dual personalities

Month: September, 2017

September 19, 2017

Be that as it may

by chuckofish

Last week I went to a lecture about music in Hollywood war movies and the development of end credits. It was actually very interesting. I could certainly relate more to it than to the usual biochemistry and molecular biophysics talks I am forced to sit through. Long story short, it prompted me to watch the old HBO series Band of Brothers from 2001.

Band_of_Brothers_poster.jpgI watched three episodes and that was enough for me. It was good, but I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was suffering from PTSD.

Maybe I will go back to it and try again, but I need a break from the intensity. Now I am trying to watch Ken Burns’ Vietnam.

lvsCWEj.jpgI learned a lot in the first episode. And I was glad to see Karl Marlantes interviewed. We’ll see how far I get. (I am DVR-ing it.)

Meanwhile, this is supposed to arrive today.

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P.S. The OM took Longmire #1 (The Cold Dish) along with him when he went to a conference last week. He is currently reading #3. I believe he is hooked.

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September 18, 2017

“If we live, we live to the Lord”*

by chuckofish

Well, we got our act together on Saturday morning and daughter #3 came over loaded down with gear and the wee babes. We walked the few blocks to the Greentree Parade and set up our camp chairs along the perimeter in our favorite spot for 20 years.

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IMG_1502.JPG.jpegThe active little bud actually sat on my lap for an hour and a half watching the parade. I refused to share. Lottie slept in the stroller

IMG_1503.JPG 2.jpegand then sat on a quilt with her mommy until the OM finally grew impatient and secured her on his lap.

IMG_1533.JPG.jpegShe was okay with that. A schmoozing RC priest on the sidelines asked if the OM was her great-grandfather. Zut alors! How to win friends, right?

At church on Sunday, the scripture lessons were all about forgiveness. Our “Rector Emeritus” gave the sermon and it was rather weak I thought. He never mentioned the great first lesson from Genesis, which tells the story of the wonderful Joseph forgiving his terrible brothers, and only touched on the gospel (Matthew 18:21-35–“seventy-seven times”!) Ministers never want to touch the end of this story with a ten-foot pole and it is frequently left out altogether.

“…Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother and sister from your heart.

Yikes, forgiveness is a hard thing! But Jesus makes it clear that it is important and necessary and not optional.

Our rector reminded us to read and then pray the Prayer for the Oppressed (#36 in Prayers and Thanksgivings, BCP) this week in view of the protests that are going on in our flyover city.

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Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I intend to do this. I was glad that he pointed to the Book of Common Prayer as a resource in times of trouble.

After church I bought a copy of the the Rector Emeritus’s new book–My Life Under the Big Top, Reflections of a Comic, Clown and Priest. I’ll add it to my stack of books at home.

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Meanwhile I am reading Call the Midwife, which has been kicking around at home since I brought it home from the giveaway basket at work. It is really good! It is the memoir of a young English women who moves into a convent (Anglican nuns) and trains to become a midwife in post-war London’s East End slums. I am learning a lot.

The boy was unable to attend the parade with us because he was working in his store. But we got a bonus visit from the boy and his wee family on Sunday night. It was good to see our hard-working son and feed him tacos! (Check out my instagram for a video of the bud’s latest talent discovery.)

Have a good week!

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*Romans 14:8

 

 

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September 16, 2017

“This is the land of you’re on your own.”*

by chuckofish

Now that son #1 is home, I have a willing movie-watching partner! Last week we went to see Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, and both of us give it two enthusiastic thumbs up. I should add that neither of us has seen Sheridan’s Hell or High Water, so I don’t know how this movie compares.

Set in the stark beauty of the Wind River valley in Wyoming, the film deals with a bleak subject — the rape and murder of young women on an Indian reservation — without wallowing in violence, getting too preachy, or forgetting its very human characters.

Jeremy Renner plays a Fish and Wildlife employee, who rids the Reservation of mountain lions,  wolves and other predators that threaten the inhabitants. A good man bearing a terrible burden of grief, he’s in the perfect position to help the FBI Agent, Elizabeth Olsen, track down the murderer(s). And he gets to wear a cowboy hat and plenty of Carhartt clothing while doing it.

I won’t go into the plot because I don’t want to give anything away —  after all, it is a mystery. However, I will comment on what I really liked about it. Aside from great performances, excellent direction, superb cinematography and editing, and fine music, Wind River’s greatest asset is its script.

