On Monday, we attended a lively discussion of our classics book club, CLAM. I had been quiet in the first discussion on Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain", mostly because I was totally lost in the first 100 pages of the book. I'm still fairly lost, but I'm beginning to see through the mist and murkiness of the pages, and catching a glimpse of some overall themes, like seeing the beginnings of some different trails I could follow up the steep mountain of this book.

Yesterday, we drove up to Jamie's to have dinner with him and the kids, and it was an evening of love and gratitude. I feel so lucky to have this wonderful family around me, and it was so good to see Jamie bearing up strongly under his latest sorrow. He's doing a valiant job of showing dignity and strength as he leads his children through this difficult family time. The kids, Noah and Ava, are so bright and good-natured, that just being around them for a few hours lightens my life considerably.

My reading of "The Magic Mountain" suddenly became much clearer, and even inspiring, today. For some reason, as I was reading beside a comforting fire, the deeper meanings of the book started to come clear. Sentences seemed understandable and strong, and the different characters started to stand out more clearly for me. Good news!!