Noteworthy

I'm easing into the idea of the holiday break coming to an end, though "struggling as if in a straitjacket" might be a more accurate description. Here are a few noteworthy items at the start of the week:

• My 96-year-old grandfather, Raymond, passed away on Saturday, which is sad, but I'm actually looking forward to honoring him and his life at the visitation and funeral on Thursday and Friday. Death is never easy to take, but it's a lot easier when someone knows the Lord and lives a very long life accordingly.
• School starts back this week, which is usually awkward for all involved: students are glad to see their friends, but not so glad to see them in classes; teachers are glad to see their students, but not so glad to teach in the midst of the constant classmate reunions. Nevertheless, we press on.
• Who knew I could like G.K. Chesterton even more than I did? After reading (and loving) Orthodoxy a few years ago, this past weekend I read The Man Who Was Thursday, and marveled (again) at the man's intellectual genius.
• The weather has been bizarre this year, certainly in the Pacific Northwest, but also here in the Midwest. We've seen next to nothing in terms of snowfall, as the temperatures have been above freezing for most of December. Come on, winter, show us what you got.
• After making the acquaintance of three of them this past week, I can honestly say that I've never met an Australian I didn't like. Same goes for Canadians. Not sure what that means (or why I'm thinking about it here), but hats off to our friends down under and way up north there, eh? 
• I've made good progress in bonding with the cats, especially the shy one - Lucy - who becomes absolutely unafraid (and uninhibited - we're talking dancing-on-tables freedom here) in the presence of catnip. Strangest thing I've seen in a while.

Guess that's it for now. Have a good start to the week, everyone, and leave a comment with your own update if you like (over the break, it's felt like someone turned off the Internet around here).

Comments

[Craig]

Megan sent me http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090105/wl_asia_afp/australiasexcrimefire;_ylt=Aj71b.wMgVUTcmpzQ.nk2zvDr7sF>this link this morning. Okay, so maybe this particular Australian and I wouldn't get along.

[Charliam]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. You and your family will be in my prayers. May you all have safe travel.