LIVING ON THE ROCK

Locals refer to Bermuda as "The Rock'.   It's a rather apt description if you think about.  Topographically, we live at the top of a submerged mountain in the middle of the Atlantic.  The islands lie on top of an extinct volcano.  The so-called Bermuda Platform was also created by "reef building corals, vermetid snails and calcareous algae that colonized the eroding seamount" (1). 

Suffice it to say that the island is made up of a mixture of volcanic rock and limestone.  There are no fresh water rivers, and no lakes.  There are patches of land that are arable, but very little in the way of agriculture is possible.  The plants, trees and shrubs are lush and beautiful despite the hard rock beneath.

Despite its foundations, there are luxuriant golf courses and dense tropical nature reserves dotted all over.  Accordingly, living on 'The Rock' even with it's bowling ball core is a fabulous experience.

(1)  Introduction to Bermuda: Geology, Oceanography and Climate in Coral Reefs of the World 2013 P115 to 133

ISLAND PROBLEMS

Oh, the problems we endure whilst living on the island. 

To wit - this post seen lately via IWC Facebook: 

"Does anyone know of a coconut-removal service I could call to remove several bunches of coconuts from a very tall and thin palm tree? The tree is taller than our house and looms above my kids' outside play area. Our gardeners said it is too high for them to deal with..."

Oh, my heart - the trials and tribulations!  In my humble opinion, this makes me feel truly blessed!  How lucky we are to be beset by problems of this magnitude.   Do we truly appreciate the fact that most of us who live in countries of the Western world do not usually have to deal with obstacles and issues of earth-shattering significance?  

Most of us in the vicinity of North America have access to running water, organized public transportation, shelter, a variety of job options, a smorgasbord of food in the grocery stores - the big things are all there for the taking.  Opportunities and potential abound.

Now, that is not to say that all of us don't have to deal with the darker side of life: death of loved ones, consequences of accidents, health issues, and climatic calamities that nature throws our way.  

But truly, barring those awful events that all of us must deal with from time to time, I do believe that we should be grateful and thankful for the fortunate lives that the universe has dealt us. 

Time to smell the roses I think.... or the hibiscus here on the island.