Just to counterpoint your winter blizzards, the situation here is now capable of becoming our greatest national disaster. Food supplies are now cut from where I am in the north, Janet is safe but soggy in Hervey Bay, but that could change very quickly - the low pressure systems developing off the coast, and the king tide tomorrow mean massive amounts of water still to come.
The area of land that is actually underwater now is beyond comprehension - larger than most European countries, larger than the whole state I come from, Victoria. And the scenes of the flash-floods are dreadful reminders of the tsunami. The death toll is rising every hour. They are now evacuating the centre of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. This is unthinkable - unreal.
The ferocity and surge of the water is unbelievable. People are missing. Destroyed townships remain unreachable.
The distress coming through from these extreme weather events we are all experiencing to some extent, relates to being 'isolated' and 'cut-off'.
Marvellous Bishop, Ed! A touch of magic. The full extent of the tragedy is unfolding here moment by moment. Touches of magic are so welcome.
And touches of winter. For me, at least, it becomes so much harder to think in the heat. That's why the Simic piece Bill posted spoke directly to me. I wondered if anyone else has the same experience?
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