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Health & Fitness

We're Still at Mother Nature's Mercy

Although we live in an era of interdependence on technology and systems that help us cope, when Mother Nature cracks her whip we're still forced to pay attention.

"Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking

What a grand world this would be

If the men were all transported

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Far beyond the northern sea."

A paraphrase of this old camp song has been running through my head as we experience the aftermath of .

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"Reuben, Reuben, I've been wondering

How much longer it may be

'Til the phone and email function,

Not to mention the TV."

This temporary deprivation pales in comparison to the misfortune of those who have or no way to get assistance with basic needs. And the interruption in my daily life is nothing at all when I consider the flooding in southeast Asia or the devastating earthquake in Turkey, or the plight of famine victims in Sudan. We are still at the mercy of the forces of nature.

But it is a strange world to contemplate without the technological conveniences we routinely rely on. Could we get through a month, or even a week, with only the technologies available a century ago? A TV show of a few years back tried to capitalize on that idea. The family who attempted to replicate an 18th century frontier existence discovered "you can't go home again." We live in an era of interdependence on things and systems that help us cope, but the natural world remains the dominant factor. When Mother Nature cracks her whip, she is reminding us that we better pay attention!

"Reuben, Reuben, we are hoping

When a snowstorm comes again,

You'll be ready with a beefed-up

Crew of hardy fix-it men!"

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