dual personalities

Month: April, 2026

April 30, 2026

A little history to know and tell

by chuckofish

It is the last day of April! Zut alors!

Today we celebrate the signing of the Edict of Nantes in 1598 by Henry IV of France, whereby Calvinist Protestants (Huguenots) were granted substantial rights in the nation, which was predominantly Catholic.

(The Edict of Nantes document, 1598; preserved in the Archives Nationales of France)

Of course, this edict was revoked in 1685 by King Louis XIV, and Protestantism was declared illegal. This had very damaging results for France. While the wars of religion did not re-ignite, intense persecution of Protestants took place. All Protestant ministers were given two weeks to leave the country unless they converted to Catholicism and all other Protestants were prohibited from leaving the country. In spite of the prohibition, the renewed persecution – including many examples of torture – caused as many as 400,000 to flee France. Most moved to Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Prussia, Switzerland, and the Thirteen Colonies in North America. You may recall that I wrote recently about the father of Paul Revere, who came to Massachusetts as a 13-year old Huguenot refugee, fleeing persecution in France. 

Indeed, this exodus deprived France of many of its most skilled and industrious individuals who made up a large part of the French middle class. One can argue that the nation never quite recovered. The Revolution followed 100 years later.

But, hey, in October 1985, to commemorate the tricentenary of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, President Francois Mitterrand of France announced a formal apology to the descendants of Huguenots around the world. Oh, and they issued a special postage stamp.

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April 29, 2026

No matter how hopeless, no matter how far*

by chuckofish

The other night I watched Man of La Mancha (1972) on TCM for want of anything else to watch. A film adaption of the hit Broadway musical, it is not a great movie. However, while I watched, I remembered going to the Cinerama Theater to see it with my mother and sister. I was a junior in high school. We were big Peter O’Toole fans at the time and we enjoyed it. My mother reacted very emotionally to it, weeping at the end when Cervantes goes up the prison stairs with the loyal Sancho to meet the Inquisition tribunal.

When the movie was over, after pulling ourselves together, we did something I don’t ever remember doing before or since–we went to Famous-Barr and bought the movie soundtrack on the way home! We listened to that record so much I practically knew it by heart. Peter O’Toole was (sadly) dubbed in his singing scenes, but the record included several short scenes which included his dialog. “I shall impersonate a man!” That dialog came back to me so clearly watching the movie!

The lyrics to “The Impossible Dream” may seem corny to some now, but they weren’t then. It is still a pretty great song.

I forgot to mention that Monday was the birthday of cousin Ulysses S. Grant (1822-85).

Yes, Grant was not cut out for politics–too humble, too honest, too trusting. I do love USG. Let’s all take a moment.

Also, I somehow missed that they recently filmed Antiques Roadshow at Grant’s Farm here in town. The first episode of three at Grant’s Farm aired on Monday. You can watch it here.

And this made me laugh:

*The Impossible Dream

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April 28, 2026

Flyover weather ‘n such

by chuckofish

We had quite a noisy Midwest thunderstorm Sunday night/early morning. Then we waited around on Monday for part II which was billed as much more serious…

The tornado sirens did go off in the afternoon and the view got a little dicey…

It was a drama-filled day. Some schools let out early! A second wave did come through in the evening. The boy reported hail in Wildwood.

And we had 60-70 mile an hour winds. But no rotation, so I am thankful. Phew. The sky was an insane golden-green when it was over. Midwest weather!

In the meantime I puttered around doing things like cleaning my refrigerator and watering my indoor plants. I also read some Conrad Richter, including his short story “As It Was in the Beginning”, written back in 1935 for the Saturday Evening Post. I was especially interested in it as it is one of his Southwest stories, based in part in Bent’s Fort and dealing with a Sante Fe trail trader. He is such a good writer ! But he was hardly ever on any best seller list. Times sure have changed in nearly 100 years! To think that nowadays we have to be careful not to buy AI generated slop from Amazon! I’ll stick to the old books, thank you.

I have a lot of books on my bedside bench…

…which I work at in a haphazard way. Frequently I fall asleep at 9:30 pm only to wake up at 3:00 am. Reading Dominion by Tom Holland is a lot at that time of night, so I keep the latest issue of Tabletalk magazine handy. When the prairie girls were visiting the weekend before last they each loaded a tote bag full of Tabletalks to take home. They love paging through them and “pretend reading” them. They are just the right size for little hands.

(Tabletalk is an outreach ministry of Ligonier Ministries.)

Well, just another day in flyover country! Happy Tuesday!

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April 27, 2026

As I dwell in the land of the living

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Our weather was perfect! The Iris continued to wow…

And even the Japanese Iris (my favorite) is blooming!

Praise the Lord!

I met with two old friends for a Diet Coke date at McD’s on Friday afternoon–until it was overrun with Middle Schoolers after school–some things never change. As daughter #2 commented, “That was such a part of my life back in the day!” Mr. Smith came over a little later and daughter #1 played Bluetooth DJ…

We had Chik-fil-a for dinner–perfect!

On Saturday I went to a gathering celebrating the Saint Louis Watercolor Society’s 30th anniversary. My friend Mirka had a painting there and we had fun catching up. Then we went to the Annex in Webster Groves to hear our friend Gary play with his Bluegrass band.

Always a good time! Live music! Wine on the patio!

