Coast_toad A very common toad around the farm Click on image to enlarge More...
What would my older self say to me today
When I first heard about this exercise, I thought that there might be some important insight I could glean from “my older self”. But when I took a moment to consider the answer. To consider where...
Gaudy Sphinx Caterpillar
Gaudy Sphinx caterpillar - Eumorpha labruscae Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eumorpha_labruscae Click on image to enlarge. Photo of the moth is a random of the internet. [gallery...
A new dream. A new goal
Bear with me as I fumble through this new dream and goal of mine. Most people when they look at their bed, they see a bed. I actually don’t sleep in a bed. I sleep in a hammock. But that is...
When it all made sense
When it all made sense is sort of a goofy title for this blog post because in many ways I don’t know if my life has made any sense to me. Every day of my public school and high school life I was...
Red Earth Centipede Snake
Red Earth Centipede Snake - Tantillita schistosa Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantilla I never heard of this type of snake until I found this one. Click on image to enlarge...
Trapped
This morning was a rough morning. I attempted to write out what going on inside my head. I am paralyzed by indecision not so much by fear but from lack of purpose, passion and conviction. There is...
When you look upon my heart
Do you see what I see. I look at you. You look at me How does it feel to see the pieces slip between my fingers To see all those memories slowly sink into the depths below I wanted life I got pain...
Lo Moth or Peacock Caterpillar
Lo Moth - Automeris io Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automeris_io All I know about this species is that is the stinging spines have a very painful venom. Thankfully I don't speak...
No Excuses
I don’t know what this post is going to look like. I am going to “follow the wild goose” which is a term I heard about a long time ago referring to a term the ancient Celts had for the Holy...
Click Beetle
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Click_beetle A fairly common beetle on the farm. Locally known as cookeye, dry weather cricket or pine wally. Other Belizean Creatures Mexican...
Life
It's the thought of interacting and meeting the hundreds of people that for one reason or another will cross my path in my remaining time on this planet that will ultimately reveal their true colors...
Opsiphanes tamarindi Caterpillar
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opsiphanes I only have ever seen this caterpillar once that I know of. More Belizean Creatures Green-headed Tree Snake Pepper Tree Frog
Boa Constrictor
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boa_constrictor On previous trips to Belize I rarely came across Boa Constrictors. I now find them quite regularly. I suggest coming back to this page...
I don’t care anymore
I know, an extreme statement and what don’t I care about anymore? What I don’t care about anymore is my life here in Belize. I know that sounds very extreme given everything I have worked for. ...
Belize Part 18 (March 13 to 20)
March 13 Life in the jungle: Considering how hot yesterday morning was I didn't not see this morning’s weather coming. This morning was cool and overcast. I started the morning chopping in the...
Some days I feel so old (and really lazy)
When I look in the mirror I can't tell if I am old. I don't look old. Anyone would tell you that I look very young for my age. Some days I feel like I am in my 20's. But most nights when I go to...
Better Questions and Reflections to Live By – Part 17
Better questions and reflections to live by - Part 17 Over the years in truck I got into listening to podcasts. First a few a week and then depending on the day sometimes listening to podcasts 6-7...
Belize Part 17 (March 5 to 12)
March 5 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopped the river lot behind my house. Then I went to the hardware store for a final load of 1x4 lumber for the cabbage wood project. I discovered...
Ambition
The standard pace is for chumps I have huge challenges ahead of me which will make my life interesting for sure. But I have no expression of ambition in my life and it's crippling me. Beyond...
I should have told you
Last night I dreamt about you You were still as pretty as all those years ago I should have told you long ago Your long dark hair Your quirky personality Your pretty smile I will never forget your...
Belize Part 16 (Feb 19 to March 4)
February 19 Life in the jungle: I slept in until 7 am. I spent a few hours working at the ponds. After breakfast I weed wacked some areas around the house that were getting overdue. I came across...
Belize Part 15 (Feb 12 to 18)
February 12 Life in the jungle: On my way to chopping at the ponds I saw my first deer in Belize and then I saw an agouti. I spent a good part of my afternoon with my chainsaw. I cut down pretty...
26,000 km’s later and I am still me
26,000 km's through a Canadian winter, through Covid-19 across Canada, down the USA and across Mexico still during Covid-19 and I am still me. I figured if I bike toured through a Canadian winter a...
Belize Part 14 (Feb 4 to 11)
February 4 Life in the jungle: After doing a laundry first thing Heath and I biked 20 km's to Rancho Delores to visit the farm Nery has worked at for the last 20 years. They grow like 9 types of...
Belize Part 13 (Jan 26 to Feb 3)
January 26 Life in the jungle: With Nery coming this afternoon to look at my fencing project my priority was cleaning my last fence line on my home property that runs along the road. I got a good...
The elephant in my room
A while back, I believe sometime in 2016 I realized that I was not a very happy person and that I was a very lonely person. And for the first time I actually questioned that and asked myself if...
Belize Part 12 (Jan 21 to 25)
January 21 Life in the jungle: I started my morning continuing and hoping to finish digging my waterline trench. I did get a pleasant surprise when I dug up a Mexican Burrowing Narrow-mouthed toad....
Belize Part 11 (Jan 15 to 20)
January 15 Life in the jungle: I was pretty productive most of the day. I went into the bush and checked and found along my one property line for on old PVC pipe waterline and an electric wire that...
Belize Part 10 (Jan 9 to 14)
January 9 Life in the jungle: Because of how rough our road is getting, Derrick had to walk down our road. Derrick came to install the plycem (plywood/cement mix wall boards) on my basement storage...
