Thoughts of Queensland

I am overwhelmed thinking about the people of Queensland, as I hear that they are about to be hit by a massive cyclone this afternoon. This comes so quickly on the heels of the devastating floods in that state.

The impacted area includes Port Douglas and Cairns, where we spent our honeymoon last October. We were so taken with the area, particularly with the stunning natural beauty - beaches in the shadows of dramatic moutains, straight out of a postcard; dramatic rainforest with heaven only knows how many species of plants and animals; and these verdant green rolling hills full of sheep farms, reminiscent of Scotland. We also met some of the loveliest, most effusive people there. 

What can you say about natural disasters, except to send out thoughts of hope that everyone will evacuate and that minimal property damage will occur? The natural environment, of course, will sort itself out, as it always does. In the meantime, my thoughts are with the people of Queensland, a state that has seen more than its fair share of hardship this year.