Fires and Destruction

Can't help but note the traumatic situation in Los Angeles following the horrendous fires that have been raging in the area.

Fire is such a frightening event and to have such a huge area decimated in what seems such a little time period ,is hard to compute.

The result of the floods and fire sees the same heart wrenching loss of items that cannot be replaced. It is hard realising  precious photos covering decades of travel and events can be lost in a flash.

There is no answer. They are gone never to be replaced. That was one of the things that hit home to me after the flood.

The most precious things are those things you cannot replace. You can buy a new fridge or couch but you can't replace a time captured in print .

I feel for those in LA .   

Is this the right Question?

The NZ Herald has a headline this morning

Summer reads.  Earthquakes, eruptions, floods -what science learned about natural disasters in 2024.

These natural events happen all the time. Scientists know what they are and have pondered these events forever.

There will always be different interpretations about the whys and wherefores when it comes to natural events .That is a given. Are they a disaster  ? Well given the possibility of a large magnitude event then , yes they can be a disaster.

Maybe the question is what have politicians and the public learned about natural disasters?

We do not appear to have thinking politicians any longer. They do not exist.

 Disasters get in the way. They cost money  and disrupt normal life. Throw money at the problem (as little as possible) and hope people move on .

It could be beneficial for politicians to engage with a range of scientists to follow up on extreme events and discuss any changes that can be made to better respond to these events and identify flaws in the system. I say a range of scientists as it is not good enough to only consult with Government funded advisors .

It could also be useful to discuss events with people who have years of experience living in areas hit by 

disasters and add their valued knowledge   to the scientists in formulating future responses.

A blend of ideas offers a better base to work from.

New Year

Note I didn't say "Happy" New Year.

It is hard to be happy about a coming year when there are so many issues ahead and so many problems in the world.

Are we on the brink of a major change for good or not? A new administration in The USA may promise a better future but there are many who wish to throw a spanner in the works.

It is interesting that 10 year bond rates are not behaving as predicted months ago and there is  a conflict developing between inflation and central banks normal control of the situation. Increased interest rates are not controlling inflation and stress amongst the masses that hold debt is going to increase not decrease.

There are many  mortgage holders that are going to face increases in payments as they come off interest rates in the vicinity of 4% only to be confronted with a jump to around 7%.

The galling fact about this situation is that it was created by the Reserve Banks .They handed out money at low rates during the manufactured crisis , captured the borrowing sector in a greed frenzy and now they are crushing the very same people.

No accountability.

Is the system in need of a change?

It appears we in the West,  are heading for a very trying time.

Those of us that were hammered by weather events on top of the covid capture are a mere pest in the system and it's good luck if you make it through.

My experience in re fixing my mortgage is being stored for future reference.

         

 Merry Christmas

A time to reflect .

A time to connect.

A time to reminisce .

A time to share.

A time to indulge.

Really ? A time to indulge ? Get away .It's a time to be enjoyed in many ways but I have a special thought for all those who are alone or having a tough time.

Life is not all beer and skittles and the frantic fervor and commercial claptrap that pervades will at least subside now for another year.

Special thoughts to those in North Carolina that suffered from Helene and are now in to snow and cold .

Good people will look after you .Be strong and comfort each other. It will be a long haul.

Moments in time lock affected people in and the system has no way of catering for the reality of life. The system is all about  fitting in. If a disaster happens it doesn't fit. I mean how unreasonable for nature to stamp its mark on lives.

My special friend came a couple of days ago posing questions and offering solutions .So many questions that are devoid of answers and questions that are left hanging,  looking for wise counsel.

Christmas means different things to different people and I admire those who have faith in the word and hope for the future.

To all those who have helped me through the last two years I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are all there within, exuding vibes of strength and a continuing flow of positiveness.

Take good care one and all.

"Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of strength"

Aristotle

   

Hectic

Must be the time of the year.

A bit like Piccadilly Circus lately. People coming and going and trying to get things done before Christmas.

Painter busy finishing off bits and pieces and doing some additional work I wasn't expecting.

A procession of wonderful people dropping in and checking things out and passing on good tidings and even some presents!

So grateful for the continuing support and incredible warmth.

I have been only too happy to help out some Czech visitors who have had a bit of bad luck since arriving in NZ.

Seemed natural to offer them a place to park up and catch their breath while they sorted out some issues.

Spent a wonderful evening under the full moon relating travel experiences. 

 A and B moved on today and have reached the next stop ready to settle in for Christmas.

A big plus this year has been a surfeit of fruit enabling me to give away heaps to my many helpers and friends.

So many busy days in the last few weeks and some challenging hiccups to deal with.

I need to catch my breath as well. 

 

Councilism

I have stolen the term from some other battlers.

Westport is in the throws of being thrust in to a David and Goliath struggle like so many communities these days.

The bodies we fund through rates have all the power .Taking them on is a major task. I have been there.

These authorities also live in  a world of their own. They always believe they are right and the silly people that question them are pests that need to be quashed. Dam ratepayers.How annoyimg.

Well the idea is that Westport is to be re established .The Westport retreat. 

Climate change of course.

Maybe this is a test case. If they (who is they) can put up thousands of pages in reports that basically say you will move or else then a big win here would see other settlements attacked in the same way.

The sea is going to rise and swallow up the houses .Move before it happens .The history   and facts don't matter. 

I applaud the team that are taking on the Council and love the term 'Councilism' used to describe what they are up against.

Everything is upside down these days.

The Local Authorities in this country are no longer doing the job they were supposed to do.

Central Government may well be behind this planned retreat as part of the Global scam of Climate Change. 

They wrecked our community in twelve months .No resistance ,no fight after a major disaster so I wish the SaveBuller team all the best in their fight ahead.

 

 Bye to A Mate.

After being displaced following the flood I was lucky enough to find accommodation at a friends house. Although it had also been flooded  it was minor compared to many and although missing some gib lining and bare flooring it still had power and facilities.

The deal was that I could stay there until it was repaired and I had the pleasure of sharing the house with the family dog and two cats. 

Like most pets they were real characters and soon became used to me slotting in to the room and collapsing in a heap most nights after a hard days yakka working on my place.

My friends slept on the bed with me and I became used to letting the dog out at all hours when he wanted a pit stop and then sorting cat and dog breakfast in the morning.

Many will know what it is like to have a dog push you to the side of the bed or manoeuvre in close on cold nights to steal some of your warmth.

There were the customary snorts and whines and even a crash off the bed but all in all it was good to have company at such a difficult time.

In recent times when visiting my friends my Lab mate could hear me or smell me and made a fuss seeing me again.

We do get attached to our domestic friends.

I saw my mate a few weeks ago and he was in a bad way .The experts were not sure what was up but he couldn't move and was uncomfortable.

A few days ago he passed a way at home with the family around.

I was so pleased I had seen him before he left this world.

I will never forget the cold winter nights with his nose up close and his tough body hard against mine.

Au revoir Z.