I don’t trust anyone
I was bullied almost everyday of my life from grade 1 to grade 12. I was even bullied when I was 37 years old (but that's another story). I am not entirely sure if there is a connection between...
Empty words on a piece of paper
All those emotions stirring my heart Bursting at the seems Needing a place of their own Words coming together in beautiful transformation Cause my heart to sing for joy Expressing my deepest love...
I am so alone that I can’t make sense of anything
And I suspect that writing is my outlet and my perspective. This statement of being alone is not an emotional statement about loneliness but more of a statement of fact. Since arriving in Belize I...
A new category of blog post – My Life
My aunt tried calling me a few days before my birthday but I was unable to take the call at that moment. I know one of her first questions would be how is it going. For most people I interact with...
Unveiling the Unexplored: Why, When Considering All Your Options, Remember You Haven’t
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom Life is a series of choices, and decision-making is an ongoing process. Just when you think you've carefully considered all your options, it's...
Yucatan Banded Gecko
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucat%C3%A1n_banded_gecko I have only ever seen one of these under my house in my tool room. I suspect that they are not that rare but hard to find. I...
Golden Shower Tree
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia_fistula I first seen this tree all over Belmopan Click on image to enlarge More...
Alope Sphinx Caterpillar
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erinnyis_alope Click on image to enlarge More Belizean Creatures Yucatan Banded Gecko Boa...
House Gecko
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_house_gecko An evasive species, they are found everywhere around my house and everyone's house. More Belizean Creatures Boa Constrictor Golden...
Cashew Tree
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashew I have one cashew tree in my front yard that produces cashews. In 2022 I planted about 25 baby seedlings from that years harvest. I like the...
Unlocking a Source of Happiness: Why a Satisfied Life Trumps Success
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world where success is often defined by external metrics and societal expectations, it's crucial to pause and reflect on what truly brings...
Unlocking a Path: Embracing Spock’s Wisdom on ‘Your First Best Destiny
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the vast universe of life choices and personal fulfillment, Spock's quote, "Your first best destiny. Anything else is a waste," encapsulates a...
Belize Part 9 (Jan 3 to 8)
January 3 Life in the jungle: Last night Derrick said he was planning to come down and help replace 4 rotted/termite infested pieces plywood in my crawl space with plycem. Good call on Jack for...
Belize Part 8 (Dec 30 to Jan 2)
December 30 Life in the jungle: I went to the city this morning. It was a hectic day and I did not escape my daily portion of grief. First stop to the bank, and then to DigiCell. This is my third...
Belize Part 7 (Dec 26 to 29)
December 26 Life in the jungle: I am still sick. This sucks, I can’t even remember the last time I was sick longer than a day. I have too much to do and no energy. I had some noodle soup for...
Belize Part 6 (Dec 20 to 25)
December 20 Life in the jungle: I slept in and then spent the morning finishing my housework and packing some supplies to exit the house until the 24th for some Airbnb guests from Holland that...
Belize Part 5 (Dec 10 to 19)
December 10 Life in the jungle: I went to bed late last night but I am now setting my alarm for 5:30 am. I have too much work to do and am only too eager to get the day started. I started my...
So whats going on in Belize?
So it's been almost 3 months since I arrived at my home in Belize after a little bit more than 2 years of biking across Canada and down through the USA and Mexico. More or less only accomplishing...
Belize Part 4 (Dec 5 to 9)
December 5 Life in the jungle: This morning I got 100% of my coconut field cleaned except for a few small/medium trees that I need a chainsaw for. The next job is to start cleaning the far [new]...
The Power of Simplicity: Unveiling the Profound Importance of Keeping It Simple
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world marked by constant complexity and information overload, the value of simplicity cannot be overstated. Whether in communication, design, or...
Belize Part 3 (Dec 1 to 4)
December 1 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping the coconut field as usual. I got a lot of trees de-vined. I seen the black tail of large snake in some vegetation. At first, I...
Belize Part 2 (Nov 27 to 30)
On November 25th I arrived home after biking for over 2 years on the road to get here. November 27 Life in the jungle: Perfect weather today. I got an early start and started de-vining my coconut...
Belize Part 1 (Nov 23 to 26)
I have just spent the last 8 days at a hostel in Chetumal and am prepared to leave and enter Belize. November 23 Destination - Buena Vista Km’s pedalled - 55 km’s (14 km’s Mexico/ 41 km’s Belize)...
Unleashing Greatness: The Art of Doing Epic Shit and How It Transforms Your Life
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world filled with routines and the ordinary, there's a call to break free from the mundane and embark on a journey of doing epic shit. This post...
Dead Leaf Praying Mantis
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthops_falcata I have only ever seen one of these. It was super tiny small and very difficult to get good photos of. Click on image to enlarge...
Better Questions and Reflections to Live By – Part 16
Better questions and reflections to live by - Part 16 Over the years in truck I got into listening to podcasts. First a few a week and then depending on the day sometimes listening to podcasts 6-7...
Verna Mae Lodge
My most favorite Belizean. Verna Mae was waiting for me when I arrived at my village of Scotland Halfmoon. This would be my celebration of biking over 26,000 km's over the last 2 years.
Alexander Bul & his uncle
Alexander from Buena Vista came up to me and just started talking to me while I was fixing a flat tire. He let me camp in his uncles yard. The next day he showed me around his families farm.
Chetumal Mexico (Nov 16 to 22)
I arrived and completed my Mexican bike route (6,200 km’s) in Chetumal on November 15 November 16 Some Notes - I was in front of my computer all day. All my latest photos are organized and edited. ...