The New Zealand Earthquake

My apologies for the delays in updating and posting on this blog of recent, as my home in New Zealand has recently been hit with a series of devastating earthquakes.

Today is my first day back in my home and office, as well as my first day with running water and sewage. There is little damage to my home, but many are not so lucky. Some people have lost plates and dishes, others have lost everything. Aftershocks can still be heard, like bombs dropping in the distance. 

There is cleaning and rebuilding to do, and all the while life must go on, and I must continue to send out work in order to pay for the bills and the mortage. 

I have just posted the following on the e-zine, Wildberries, which I am editor for:

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Hello and my apologies for the delays in releasing the second issue of Wildberries.

With the continuing earthquakes we have been experiencing here in New Zealand, in addition to family illness, this issue is very late indeed. With the most recent 6.3 earthquake on Friday, 22nd of February, there will unfortunately be even more delays. 

This national tragedy has claimed jobs, homes and lives of people close to me. My own job is now lost, as the health shop where I worked was brought down to rubble along with countless other buildings and businesses. It will take time and energy to rebuild, and even more time and energy to heal. 

Let me finish my saying that while these are dark times for New Zealand, my home, it is also a time when creativity, inspiration and hope are needed most. While Wildberries and other projects will take longer then originally planned, they will still go ahead, and like life, they will move on. 

My love to everyone out there, and my thanks for your support and understanding. I will be posting more regular updates on progress at my blog The Rabbit Hill. 

Joel Le Blanc

Editor 

P.S. If anyone can spare funds for a donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, please go to: http://www.redcross.org.nz/cms_display.php.  Thousands of families are still without clean water, electricity, sewage and shelter. Every little bit helps.

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Once I have been able to catch up on more of the workload that is piling up around me, I will hopefully be able to catch up on personal projects, especially those concerning Wildberries and this blog as well. 

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement through this difficult period. 

All the best,

Joel Le Blanc