Thursday, February 24, 2011

Home Again - Home Again - Jig Jiggedy Jig

I'm back in the land of cold. Plain and simple.

Today the temp outside is -28C with a windchill factor of -36C. For those of you who don't 'do' Celsius those temps are -18.4F and -32.8F.

This is actually rather balmy compared to the temps we've been having this last week. Think -40C and wonder if there is really any possible reason that would drag you out your front door to spend time frozen to the sidewalk. Nothing? Right. Same here.

We've actually been home a week - in fact a week later than we had originally planned. That huge weather condition that wiped out half of the United States also hit us and we kept trying to get away from it only to have it slap us in the face yet again. The normal 5 day trip took us 13 days. When we finally walked through the front door we couldn't believe that we had actually made it - and safe and sound at that.

At present I am putting the recounting of our trip aside as my thoughts are focused on New Zealand and the horrific news that is coming out of ChristChurch. I have 2 friends in New Zealand - Michelle who writes the blog Mickle's Pickle and lives in Wellington on the North Island and who has let us all know she is safe. And the second is one of our rafting guides who is traveling around New Zealand and was in Queenstown when the quake struck. He let me know he was also safe and informed me he was heading to ChristChurch to try and help out. Didn't surprise me in the least.
I must add here that I have another friend who actually lives in ChristChurch. For some reason - okay let's call it menopause and opium - I completely forgot that Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers lives right in the area we are all focused on. She is safe as well!

Reading the news of Libya and the rest of the world has me wondering what is going on in this world of ours. My mind is churning over our experience in the US where as outsiders we watched a country being torn apart. I must think more on this before I write a post about it.

The biggest question I have at the moment about life on this planet that is ripping itself apart is this:
Why does news of Justin Bieber getting his hair cut warrant a place on the front page??

11 comments:

ADDY said...

Welcome home aims. I wondered how you were doing.Yes, the world has gone crazy.The Middle East is a boiling pot at the moment. Wonder where it'll all end. And the news from New Zealand is heart-breaking to watch, made all the worse, as they are English-speaking and therefore just like us. I expect you have a lot to do after being away from home so long. Look forward to hearing about your adventures.

Bernie said...

I don't know why but this post didn't show up on my reader.
I am glad you are home, missed you.
I also thought about you guys during that huge snowstorm, we have had a very bitter and cold winter here.....I am so ready for Spring.
I agree with you about the world and I too am concerned about what is happening in the States. It has become so divided and almost self destructing, it is scary.
I am praying for all the people Christchurch, those poor people must be so frightened.....:-)Hugs

Akelamalu said...

The world seems to be going crazy at the moment in every way. Glad you're home safe and sound.

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Three people Aims .... Blogging from Christchurch myself. Yes scary and stressful. Come over and read more.Fi

Living the Dream said...

So good to have you back, I've missed you. Look forward to hearing about your adventures.

True, very sad news in the world at the moment and most of us are so very helpless.

Irene said...

Welcome home Aims. Too bad it's so very cold. Stay warm inside.

The people in Tunisia and Egypt and Libya are very brave. I wish them all the best.

All my best wishes go to the people in New Zealand.

Maggie May said...

Good to have you home. It seems a long time since we had contact.
You have really faced the cold!

The world has had quite a few problems and Goodness only knows where it will all end.
The North African States suddenly dismantling and then the earthquake in NZ. It seems to be nonstop bad news for everyone.

Was so glad that Mickle (and her relatives) are safe in NZ.

The people in Libya are on the way to a democratic leadership but at what price? What other countries are going to do the same thing? Where will we all fit into the scheme of things?
Quite a bit to chew on.

Looking forward to hearing of your escapades!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

abb said...

In the age of Bieber, Kardashians and Mylie's, we Americans have really really lost sight of what is really important. That the Kardashians, without any visible talents, unlike Bieber and Mylie who can at least sing, can make millions and grace the front pages of magazines and newspapers, is totally beyond me. Do even get me started on all the Jersey Shores, Beverly Hills, Basketball Housewives shows. It's embarrassing! Good to see you're safely home!

abb said...

That should be DON'T even...

Rachel Green said...

Welcome back, dear lady :)

Houseelf said...

Welcome home Aimee. I had a couple of friends in Christchurch. Hubby woke me with the news. Not being a morning person I thought he was joking, then I hit the net. The tales of courage and grit coming out of NZ are inspirational. Deb from Angel and Pukeko had a team of people come just to shovel the liquid clay out of her garden. A bride went through with her wedding just days after her fiance pulled her out of the rubble. It's tales like this which give me hope for humankind in the midst of all the troubles elsewhere.