dual personalities

December 7, 2011

Deck the halls

by chuckofish

This dualpersonality has been decorating, too. Marjorie and the little Dutch girl always sit in the chair. Marjorie was my mother’s doll, and although she has seen better days, I think she seems cheered up by the festive company she is keeping. The wonderfully late 1950s Santa I received on my first or second birthday. I couldn’t say Santa Clause so I called him Kee-Kaw and the name stuck. He’s a favorite of ours. One of my aunts made the doll with the wild red hair and (if I remember correctly) the primitive angel on Marjorie’s lap. Unfortunately, I can no longer remember which Aunt was responsible. Can anyone help? The two snowmen are new and store-bought but I like their expressions.

These dolls occupy an 18th century Windsor chair from the Sargent side of my family. It sits in a corner of my living room under a couple of etchings and next to the big bookcase that my mother bought and stained many, many years ago.

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December 7, 2011

Thy daily stage of duty run

by chuckofish

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will,
and with thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say;
that all my powers, with all their might,
in thy sole glory may unite.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

–Thomas Ken

Now here’s a poem we have probably all known forever and taken for granted. What a great morning prayer and hymn! If you are alone and cannot sing it as a round, sing it anyway. You’ll be glad you did.

And while we’re at it, let’s give a high five to Bishop Thomas Ken (1637–1711) who wrote it. (Ken is honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on March 20.)

They don’t write ’em like this anymore.

P.S. This is our 100th blog post! Yay for us!

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