We spent an afternoon with Elder and Sister Stosich in the Auckland War Museum.  As a resident (we are official now and even have a library card) it didn’t cost a thing…but the history cost the participants heaps. We have already shared with you much about their fierce patriotism and some of their war efforts.  An old beautifully hand-carved Maori Marae.  The time and effort it cost these Maori carvers hundreds of years ago leaves us in awe ... (but not sure we’d want these faces in our house late at night).   The rooms were filled with things and war and history that someone paid some kind of price for…a cost to someone. It probably cost a heap of time to learn to sail one of these (Moana knows)  but if you are on one in the ocean in a storm it was probably well worth the cost. If you think about it, there is a cost to everything. The cost to use our car park is a bit pricey…$12 an hour.  That adds up quicky and w...

We were awakened in the wee hours of the morning to loud crashing sounds outside our window. A young lady fell asleep driving and crashed into a light pole and tree. The car and light pole didn’t fare too well but thankfully, though she was shaken up, she was protected and came away okay. Afterward spent some time in those wee hours recalling the many times in our lives when, even though things have come crashing down around us or those we love, we have been protected and come away okay. Its natural to want to feel safe and protected.  Ducks are great protectors, this little brood on our walk around a lake knew "mum" spelled safety so they stayed close  This Australian Coot (the New Zealand Coot is extinct...didn't get protected) keeps a pretty tight rein on its little ones (the funny looking red head).  Mum and dad share in protecting and teaching the little guys. Some of these protected little families were not little...counted as many as 12 duckling...