It is a great relief to watch a movie that has a truly excellent script, one that invites the audience to draw conclusions, does not treat viewers like idiots, and actually has something to say.  The main characters come across as real, decent people just trying to deal with what life throws at them. Though I’m no expert, Mr. Sheridan seems to treat the situation on the Reservation with an even hand. There’s a strong sense of community and everyone knows everyone else. Upstanding working families exist right along with poverty and drug abuse —  just like they do in the rest of the country.

Amid the predominance of the BLM movement, it’s nice to see someone finally pay some attention to Native American problems. Wind River deals with the twin issues of crimes against Indian women and hopeless conditions on the Reservation, but instead of pointing fingers and politicizing, it humanizes them, and in doing so becomes vastly more effective. The film reminds us that human suffering is universal and that it’s up to us to alleviate the suffering of others.

Wind River is a violent, sad movie, but the director — also Mr. Sheridan — handles the most disturbing scenes so well that what could have been a relentless downer manages to include a little justice and a sliver of hope.  Skip the superhero flicks and the vulgar comedies and go see Wind River. You won’t regret it!

*”This isn’t the land of ‘call for back-up’. This is the land of ‘you’re on your own’,” said by the sheriff in Wind River

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September 15, 2017

FRIYAY

by chuckofish

This has been a busy week at work with a Big Event and a few smaller events.

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I m ready for a quiet weekend.

However, this weekend is our town’s annual Greentree Festival, complete with a parade on Saturday. In recent years I have been content to watch from the sidelines by myself, but I am hoping that the wee babes and their parents will be able to join me on the parade route. What do you think, bud?

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Speaking of parades, I read that on September 27 the city of Cincinnati will honor home town girl Doris Day at City Hall. Rumor has it that a street may be named in her honor, there will be a screening of “Pillow Talk” at the Esquire Theater, and a fundraiser for her Doris Day Animal Foundation.  Truly I can’t believe they haven’t named a street after her already. She is certainly one of the best things to come out of that town.

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Meanwhile I am still looking for something good to read after finishing all the Longmire books.

Screen Shot 2017-09-05 at 3.00.29 PM.pngFor a change of pace, daughter #2 suggested I read Chapters From a Life by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (an early 19th century American writer) and I went online and checked it out from my flyover university library, but it takes a few days to get a book that way. So I must be patient.

After reading this article, I ordered The Stand by Stephen King, so we’ll see how that goes. I have read several SK novels–I liked The Green Mile. They do vary, but I have to admit he is a good writer. 

Well, anyway, I’ll find something…

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I got books…Have a terrific weekend!

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September 14, 2017

A child of God

by chuckofish

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There is no promise that everything will be rosy. The first thing is not to play savior of the world but to keep living in the world as a child of God. I see all these things happening, but I do not allow them to seduce me into the darkness. I live in the world but belong to God. If you live a life of watching and waiting, you will know what kind of call you have. You are not called to solve every problem in the world.

–Henri Nouwen

The woodcut is “Light Through the Trees” by Hajime Namiki

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September 13, 2017

Freed and forgiven

by chuckofish

Time for a little Wednesday gospel inspiration.

Turn it up and sing loud.

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September 12, 2017

“I don’t believe that heaven waits for only those who congregate”*

by chuckofish

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“Plain-spoken” Don Williams has died. Here’s his semi-condescending NYT obit.

More to the point,  Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young told Rolling Stone magazine that “His music will forever be a balm in troublesome times. Everyone who makes country music with grace, intelligence, and ageless intent will do so while standing on the shoulders of this gentle giant.”

Balm is the right word.

Here’s my favorite Don Williams song:

Those Williams boys, they still mean a lot to me–Hank and Tennessee…

Well, besides being a bonafide Country Music legend in the U.S., he was consistently an international ambassador of country music, earning a devoted following in Europe, especially in the U.K. and Ireland, as well as Australia. He was also huge in Africa. He was the real deal.

In addition to his recording career, Williams appeared in two Burt Reynolds films, in the 1970s including W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975).

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It is available on Youtube, so I think I will watch it. We’ll  miss you, Don.

Into paradise may the angels lead thee, Don. At your coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.

*”I Believe in You” by Roger Cook and Sam Hogin

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September 11, 2017

Let us conduct ourselves becomingly

by chuckofish

8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; 12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

(Romans 13:8-14)

On Sunday I read the second lesson in church. This made me very happy, because it was a great passage, especially that line about “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;  the night is far gone, the day is at hand.”

In other news I went to the auction as planned on Saturday and made a few purchases. I rescued a little drypoint etching by Ernst Oppler (1867-1929) which no one wanted, but which I really like.

