ALL IN A NIGHT

The wind was rough here last night and this morning barely a leaf was to be seen on the old lime trees in the lane and the garden pathways were invisible,buried under a thick carpet of rich autumn colours. All in a night winter had arrived.


I could not help thinking about the people of New York who are coping with the horrendous aftermath of “Sandy” and how difficult it must be to live in a city without electricity.

In the countryside where I lived much of my life when the power failed, and it often did, we would fetch out the candle and the storm lanterns for light and cook our meals on the open fire. In 1963 we lived like that for almost three months.

How much more difficult in a city where most people live in apartments,with no power and the lift s out of action how do people cope especially those with small children ,elderly of disabled people such as myself,it must be very difficult.

Central heating is very convenient but one cannot cook on a radiator,and of course if there is no electricity there is no central heating. If one lives half way up a high rise in a large city it is not even possible to set up a barbecue in ones garden or back yard.

So much damage and at such a time of the year is impossible to contemplate and yet the folks in New York are having to deal with all of this and my heart goes out to them.

Our friend Coxie remained in the city ,we know he is OK but life is going to be tough for a while

It's Halloween and our Pumpkin mask is presiding over the festivities, a bowl of lollipops and a big dish of cookies await any hardy trick or treaters although I doubt it we shall have any visitors this year; it is pouring with rain and very windy also.

Later I shall perform my own ceremonies,nothing dreadful or sinister as some would have you believe. There are good and bad witches,black and white if you prefer,just as there are good and bad people in any walk of life. The church itself is not immune from evil as we have seen these past few years. When Christians talk about holding a festival of light at Halloween calling it a positive celebration,what do they suppose we do to mark the occasion ?

People who still worship in the old way are not bad and they never were,they are caring,tolerant and have a great love for their fellow man. There are those who profess to worship Satan ,in doing so they seek power for themselves and their people , they share this desire with half the world and a great many faiths including Christianity for who can deny the great power wielded for centuries by the church;even over kings? Not always for good!

I wish a safe night and a quick return to normality for the people affected by the great storm and to you all everything that you would wish for yourself, as we prepare for the dark months ahead.........