At last an ad about caring about animals that does not seem to try to elicit a response born of guilt.  So much of” care for animals” advertising includes words like “abandoned” and “cruel” and offers me a cuddly toy if I give.
I admit I am a bit of a cynic when it comes to many organizations that promote care for animals.  Naturally I imagine some are well meaning while others seem intent on promoting their agenda.
Caring for the environment is ultimately a “must do” thing but it is born of a “want to” thing.  Care to me not only includes cute cuddly animals but people too.  It is a balancing act and important for all.  Harmony does not mean “mono-culture” but “diversity” that sees both human and animal protected and prospering.
So I was really interested to see the latest ad from the Humane World for Animals (formally Humane Society).  It features a song by Peter Gabriel formerly of Genesis called “Solsbury Hill.”
To me it is no wonder they chose the song they did to promote their cause.  The song is very auto-biographical and represents a change in outlook for Peter.  The website https://lyricstories.com/song-meanings/solsbury-hill-lyrics-meaning says “At its core, “Solsbury Hill” is about a life-changing moment that forces someone to leave behind what’s familiar. The lyrics describe a realization so powerful that it can’t be ignored, even if it means stepping into the unknown.  Whether about Peter Gabriel’s departure from Genesis or something more universal, the song captures the struggle of making a big decision. It’s about trusting yourself, breaking free from expectations, and embracing a new path—even when it’s scary.”
Apart from what I have indicated above I share care but as noble as the sentiment may be, it is inadequate.  To me it is like changing the ladder only to find the new one is not fit for purpose.
To me for a start it requires the infinite break through into the finite.  I say for a start as it is my belief that not all infinite has my best intentions at heart.  But that is a whole other thing.   What is think is summarized in the words I find beautiful: When illusion spin her net / I'm never where I wanna be / And liberty, she pirouette / When I think that I am free
What I am seeing at the moment is a desperate attempt to put the world together but each process pulls it more apart.  Caring for all is innate.   The ability to do it requires I rely on more than finite resources. To me the words say it all though there are a couple of addresses that are home.  "… I've come to take you home"

We like to feed the birds around the yard.  We have a routine whereby we do a morning feed and often find something in the afternoon for them to have.  It actually extends to feeding a possum at night.
They seem to know the routine and are often waiting for a feed.  Yesterday I was sitting looking out the back and had one come up to me and see if my toe was good to eat.  At other times a bird sits on the back of the chair next to me.  We sagely look around.  Well probably he looks sagely and I look incredulously.
During the storm I saw a bird looking on the ground for food and thought I could learn a thing or two from that bird.  Here I was sitting and concerning myself with the tree fluttering in the breeze and hoping it would not come down while all the while he was under it without a care in the world concentrating on a feed.
I find it incredible how this type of bird knows when it has had enough and stores excess by hiding it.  I do question its method of hiding.  It makes a small hole in the ground and covers the food with leaves.  It does not seem to account for the breeze blowing away the leaves or other watching it and raiding its stash.  Still, what goes around comes around and it looks healthy.
I would never advocate irresponsibility and I know it is up to me to do all to ensure safety for myself and Merril and those around me.  Yet there comes a time when I have done all I know to do and can do.  If I attempt to do more (which is more common than I would like) it is worry.  Worry to my mind is never productive.  When I have done all I can control it is pointless to concern myself about what I cannot control.  To me it is not only pointless it is a waste of time.  There comes a time when I have done all I can just to stand and trust rather than oscillate and worry.
 So seeing a bird happily feeding was a lesson to me.  I reckon there are lessons all around me.  The tv promotes “Lifestyles of the rich and famous.”  I  believe there are lessons to be learned there, just as I believe there are lessons to be learned from the “lifestyles of birds” or “lifestyles of ants” or “lifestyles of gardening”.  I reckon there are lessons all around when I am open to it.

I can imagine others are over this.  I know I am.  It just seems it is like one emergency situation after another at the moment.
I am very thankful that we have come out of things so far relatively unscathed.  There is no doubt the wind was the scariest thing.  It took ages to arrive and the worst of it being Saturday night, took us totally by surprise.    But watching coverage on tv and seeing roofs coming off and large trees fall in streets and onto houses I know it was ok here.
Last night it was rain.  It just went on and on.  We have a home impacted by Burpengary Creek, so we have watched that creek level rise to minor flooding and now it is going down again.  I checked our gauge just before and we have an accumulated total of around 200 mm.  That total is one thing, but it is how quickly we got it that gives pause for thought.
I have had to keep on putting back the putting back in place of everything.  I saw someone from Lismore say it normally takes a day to get everything up or out for emergency flooding and three days to put stuff back and open up a shop.  This is not a shop, but we did spend a day getting stuff away and imagine the getting stuff back in place will take longer.
That is when we can get started.  I think today will be that day but the latest warning is for a dangerous thunderstorm over Caboolture and heading this way.
One good thing though is having moved so much it is easier to determine what is needed and what can go.  We have been doing pretty well downsizing.  I saw a report yesterday that the accumulation of “stuff” is still over the top despite tough economic times.  Storge Units are thriving.
I feel like I have been here before in thinking to worst is behind us.  I live in hope.  I do think today will be the day we start to set up again though.