Winning Streaks And Healthy Weeks: The Week In Thanks

After the usual amount of hubbub and angle-checking, the latest condo project was completed - we now have an attractive new entrance sign indicating our street address, a fivefold improvement over what was there before.

Once again Epiphany's pastor made a good impression on me by the way he continues to welcome guests/visitors and particularly college students. They've started up a group for singles and he elegantly begins Mass with a warm greeting toward any students while at the same time respecting the entire congregation.

I'm thankful for iron-fortified bran flakes. Besides the fiber, it's been an excellent substitute for Honey Nut Cheerios, especially when it comes to warding off mild anemia.

The Kansas City Royals sure know how to pick their spots. Ended 1985 with a three-game win streak to overcome a 3-1 deficit. Started off this postseason with eight straight wins, including several in extra innings. I'm in their corner against the Giants in the World Series.

We continue to have stories of positive feedback about the Life Teen Band at church. Random strangers come up to the drummer (he must have a memorable face) and express their appreciation for the ministry.

I was reminded today of China's "one-child" policy, where extra children must either be aborted or compensated by million-dollar tax to the government. Say what you will about American democracy, but this is just a small dose of intrusion that is completely absent from our nation.

We went to ISU's women's volleyball team to see the 1st-place Redbirds pull out a 3-2 match win after being down 2-0. Better yet we got to hang with two of Dena's bridesmaids, Zina and Rosann, as well as my kindred math soul Trish.

I was honored by the invitation to coach the Math team at Metcalf Middle School. I can't do so due to the blessing of having 24 students at the moment, but it was quite a tempting idea.

I'm glad that people have the gift of humor. It's imaginable that we would not have those genes, any more than ants do. That seems like a much more soulless existence, which might help explain the shorter lifespan. Recently we've been watching Rules of Engagement and enjoying some of Hollywood's many talented comic actors.

I'm thankful that the Ebola virus at this point has a bark that's much larger than its bite, and regardless of its ultimate reach, that we live in a country with resources to ably combat it.