dual personalities

Month: December, 2024

December 12, 2024

Lend us thine aid

by chuckofish

Every year I bemoan the fact that no one sends Christmas cards anymore. With a single stamp costing over 75 cents, I realize this can be an expensive venture. Still, I do enjoy sending and receiving them. As of December 11, I have received three and one of those is from a business!

Anyway, I am working on mine. I was startled to note how many friends I have had to delete from my mailing list because they have died. Gee whiz, we are getting old. Sunrise, sunset.

Meanwhile both my daughters are sick! I hope they feel better soon! Unfortunately it is that time of year when you are most likely to get sick and are the busiest.

Daughter #2 was well enough (i.e. dragged herself) to attend Katie’s first Christmas program at her Lutheran preschool.

Her baby sister enjoyed it immensely.

Adorable.

In other news, the bud, when he was over on Tuesday afternoon, helped me unwrap all my Christmas stained glass…

He was a good helper!

This is always a fun job, remembering all the different ones we have–some from as far back as the 1960s!

On the academic front we are told that in a poll of 634 UPenn students, 63% stated they “stay silent/outright support” UPenn alumnus Luigi Mangione’s action of murdering the CEO of UHC. Only 37% voted that they condemn it. This is shocking and terrible news, but I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised when we remember all those people who laughed at the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Donald Trump last summer and said they wished the would-be assassin hadn’t missed. We live in a post-Christian world where such behavior is celebrated. Our pray-for-our-enemies list grows longer by the day.

Well, it is time to listen to this great Christmas classic written by English Anglican Reginald Heber in 1811:

P.S. I forget to mention that yesterday was the twins actual birthday. (They had so many celebrations, that the actual one may have–for me–gotten lost in the shuffle!) Of course, we are so thankful for our wonderful twins!

Readers of this blog may remember when they were born eight years ago, weighing just a little over a pound each. Many friends–Jews and Christians, Protestants and Catholics–were praying for them mightily. They pulled through and have thrived. We are so grateful.

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants Wheeler and Lottie as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their
trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4 Comments
December 11, 2024

Teach us to number our days*

by chuckofish

Yesterday I spent three hours at the Mini dealer getting my Cooper ready to pass on to DN in a couple of weeks. It is not an unpleasant place to wile away a few hours. Steve, the service “advisor”, checks in from time to time and lets you know how it’s going and that they haven’t forgotten you. The Lounge is well stocked with a fancy coffee machine, water and treats. The TV was set to the Hallmark channel and I had come prepared with my phone and an actual book to read.

I read a good amount of A Day’s Journey by Tim Keesee, which tries to answer the question, “How do you make each day of your brief life count?” Keesee is a Christian and a cancer survivor. I am enjoying it. In each chapter he tells about an encounter with someone who has taught him something about a day well spent. They range from the well-known (Rosario Butterfield, Joni Eareckson Tada) to the unknown. There are a lot of good scripture references and quotes by people I like, such as this poem by Wendell Berry:

Anyway, the key to making a morning at the car dealership a pleasant experience, as with most things, is to be prepared and to have the right mindset. Be prepared to be there longer than expected and you will be pleasantly surprised when they call your name sooner than expected.

So be prepared, read some poetry and don’t forget to have some cash ready when you go to the grocery store and the Salvation Army person is ringing their bell outside the store. Give, give, give. ‘Tis the season.

*Psalm 90:12

4 Comments
December 10, 2024

This and that

by chuckofish

Yesterday I tried to catch up after my very busy weekend. I got some “desk work” done, met with my co-editor, Ron, to talk about the next Kirkwood Historical Review, and I went to the P.O. where I stood in line for 45 minutes waiting my turn for the one employee to wait on me.

I meant to start addressing Christmas cards but I did not. Tant pis.

In other news, today we toast the great movie actor Victor McLaglan (1886-1959) on his birthday. Best-known for playing Irishmen in John Ford movies, he was not Irish. He was English, of Scottish descent. His father was a bishop. He had a long career in the movies, winning an Oscar for Best Actor in The Informer (1935). I think I will watch Gunga Din (1939) in which he starred along with Cary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

He was also great, of course, in the John Ford Cavalry Trilogy: Fort Apache (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Ford’s The Quiet Man (1952).

