Changing times and places and people.


These things seem to dominate our life to a large extent and we have little control over them. And don't always leave pleasant effects or thoughts.

Yesterday after working in the morning, I arrived home cold, wet, grubby and grumpy. I pressed the door remote thingy . . . and again, and again and again - and nothing happened. I new spat my toy out the window in frustration. But while answering a friends text, the neighbours daughter came over and asked "do you have electricity ? We haven't had any for like two hours." Ohh hell. Nope - no light on the door bell. This is not good

So I put my key in the front door and ohh darn ! The key on the inside meant I was locked out ! No hot shower, no dry and warm and clean clothes, no hot drink, no lunch, no computer and no email . . . ok - I'm freaking out now !

Fortunately, the back door was accessible . . . but it begs the rhetorical question . . . Are we too reliant on electricity ? The simple answer is yes ! The complicated answer is probably yes !

I would be lost without electricity now. I still like reading books, but my choice is limited - and my library is thin. And anyhow, my computer is my hobby, my life. My three are my dependants . . . my children. And I yell at them, beg them, admire them (and the people who wrote the programs - sometimes) and the things they can do for me, and I wonder at the images and blogs (like this one) that people post on them.

I spent hours looking after and constantly modifying websites (oneiguy.com ashhurst.org & parishofpohangina.net) that I am seemingly never happy with how the look and feel . . .

So if and when the power goes off, I'm almost lost . . without a clue. Is this the way most NZ'ers feel ? Are we really set up to handle a long period of "off". How would we cope with the likes of people in South East Missouri recently - without power for weeks, with snow and ice and bitter cold . . . the thought of days without power leaves me wobbly like a good Kiwi Jelly . . . . .

But there are good things . . . things that keep you firmly planted on the ground. This morning at our Parish Camp in Pohanginas' Totora Reserve, some of the children brought a Weta inside . . and the poor wee things was beginning to "stress out" a bit . . so he was carefully encouraged onto my hand and after a few moments he (or she) settled down and sat quietly enough for him (or her) to be shown off to the group. Some people handled it well, others admired him - from a distance, others were not so sure.

Personally, I think he (or she) is beautiful - perfectly designed for his (or her) environment . . . as we should be. Reliant on just those things the surround us that are certain . . . the sky, wind, rain, friends, food. The rest are luxuries, meant to enhance rather that dominate . . .

Maybe I should listen to what I say . . . and learn to live that way too . . . not soo easy, but one day maybe, it might be necessity . . . not sure how I would cope . . .

Would you cope ?



Keep the faith ! It's a good thing to have !