The Awe and Sorrow of Immense Storms

It's funny how we all seem to love the ocean. Salt water. Once it gets in your veins, you are never the same. We all live here on the seacoast because of it's inner magnetic pull. We love watching waves. Big and small. Makes no difference. Watching the surf can be mesmerizing. And for some of us lucky few, we love riding them. Surfing these living liquid forms of immense energy. How lucky are we?

We love the ocean and it's magical powers.

Then, the seemingly never ending ocean storms, come marching up the coast, and the world seems to grind to a halt. These big winter storms that now have names attached to them become bigger than life. And to some extent they are. Especially to those who live on the coast.

We all have friends who live directly in the path of Mother Ocean. And we cringe when these ocean storms flex their mighty might and cause utter and complete chaos in our ocean communities. And these storms seem to come more frequent than they have in the past. And they seem bigger.

And far more reaching than ever before. I don't know, maybe there is some kind of massive shift in the earth's core. All I know is the 100 year storms seem to come more frequent. Like several each winter. Which really shoots a hole in that theory.

I saw the homes on Plum Island that were destroyed by this beast of a storm. We look at the footage on TV, and listen to the reporters who stand out there in the rain, sleet, and snow to bring us the minute by minute updates of someone's dream home slipping into the ocean.

We can't turn away. Why is that? Why is that part of human nature? To sit in the safety of our homes and watch others suffer. And I am not one of those who cast judgment on the choices these individuals make by purchasing or building homes in the Atlantic's front yard.

I would love to have an ocean front home. But I would not want the ocean in my living room or bedroom.

During this storm there were several fires on the seacoast as well. Nature knows no boundaries. Fire and water. Both essential to our survival, yet they can also take away from us. Destroy people's lives. The yin and yang of living here on the seacoast.

So if you are one of those who have suffered and lost during this last storm whether it was water damage or by fire be strong. Tomorrow is going to be a better day.

We are getting closer to the benefit for Rick Sav. Keep in mind if anyone wants to donate can do so by mailing checks to Rick's sister Barbara. Just click here to see where and how. Rick's family and his friends are truly humbled by the response to his plight. If you want to help it would be greatly appreciated.

Click on the poster above to see a larger version. And we hope that as a community we can make a difference in another friend, surfer, brother's life. Hope to See you all on the 23rd of March.

[Photo 2] This is a print by Lenny Nichols that he will be raffling off at Rick's Benefit at the Legion on Saturday March 23, 2013.
Title "Kai says", Dad, there's gotta be big bass in there"! The night will also feature a handful of local musicians and artists. There will be food and drink and we are asking everyone who attends to make a donation. Whatever you can afford will be greatly appreciated by Rick's family and friends. Thank you.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

OK so while the Gun Control issue has been on the back burner as of late, I did find this image that I thought might or might not be appropriate. What do you think? Too far?

I do think this image depicts good gun control.


And so now we have a new diplomat who has bordered on the edge of the absurd for decades. Ladies and gentlemen can we give it up for our latest celebrity ambassador Mr Dennis Rodman! OK so Dennis and his superior intellect has visited with, and now become friends with Kim Jong from North Korea. Kim is the son of the late lunatic dictator Kim Yong Ill who passed away last year leaving junior in control of the poor people of North Korea.