Baron Bliss Day

Tomorrow, March 9, is Baron Bliss Day in Belize. The day was commemorated today with national offices, banks and schools closed. Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss left England in the early 1900s with the intention of living on the sea on his yacht, Sea King. He contracted polio about the time he left England. He made stops in the Bahamas, Trinidad and Jamaica before sailing into the harbor at Belize City. While he never actually came ashore because of the polio and the food poisoning he got in Trinidad, Bliss was very impressed by the climate and the hospitality of Belize. He died on March 9, 1926, leaving almost $2 million dollars to Belize in a trust fund. The fund is used for the benefit of Belizeans and has made possible the building of the Bliss Institute Library and Museum in Belize City, health clinics and markets around the country, and has helped with the Belize City water supply system. There is also the Baron Bliss Lighthouse in Belize City which is also his tomb. The Baron is considered Belize's greatest benefactor.

The weekend was quiet. I spent some time at the pool, visited with some of the neighbors and had dinner last night with another neighbor. The team of Duke students arrived Saturday afternoon. I met them at the water taxi, walked them down to Ruby's and later walked to Holy Cross with them. They started work today even though school wasn't in session. Vernon gave them the orientation and grand tour. I walked into San Mateo with them. I saw several of the kids from school so now I know where they live. The students painted and worked on the porch off the kitchen. Tomorrow we hope to get moving on finishing the vision screenings started by the St. Luke's volunteers.

Today is Ruthie's 2nd birthday. Happy Birthay, Sweetie. Wow, how time flies. I was sad to miss the family dinner yesterday, but will be there for her joint party with Ellie later in the month. I called today to wish her happy birthday. She still won't talk when we're on the phone, but she kissed the phone and smiled when she heard my voice. That's enough for me! I'm really looking forward to seeing her and the rest of my family in a couple of weeks. I'm glad I planned this little break while the school is closed for Easter.