So try not to obsess over all the things on your ‘to do’ list! They will get done in due time. In the meantime, watch an old movie!

P.S. It brings me joy to see my granddaughters in their hand-me-down clothes…

I had a conversation with the wife of our new pastor about this. Her mother also saved all her smocked dresses and now her daughter (Edith!) wears them to church. I love it. Of course, it’s fine if you don’t do this! But I love seeing the different generations wearing the same outfits.

And it’s so environmentally responsible!

2 Comments
December 9, 2024

Postcards from a very busy weekend

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was very busy–so busy that I can only post about a little bit of it. ‘Tis the season, right? Lots of running around.

Suffice it to say, I helped to decorate the church…

…the OM and I bought our Christmas tree from the friendly neighborhood Optimists…

…and because it was so warm on Saturday, I managed to sit outside and drink a glass of wine with daughter #1 at a local watering hole.

On SUnday I got up and went to church where I sat, as usual, with the boy and the twins. Our adult ed class was excellent–on angels and demons. Afterwards we came home and celebrated the twins 8th birthday with Episcopal/Calvinist soufflé and cake.

Then after that, daughter #1 and I hopped in the car and headed to Boonville, Missouri (2 1/2 hours away) to attend a DAR event at Roslyn Heights, the state chapter house.

We had to drive home in the dark and the rain, but it was worth it.

It was a lot, but I’m not complaining!

2 Comments
December 6, 2024

So glad it is Friday. As usual.

by chuckofish

Well, happy Friday, readers. And a welcome sight it is. It has been a rather insane few weeks/months at work culminating in this week’s end of year employee luncheon that for some reason falls under my jurisdiction. It all turned out well but I managed to strain my back moving tables, chairs and large boxes of company branded items. The heating pad is my current best friend.

However, this large and festive bow is bringing me joy. It is for sure the largest bow in my neighborhood.

I just love it.

Mr. Smith has been a good boy lately–although today as soon as the sun went down, I think he found some puppy crack somewhere because he was bouncing off the walls. But can you resist that face?!

Don’t worry, he’s going to the groomer after Christmas.

Finally, did you treat yourself to anything over Black Friday or Cyber Monday? I did.

Mr. Smith hates it (he hates all vacuums) but I love it. After the snow this weekend, I realized I need something more powerful than my little mop to keep my kitchen feeling sparking clean. Mr. Smith loves frolicking in the snow (unexpected) and comes in and channels his inner Taylor Swift to shake off the snow globs on his fur. He makes a big mess.

Anyway, life is good. Seasonal bows are real mood lifters. It is time to read A Christmas Carol but of course I can’t find my copy, so I’ve ordered a new one on Amazon. Next week, I’ll have some Scrooge for you.

3 Comments
December 5, 2024

Holy cheerfulness

by chuckofish

Well, I got my new license plates at the DMV yesterday. Bingpot! It wasn’t a terrible experience. Somehow I feel that everyone is feeling lighter and less burdened by care these days. Waiting/standing in a long line is not the end of the world.

In my morning Bible reading I am in 2 Corinthians and I was struck by this:

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. (2 Cor. 1:12)

What a gem! Make that my epitaph, please. I’m afraid I have a long way to go, however, in becoming more serious, less frivolous. My fellow church members are a very serious tribe. They do not joke around. I am learning.

I know what I have to do–in the words of Charles Spurgeon: “We must conquer—some of us especially—our tendency to levity. A great distinction exists between holy cheerfulness, which is a virtue, and that general levity, which is a vice. There is a levity which has not enough heart to laugh, but trifles with everything; it is flippant, hollow, unreal. A hearty laugh is no more levity than a hearty cry.”

So let us try to be more cheerful and less relentlessly superficial (as John Piper would say). One day at a time.

4 Comments
December 4, 2024

It came a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter

by chuckofish

Last week I ordered my Christmas cards and yesterday I spent several hours working on my Christmas letter. The year is skiing by. Well, it is a good exercise to review the year and look at the highlights. Indeed it is, but it is truly in the every day happenings that we see how blessed we are.

