Following my post about the ineptitude and ineffectiveness of words, I stumbled on this piece in the Sydney Morning Herald. It’s actually about citizenship ceremonies, but you’d never guess it from the way I’ve plucked the extracts: Traditionally, ritual, including rites of passage, is embedded in our religious culture. And

I don’t know if you have ever discovered Norm, humane, genial and wise, over at either of his blogs, Extraordinary Expectations or When Death Breaks in… The latter is suspended, now, or fulfilled. On EE, be sure to click all three tabs at the top. Here’s a taste of Norm.

Interesting, thought provoking piece about Irish funerals in today’s Irish Times. The writer, Marie Murray, makes this observation: The extent of funeral attendance in Ireland often bemuses our neighbours in England. She says: Funeral attendance is a statement of connection, care, compassion and support. It encircles those who grieve and

I am indebted to Pat McNally for this. And while I might have added it to my post about My Way, I feel it’s too good to bury. Over in the Philippines, it seems, karaoke is a popular pastime. According to the New York Times, after a hard day’s work,