Thumbs up: To Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict, 85, this week became the first Catholic pope in 600 years to resign, citing his failing health. It takes real work to provide leadership to a major world religion, and if Benedict does not feel he can handle the job any longer, making way for someone who can is a fair, sensible course of action. The church is at a critical point in its history, and it needs a strong leader in Rome. Benedict deserves a thumbs-up for having the humility to acknowledge he can no longer be that leader.

Thumbs down: To the potholes that have popped up on roads around the area. It seems everyone has a road they travel regularly that has become a minefield of chuckholes. Local road maintenance crews have been out trying to fill them – DeKalb crews poured 10 tons of asphalt mix Monday alone – but the freeze/thaw cycle that has been so common this winter has made this a particularly tough year for pavement.

Thumbs up: To the start of Major League Baseball’s spring training. It often seems as though spring training is the first sign that spring is around the corner. Even though it has been a mostly mild winter so far, it’s nice to look forward to better weather, more sunshine and being able to enjoy more outdoor activities. And for now, it’s great to be hopeful about the prospects for the White Sox and the Cubs.