As we have previously noted many times, May is an amazing month for birthdays what with Henry Fonda, James Stewart, John Wayne, Bob Dylan, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Walt Whitman–just to name a few. One could have a party every day!
Tomorrow is Bob Dylan’s 84th birthday. He is still touring and still recording–what a guy. We will be sure to toast him and listen to all our favorites.
And it is already the Memorial Day weekend! We have had to change a lot of plans this spring and this weekend we will be laying low, celebrating and honoring the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the US military in our own way by watching movies, including our favorite war movie, They WereExpendable (1945).
I haven’t been doing much besides taking the OM to doctor appointments and labs etc. (also my own doctor appointments and labs etc.) and trying to get him to eat. My second home is Missouri Baptist Hospital.
But I have read some helpful things. “The Bible is immensely practical. It explains life—and really, what other book can make that claim? It tells us about God and also about ourselves. It counsels us on how to live well, and gives perspective far below the surface of our troubles and struggles. It offers hope and the way to deep transformation.”
And when in doubt: Deuteronomy 29:29…
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.“
And here are some thoughts about comfort. “I long to be comforted, but where do I find comfort?”
How was your weekend? Mine was quiet, but there were highlights. Also we had a big midwestern storm and EF 3 tornado damage in north St. Louis where five people actually died.
The storm blew through Forest Park, so that at the St. Louis Art Museum about 150 visitors were hustled into the basement. The Saint Louis Zoo has been closed for several days because of damage.
The tornado came pretty close to daughter #1’s house when it tore through Clayton, but we were unscathed. It hardly even rained in our neck of the woods. We watched the non-stop weather coverage for a good hour and a half though.
I went to church by myself, which is odd nowadays, but it was a great service–even though I literally cried through the whole thing–the Kindergarten Bible presentation, the choir singing this:
…and the congregation singing Christ Our Hope in Life and Death.
Yes, I am super stressed out, but that was too much.
Our associate pastor gave a good sermon on Apologetic Engagement, citing I Peter 3:13-17:
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
The people in my church are very good at this, but I confess, I struggle with it.
I did say hello to the man sitting next to me in church who I did not know. He was from Singapore, visiting on business. He had looked up PCA churches online and come to our service–I was impressed. Pleased to meet you! He probably wondered who the strange lady crying next to him was. C’est la vie.
Our Sunday School was an all-church meeting in the fellowship hall where our pastor talked about some changes in the service the session has agreed on, such as the clergy going back to wearing black robes over their suits in our morning services.
Jonathan Edwards
I’m all for it. We are also going to start using wine (in addition to grape juice) during the Lord’s supper, because it says wine in the Bible, not grape juice. Again, yes, agreed. (Did you know that grape juice was invented in 1869?)
We soldier on. Life is not easy right now, but we do not lose heart. “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
And the Babylon Bee will not let the Episcopal Church alone. (I love it.)
While daughter #2 was here we indulged ourselves by watching some of our favorite movies: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Dear Frankie (2004) and even She’s the Man (2006) for some Channing Tatum. All three movies hit the spot. Comfort food for the soul.
Meanwhile the boy has been introducing the twins to John Wayne movies which they have enjoyed. This warms my heart. So far they have watched Big Jake (1971) and Hatari (1962). Next up McClintock! (1963). These are the best vintage for 8-year olds–less violence, although Big Jake does have some scary bad guys and the Dog does die. Hatari is perfect for kids.
By the way, John Wayne’s birthday is coming up on May 26th so you will want to start planning your own viewing schedule. As usual they will be celebrating big time in Fort Worth on John Wayne Day Weekend🤠 May 24–26 in the Fort Worth Stockyards–“a weekend of legacy, music, wine, storytelling, and family connection.” Wish I could go! Maybe we’ll make it down for the Duke’s 120th in 2027.
We will definitely celebrate as best we can.
And here’s some welcome news! The Cannes Film Festival banned nudity from their red carpet. Gee whiz, what is the world coming to?
You may not be able to tell from this picture, but we were having super fun at Ted Drewes yesterday. Ida said, “My ice cream is so yummy!” and we all agreed.
Later in the afternoon the boy came over with the bud (while Lottie was at dance class) and we sat on the driveway while the kiddos drove the “motorized truck” (as Katie calls it) around the yard in various seating combinations.
The bud being the pro that he is, showed Katie the ropes and she eventually agreed to drive–ever so seriously, observing all the rules of the road. Ida was having the time of her life and would have taken the wheel in a flash if we had let her. (She’s only two.)
They topped the afternoon off with popsicles.
And this is true: “Yes, there is hope. Jesus is king. And that means everything will be ok.”
Okay, I am still chuckling from that video I posted yesterday, but in my weakened state you’ll have to give me a break. Meanwhile I am enjoying my time with daughter #2 and the prairie girls who are wrecking havoc hanging out here at home. The OM is keeping a low profile.
I am also finding solace in all the memes about the new pope…
Well, the OM was sent home from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon after a fun-filled 6-day stay. He is slowing recovering from what they think is related to his autoimmune system. He is very weak, but is getting around with the help of a walker. We have a raft of follow-up doctor appointments ahead of us.
The boy and daughter #1 have been very helpful and attentive, and daughter #2 brought the prairie girls for a visit and they are keeping us company this week.
And Mr. Smith is lending his spiritual support as needed….
We have much to be thankful for.
For people my age who remember K-Tel product ads on TV, this made me laugh so hard:
I wish I knew 5 Neat Guys. Who made the egg salad sandwichs?
And don’t forget to keep your eyes open to all the wonders around you, care of the King of Creation:
Hang in there.
*All Creatures of Our God and King, Tr. William H. Draper, 1925
The OM has been sick for over two weeks and finally was admitted to the hospital on Friday to find out what is wrong. He is still there having gone through a battery of tests. He is improving slowly, but we still don’t know what’s up. Please keep him in your prayers. Posting will be spotty for awhile.
I thank God for our family, friends and our loving and supportive church community. Praise the Lord.
Today we toast George Inness who was an influential American landscape painter, born on May 1, 1825, in Newburgh, New York, and known for his role in the Tonalist movement.
His works often combined elements of realism and impressionism, focusing on the spiritual and emotional aspects of nature.
We have one of his works in the Saint Louis Art Museum…
In the Roman Campagna, oil on canvas, 1873
…and there was one in my college art museum…
Home at Montclair, 1892, oil on canvas, Clark Art Institute
There are several good ones at Yale…
Moonrise, oil on canvas, 1887
I always liked him.
Two Sisters in the Garden, oil on millboard, 1882, Art Institute of Chicago
Inness died in 1894 at Bridge of Allan in Scotland. According to his son, he was viewing the sunset, when he threw up his hands into the air and exclaimed, “My God! oh, how beautiful!”, fell to the ground, and died minutes later. That’s a good way to go–for an artist or anyone, don’t you think?
In other museum news, if you are going to be in Fort Worth on May 22…
dual personalities 