Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

Last week, our area was struck by a massive storm. Winds of up to 135 km per hour and driving rain, more than a monthly average overnight. Most our neighbourhood and many others were without electricity and phone coverage for four or five days, with some areas hoping to have power restored today after ten days. In other places, there was flooding and some towns have been isolated with some roads still impassable.  Today our local newspaper  The Newcastle Herald  published a special tribute to the "storm troopers" - emergency services  and volunteers who are still working day and night to try to put communities back together. I know that this localised disaster seems insignificant next to the earthquake in Nepal, but here are the numbers which make it real for those who are suffering in our own community.  These are some of the storm statistics as published: - 7 fatalities - 90 rescues - 250,000 calls to Ausgrid (electricity) - 5200 calls to Sate Emergency ...

With the news of the unfolding and escalating disaster in Japan dominating the media, our thoughts are with  our friends, especially our previous exchange daughters and their families in Japan. Thankfully they are all safe, but we can't help feeling sad for the magnitude of loss of life and environmental destruction. This morning, I looked around our home and found all kinds of  little reminders of happy times we have had with them. Most are beautiful gifts the girls or their families have given us or made themselves ... a thousand cranes, paper cuts, dolls and fabrics. I even found small gifts from my host families when I was in Japan over 40 years ago, and a little handbag I made a few years ago and this reminds me so much of our girls. We are thinking postive thoughts for you all. Not to forget a small but very special event this week - Happy 3rd  Birthday William. May you always be protected from disaster.