This old wall clock hangs in the corner of my living room and counts down the hours with a clanging chime. A few decades older than I am, it has felt many quakes over the years and usually carries on it's business without complaint only asking to be wound every 7 to 10 days. The past weeks it has been busy at it's hidden agenda, to judge the extent of each quake and after-shock. "Is that a quake I feel? Couldn't be very bad, the clock is still ticking." Well, it was on the job last night ... maybe a bit behind in the time but so am I . (might have something to do with age) At the time I had been listening to a couple of feral cats loudly fighting? courting? serenading? the neighborhood. Their audience temporarily distracted by the noisy shaking of buildings, they stopped. Interestingly, less than a minute after the quake ended, they resumed their yowling as if nothing had happened.
I thought how like Japan these cats are. The trains stop. The TV programing switches to warning mode. Power goes off. People stop what they are doing ... and check the clock... then slowly things return to normal (or the NEW normal) and life goes on. Like much of life you have no control over anything except how you react to the situation. Today my dog lies in the entryway, the very place she was terrified to be twice in four weeks, and life goes on as usual.
What a beautifully composed, poignant post. I feel like I am there with you.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese situation might not be on all the news bulletins in Australia anymore but I still think of all those doing it tough! It is so good to get your updates and those of a couple of other japanese based blogs. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteNice blog posting you write here, Julie. Surprisingly, you wrote about another big quake that hit Japan last night (knew it from the TV news) and you wrote it beautifully. Really hope things will going back to beautifully normal again. My prayer still goes to all friends in Japan. (and you are included ;))
ReplyDeleteHoping the rumblings of quakes are minor for a good long while (100 years maybe??) Quilting seems like it would be calming to the nerves. As to the clock, well, it certainly seems to have earned its place on the wall :)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend, Julie!
Oh Julie, I think of you so often. I read a sign outside a church yesterday that said, "faith begins where worry ends" and told myself to quit worrying about you. :) Please know that I am concerned and am so happy every time you post to know that you are well. blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteIn heartful thoughts with you, dear Julie...
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
NADINE
Your post comes just as Washington is in the middle of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which always gets me to thinking of you, Julie. The grace of this post, as usual, goes far beyond what we hear on the news about aftershocks (and little other news about Japan's difficulties beyond the Fukushima Daichi crisis). The Congress and President within the last hour have stopped bickering over the budget, which will mean the Cherry Blossom Parade can take place tomorrow, which will, we hope, raise a lot of money for relief as hats are passed among the crowd.
ReplyDeleteI am a very behind blogger at the moment but was relieved to see you were still posting. I've managed to take a quick look here and there, wondering how things were for you. Not as much news from Japan now, except the nuclear plant. Very happy you're okay! Sure do like your quilt! Pretty colors too!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are still sewing and blogging even though it is rumbling over there. I can't even imagine what it would be like to experience. I hope all is well.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog and the beginnings of your diary. I am so impressed by all the things you've done and still manage to do amidst the terrible earthquake you experienced. I pray for your safety and the safety of the people of Japan.
So good to hear news from you again. I appreciate your keeping Japan and her people on our minds in your eloquent way.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful hand-quilting!