My Week that Was - December 7

The nativity in our home. 12/8/2013 dwm

My week with helping a small group of men set up a Nativity scene in front of the church so it was in place for the start of Advent on Sunday.

Just seven of us made it but we moved the framework of the stable and silhouettes of the various players into place. Advent is the season of preparation, we celebrate the birth of the Christ child in a barn in Bethlehem. It's also the time for believers looking forward to His return.

It was my first opportunity to get to know a few more people at the church we're now attending, adding John, Fred, and Brian to the mental Roladex.

Lower than normal temperatures dropped into south Wisconsin from Canada. It's early winter in Wisconsin, so we're used to cold, but it is unusual to see the overnight low reach 10 degrees, the average low for Madison in December is 19. We've had some snow flurries but no accumulation.

Yuletide cheer is in season now that it's December. I've heard the early Christmas displays this year, out before Halloween and all-Christmas music all-the-time radio stations came on the air in early November as a reaction to the negative and hostile feelings surrounding the election.

Sunset, 12/2/2/2024 dwm photo

 Walking across the Prairie Ridge campus Monday, I enjoyed an unexpected view of sunset. I was on the second floor landing, looking through an octagon window. I've walked passed this spot hundreds if not a thousand times, I've never been treated with a setting sun. 

 After work, while walking to the car, I noticed the skies filled with geese. There were more flying V's honking their way home for the evening. The last time I saw as many birds, we lived in South Dakota. 

 I think progress was made Wednesday with our data conversion, it turns out I missed one of the steps and need a new backup. It should be ready soon.

A tree in the lobby 12/5/24 dwm

Thursday Oakwood's University Woods campus celebrated the "Hanging of the Greens." It's an annual celebration after the Christmas decorations are decking much of the campus. The last time I heard a number, there were at least 36.

The service included a resident chorus and four other songs for the audience. When the service is over, it's officially Christmas time at Oakwood. (Photo at right and below)

On my way home, I turned on Mineral Point Road then saw a young buck running full-speed across four lanes of traffic before slowing when he reached the the north side of the street. 

It was an amazing sight and thankfully the deer wasn't touched. Maybe he looked both ways?

The Packers played Detroit in the Lions den Thursday night. It was 17 - 7 at halftime. Green Bay turned the ball over on a promising drive and our defense couldn't stop the Lions on their first drive of the game, when they drove the field, landing in the end zone with seven points. As the half went on, it felt like the Packers were getting their bearings, but it was going to take a big push to earn the win.

The Packers got the ball to start the second half and a long pass from Jordan Love to Christian Watson got them in the red zone where they finished with a touchdown pass from Love to Tucker Kraft to make it a three-point game. The Lions got the ball back but Green Bay's Keisean Nixon intercepted Jared Goff's pass, returning it to the Detroit 16. Three plays later, the Packers took the lead on a 6 yard burst by Josh Jacobs, 21 - 17.

Detroit got the ball then marched to the Packer 3 yard line where they scored on 4th down and regained the lead, 24 - 21.

Green Bay couldn't do anything with the next possession, but after they punted to the Lions, Detroit went for it on 4th down at their own 30. Green Bay stopped them behind the line of scrimmage and took over at the 30. The third quarter ended with the Packers at the Detroit 6, first and goal to go. Josh Jacobs punched it up the middle taking the lead 28 - 24. Detroit answered, driving 70 yards, finishing with a 3 yard pass for the touchdown and a 31- 28 advantage.

On their next possession, Love hit Christian Watson for a 29-yard gain for a first down at the Detroit 45. A Love pass to Dontayvion Wicks reached the Lions' 17. Love went back to Wicks for another first down, first and goal at the 7. After a penalty wiped out a touchdown, Green Bay settled for a tying field goal, making it even at 31 with 3:38 to play. 

Detroit has the best offense in the NFL. Their drive started with a pass to the 49, the next play moved it to the Green Bay 39. Green Bay's defense forced a 4th down and inches to go with 43 seconds to play. The Lions got a first down which meant they ran the clock down to a 3 seconds before kicking a field goal to win.

The loss puts a division title out of reach for the Packers. The result also means if we get another chance at the Lions, it will be inside Ford Field, we'll need to be 3 points better in that game. 

Friday ended the week with news that our system backup is ready but the items necessary to move it on to the next provider are not, so I'm hoping it will be done by Monday.

On the drive home I saw large flocks of geese on the west side of Madison. That means the migration is underway for the Canadian geese that still fly south in the winter. They might want to stick around for the weekend, its going to warm-up around here.  Thanks for reading, enjoy your weekend!