Our power finally came back on in the middle of the afternoon today (Monday). It went off mid-afternoon Thursday, and you will understand how relieved we are when I add that, because we’re out in the country, we have a well, not city water, and the well has an electric pump. It could have been worse: we had stored enough water for essential functions, and luckily the power at our very nice sports club did not even go off. The daily showers etc. more than justified its membership costs, even if the level of my tennis suggests those costs may be a bit of an indulgence. We remain thankful, and a bit mystified, that all our trees remained standing when so many large ones in the area, including many close by, did not.
Anyway, thanks to those of you who emailed messages of concern and support. I’m sure I’m gladder to be back than you are to have me.
john–
when i read the column, what i did not think was addressed was this: how do we (or monkeys, for that matter) determine exactly what “fairness” is?
it does appear that the monkeys – and we – are far more comfortable when things are fair…..
but some may think that it IS fair that those who work harder, longer, sacrifice more, etc., etc. GET more than those who do not.
and some may think that it is NOT fair that those who do not work diligently toward goals are given much more than bare subsistance from those who DO work their monkey-tails off.
let’s see a test where monkeys busting their monkey tushes get more than the relaxing monkeys get … and see WHAT HAPPENS.
i’ll look forward to seeing what the nytimes reports about THAT test!