On Sunday I went to church by myself and heard a good sermon on Joshua 12:1, 6-7, 24; 13:1-7. Later I was able to go to the bud’s lacrosse game in the afternoon and catch up with the boy on the sidelines.

It was a busy weekend, indeed, with more social activities than usual! Now onward to the week ahead.

Thank God for his faithfulness! Thank God the President of the U.S. is unharmed. (As Anne wrote: “I am not inclined to think of the violent deaths of public figures as some sort of mere cultural spectacle, sometimes justifiable if enough people are angry about “social” justice. As rosy fingered—more like cloudy and gray—dawn is creeping up over the horizon, it seems the first post lamenting the fact that the gunman did not succeed has already appeared.”) So put down your phone and go outside. Pull some weeds. Talk to your neighbor. Pet a nice dog. Watch an old movie all the way through. Read a book! Better yet, open your Bible!

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April 24, 2026

I am bound for the promised land

by chuckofish

It’s finally Friday!

Yesterday morning I was Face-timing with daughter #2 when Ida burst into song–a rousing rendition of the chorus to “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”. I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land! They sing it in her church, as do we in ours. It is nice to know this hymn, written in 1787 by an English Baptist minister, is still so popular! (Fun fact: It was also one of the most popular hymns sung by soldiers in the American Civil War.)

We sing the Getty version (minus the worship band):

I wonder what Ida would think of this Hank Williams variation on that old hymn?

…or Johnny Cash?

I bet she would like it. When I was her age (3) I loved Johnny’s “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town”–we had the 45 record. We are on the same page, Ida and I.

Well, those are my hymn notes for the day.

Have a good weekend! Sunday is the birthday of Kevin James (b. 1965) so I suggest watching one of his movies, such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) or Here Comes the Boom (2012). I admit, they’re faves of mine.

And here’s a pic of Mr. Smith, on duty as usual…

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April 23, 2026

Oh, the sun rolls down, big as a miracle/And fades from the Midwest sky

by chuckofish

Woohoo! Iris season!

One of my old administrative assistants gave me these Iris bulbs for my birthday one year because I always admired hers so much. The OM and I planted them and they have been bringing me joy ever since.

Wow.

And my sister (and DP) sent me this song:

Hope you enjoy! (It made me cry.)

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April 22, 2026

Mid-week musings

by chuckofish

What beautiful weather we have had this week! Lovely, lovely, lovely.

And we are lucky to be able to enjoy it. Remember this?

Everyone on stage for the Hawaiian act!

Grateful to be living in flyover country where you don’t have to try so hard to convince yourself you’re alive.

And happy birthday to John Waters (b. 1946):

It’s Wednesday–have a good one!

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April 21, 2026

The party’s over…

by chuckofish

…and I am back to my normal routine.

I’m not complaining. My normal routine is just fine. The Kirkwood Historical Review is at the printer and ready to go. My laundry is done and the house is back in order.

The year’s at the spring, 
And day’s at the morn; 
Morning’s at seven; 
The hill-side’s dew-pearl’d; 
The lark’s on the wing; 
The snail’s on the thorn; 
God’s in His heaven,
All’s right with the world!

–Robert Browning, Pippa’s Song

Daughter #3 is having outpatient surgery today, so we are praying for her, but all will be well.

“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

–Julian of Norwich

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April 20, 2026

A perfect weekend

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was, as anticipated, super special. The prairie fam rolled into town on Friday and DN barbecued hamburgers. It was great to have the house filled to the brim and chaotic.

We had so much fun at my birthday luncheon on Saturday!

My cup runneth over.

I made it to church on Sunday morning and so did the boy and the twins. We heard a good sermon on Joshua 10:40-43, 11:16-23–for the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel!–and sang good hymns. In the afternoon daughter #1 and I drove to our favorite winery in Hillsboro and drank wine in the beautiful sunshine and listened to live music–our favorite ’70s playlist. Is there anything better than that? The answer is not much.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

–I Chronicles 16:34

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April 17, 2026

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”*

by chuckofish

It’s Friday again! The prairie fam will arrive later today. Tomorrow daughters #1 and 2 are throwing me a birthday luncheon for my lady friends and granddaughters (plus Wes). They threw me a party when I turned 60–hard to believe that was 10 years ago!

Anyway, it will be a fun and busy weekend.

Here’s a birthday poem by Robert Service written on 16th January, 1949–“Seventy-and-five!”:

I thank whatever gods may be
For all the happiness that’s mine;
That I am festive, fit and free
To savour women, wit and wine;
That I may game of golf enjoy,
And have a formidable drive:
In short, that I’m a gay old boy
Though I be
Seventy-and-five.

My daughter thinks. because I’m old
(I’m not a crock, when all is said),
I mustn’t let my feet get cold,
And should wear woollen socks in bed;
A worsted night-cap too, forsooth!
To humour her I won’t contrive:
A man is in his second youth
When he is
Seventy-and-five.

At four-score years old age begins,
And not till then, I warn my wife;
At eighty I’ll recant my sins,
And live a staid and sober life.
But meantime let me whoop it up,
And tell the world that I’m alive:
Fill to the brim the bubbly cup –
Here’s health to
Seventy-and-five!

As a reformed Presbyterian, I have recanted my sins and I’ll admit I do live a rather staid and sober life, but I still know how to whoop it up. And I plan to this weekend!

And Mr. Smith was a naughty boy and thought it was very funny…

(BTW, the beautiful Iris is from Don’s garden–mine are still buds!)

*William Shakespeare

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