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I also bid on and won an English Pembroke table with drop leaves which is quite nice. There were other nice things, but I restrained myself. I loaded up the amazing Mini Cooper and trundled home.

I spent the rest of the weekend puttering around the old manse, doing laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and reading the newest Longmire out in the Florida room. I finished it and now will have to wait ’til the next installment which should come out in about a year! It was quite a cliffhanger too…

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The OM left for a conference in Philadelphia on Sunday, so I had to make dinner for the boy and daughter #3. I managed to throw something together (toasted ravioli); the babes had some orange food.

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I must also note that today is daughter #1’s birthday! We won’t be able to celebrate together until two weeks from now, but we’ll toast her tonight for sure!MWC.jpeg

You’ve come a long way, baby!

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Here’s to a wonderful year! (And a good week!)

And, oh, what’s that you say? The Cards are only 2 games back from first place?

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Of course, they are.  Screen Shot 2017-09-10 at 8.16.25 PM.png

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September 9, 2017

It’s déjà vu all over again

by chuckofish

You’ve heard about our family dance parties; the tradition goes back quite a way. In fact, dance parties, like bagpipe music, are particularly helpful for calming babies. I used to dance with the lovely lady on the left in the picture below. Now she’s dancing with her own niece and nephew.

Things were ever thus! Take this letter my mother wrote to me on the 1st of September, 1985, in which she told this amusing tale:

Mary, of course, is a little lamb and misses you VERY much whether she realizes it or not. One day this week she was quite fussy and, as it looked like rain, Katie didn’t bring the stroller [to our house]. I tried everything I could think of to amuse her except standing on my head, and finally put on 45s. Can’t say we have an outstanding collection! She’s not exactly the Stevie Wonder type; and she might like Bruce S. but the recording is rather slow for her. Rod S. is better, but guess what rally turned her on? Alvin and the Chipmunks!! We had to play it several times. All the time we were playing records, I was holding her and dancing, and believe me, I was really rocking away but I do not dance the way Aunt Sarah does and she doesn’t like it nearly as much.

Ah, those were the days. Mary and I particularly liked dancing to Bryan Ferry’s “Slave to Love” — she was mesmerized.

I highly recommend dancing with babies — it may not be as trendy as goat yoga, but it’s a lot nicer.

Next week is “birthday week” across the family, for on Monday Mary celebrates her birthday,  on Tuesday son Chris turns the big 25 (!), the same day that son Tim’s girlfriend turns 21! It’s almost too much cake to contemplate. Unfortunately, none of the celebrants will be here on the relevant days, so my only opportunity to toast them is right here.

Be silly. Goof off!

Captain Facetious and his lovely lady

and if you can’t be with the one you love, Skype!

And why not surprise her by trimming that beard?

Have wonderful birthdays and know that we love you!

 

 

7 Comments
September 8, 2017

“To perfect eyesight and a full head of hair”*

by chuckofish

The end of a short week–Huzzah! I hope the weather holds out through the weekend, because it has been beautiful here in flyover country. No, nothing to complain about here.

For lack of anything else to do the other night, I watched Star Trek Beyond (2016) on Prime, and I have to say, I enjoyed it very much. It held my interest (staying awake on a week night is no small feat!) and the CG action was riveting. It is the thirteenth film in the Star Trek film franchise and the third installment in the reboot series. Chris Pine is a worthy successor to William Shatner as James T. Kirk. I really like him.

pine-stb-header (1).jpgThe rest of the crew, especially Karl Urban as Bones, is good too and so likable. Indeed, the makers of these reboot movies have not forgotten how important all the characters are and they have retained the light touch so important to the series. There are a lot of clever references, such as the motorcycle in this film being referred to as a “Hilts PX70”.  According to Simon Pegg (who, in addition to starring as Scottie in this film, is also one of its screenwriters), it is named after Steve McQueen’s character in The Great Escape (1963). Of course it is.

As you know, I am not a big fan of sci fi/CG movies. But I do like these rebooted Star Trek flicks. And this little lady is awesome.

rehost-2016-9-13-05326363-2334-48b0-8653-e969d1ba3278.jpgSo that is my Friday movie pick.

As far as plans this weekend, I don’t have many. I’m going to the Fall Gallery Auction at Link Auction Galleries on Saturday. You never know when you might find that Art Nouveau brass fish bowl stand you’ve always been looking for, right?

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We’ll see. And, of course, I can’t wait to see the wee babes!

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Have a great weekend!

*Dr. McCoy toasting to Captain Kirk

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