When the earthquake here in Japan happened on 1/1, my wife shared with me conspiracy theories that it was actually a test of earthquake-producing technologies with certain nebulous parties telegraphing their capabilities to certain other nebulous parties through the deed. Considering that the next big earthquake was on 8/8, and that the Japanese Meteorological Agency took the unprecedented step of giving a megaquake earthquake warning in the aftermath, sparking fear and panic buying in the population... well, the timing certainly gives one pause! I don't *think* I take such conspiracies seriously, but I guess I'll be a little extra on my guard on 9/9, 10/10, 11/11, and 12/12!

Anyway, I'm adding a prayer on behalf of the country where I've chosen to live:

May the country of Japan be blessed and protected from the potential megaquake about which its population is currently on alert.