Anne was on a tear again and I can relate. “Can I just check out now and not bother to try to endure the next month? Is there a reason for me to continue to participate in modern life? Is there a cabin in the woods I can retreat into and not emerge until some time in Lent?” But I really think it would be better for her if she just stopped reading The New York Times. I stopped years ago. Why make yourself crazy?

In view of this, I think this post by Tim Challies is relevant. “This is something I have been training myself to do in life—to look away from what is not mine to look at. There is so much in life that does not concern me, so much that may draw my eyes or engage my curiosity but is not for me to gaze at or fixate on, not for me to ponder or form opinions about.”

This made me laugh:

…and so did this:

And go ahead, listen to some Christmas music:

P.S. My dear friend Gary is having surgery this morning for an aggressive type of cancer and prayers for his recovery would be much appreciated.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant in his suffering, and bless the means used for his cure. Though at times he may be afraid, fill his heart with confidence that he may yet put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

–BCP

4 Comments
December 3, 2024

Under the wide and starry sky

by chuckofish

We got more snow yesterday and it was very cold. I tell you I am not really ready for this…winter! October was balmy and November wasn’t bad, so digging out the Barbour storm coat was not on my radar. And gloves! Where are my gloves?

At least when it is snowing, it is very quiet in my neighborhood. No leaf blowers!

Anyway, I got a pedicure yesterday, which is something I do now regularly as a result of my chemo-induced neuropathy and getting old. I also scheduled a big trash pickup so that we can get rid of some of the junk in our garage to make room for my SUV which takes up a lot more room than my Mini. And I made a list of all the things I need to get new license plates before heading to the DMV. Oh joy. But I do like that checking-things-off-my-list feeling.

Today we remember Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish author and poet, who died on this day in 1894 while straining to open a bottle of wine for his wife.

He is buried on a spot overlooking the sea in Samoa where he lived at the time.

Based on Stevenson’s poem “Requiem”, the following epitaph is inscribed on his tomb:

Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie
Glad did I live and gladly die
And I laid me down with a will
This be the verse you grave for me
Here he lies where he longed to be
Home is the sailor home from the sea
And the hunter home from the hill

I always hear John Wayne’s voice when I read that, because, as you recall, he recites the poem at the funeral of two sailors (Slug and Squarehead) in They Were Expendable (1945). It is a great scene. The Duke does it perfectly and to great effect–

They were just a couple of blue jackets who did their job.

So a toast to Robert Louis Stevenson and to John Wayne and to all the sailors and hunters home from the hill.

Have a good day! Read some poetry.

4 Comments
December 2, 2024

‘Tis the season

by chuckofish

How was your long weekend? Daughter #2 and famille drove home on Friday afternoon after a fun-filled two days here with us. It is so nice knowing they will back in a few weeks!

Then it snowed all day Saturday–enough to change everyone’s plans and stay home. We had started unpacking Christmas things at daughter #1’s house on Friday morning with the prairie girls…

…and then she finished up the next day with the always helpful Mr. Smith…

I started the process at my house alone on Saturday. It is a lot of work! First to put away and clean up all the Thanksgiving stuff; then to haul all the Christmas things up from the basement. But I managed to get the little tree put up in the dining room…

…and did the mantle…

The feral cat in the Florida room watched me the whole time.

Daughter #2 got a start at her house with her helpers…

At church we observed the first Sunday in Advent with Advent hymns and the first in a new sermon series on God’s covenants in the Old Testament. The new adult ed class series is on angels. Thankfully I am not helping with the children’s Sunday School, so I can attend. The twins and their dad were not there because they were at the bud’s birthday party at the Lego Mini Fig store.

Lottie’s (separate) party is next Saturday. There is too much going on for me to keep it all straight. The boy stopped by later with the bud to tend to the cat and to take the extra leaf out of the dining room table. I heard all about the party–good times!

We, of course, watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) on Thanksgiving night, but the next day after everyone had left, we watched Grumpy Old Men (1993) on Friday night. It was pretty funny–even the grumpy OM I live with thought so.

It takes place around Thanksgiving, so it was seasonally appropriate. I recommend it.

This is a really good post about remembering that God is good regardless.
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7)

So start decorating for Christmas–it’s not too early! Feel the joy. Watch an old movie. Wave to someone. Happy December!

4 Comments