It’s a funny thing living without television and radio, especially when you are living alone and even more so when your cottage is hours from the action.

I logged on this morning to write a post on how things are going here on the farm only to discover that nature has decided to rearrange itself in the form of a massive cyclone in Burma, a monstrous earthquake in China and a billowing volcano in Chile.

My heart goes out to those people affected, especially those thousands in Burma and China who had little warning, if any, of the incredible phenomenon that hit them.

It puts it all into perspective for the rest of us going about our lives, be it facing a traffic fine, another month of drought, an annoying driver who consistently brakes and speeds up in front of you, or being chastised by a 7pm caller from a Delhi call centre.

One of the best things about being out here is that things always get knocked back into perspective….what with the dynamic world we live in.

The old prayer my mum has around the house about ‘knowing the difference between what you can change and what you can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference’.

Well I know I can’t change the rainfall, but I can do everything to ensure every drop that falls is put to best use…rebuilding sheep yards, fencing smaller paddocks, piping water further, re-digging the dam catchments and ensuring the stock are in the best of health.

So for me it’s no more complaints and a lot more action…. hell, at least I have the luxury to make that decision, unlike the poor buggers stuck under rubble.