Everyone arrived home and we threw a party!
Just the basics…
The wee laddie found the knife drawer…
These two dudes are on the same wave length…
The hero worship begins…
This fashion maven is all about the books…
This little chair was just right…
After everyone went home and we cleaned up, we got in our jammies and watched White Christmas.
A perfect ending to a perfect day.
The other night when the OM and I came home from his office party and I was too keyed up to go to bed, I turned on TCM and watched Oliver Twist (1948).
Directed by David Lean, this British version of the Dickens novel does not sugar-coat the harsh realities of the life of poor Oliver, the orphan boy who runs away from a workhouse and meets a pickpocket on the streets of London. Taken in by the pickpocket, he joins the household of Fagin and his gang of young hoodlums. It is a ghastly story really and Bill Sykes is one of the the scariest characters in literature and he has always traumatized me. Once again, the scene where he beats Nancy to death moved me to turn off the TV.
This movie, made seventy years ago, packs quite a punch as social commentary–in black and white and without f-bombs and computer-generated violence. The acting is all top-notch, although Alec Guinness’s portrayal of Fagin drew quite a lot of criticism at the time as being anti-semitic.
(His make-up is a little much, but supposedly they were trying to make him look like the character as he appeared in George Cruikshank’s illustrations in the first edition of the novel, which you could argue were anti-semitic in the first place. But, you know, Fagin is just a fictional character in a book, a villain, and not a stereotype of all Jews.)
Once again, I have to say, they knew how to make movies back then.
So what then is my Friday movie pick? Maybe a Christmas movie…
We could then discuss which Christmas movie mom most reminds you of which dual personality…and don’t say Angela Lansbury!
Or we could all just do a crossword puzzle in honor of today being the 105th anniversary of the first crossword puzzle being published in the New York World. Unfortunately I am terrible at crossword puzzles. I think I would rather wash dishes. Or listen to Henry Mancini records.
Discuss among yourselves. Have a good weekend!
Today is my last day at work before taking off for my Christmas holiday! Yes, I took some vacation days not long ago, but my pilgrimage to the holy land was hardly restful! Now I am going for restful.
2. I am going to enjoy the fact that I have already wrapped all my presents…
3. I’ll watch Christmas movies…
4. I’ll make a grocery list for our party on Sunday…
5. And await the arrival of daughter #1, daughter #2 and DN this weekend.
BTW–Congratulations to daughter #2 👏👏👏 who was “hooded” yesterday! She is now officially a PhD. I think she looks like a Presbyterian minister.
The two PhD couple–adorable!
I will also note that it is time again for the TCM Remembers video:
It was news to me that Barbara Harris had died. She had quite a career, although most people nowadays probably have never heard of her. She appeared in a lot of stage productions on Broadway, including On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, which Lerner and Loewe wrote especially for her. She was in some good movies too, my favorite, of course, being A Thousand Clowns (1965). She was also in the original Freaky Friday (1976) with Jody Foster.
I also just heard that Penny Marshall died the other day. Although the New York Times chose to remember her as “the nasal-voiced co-star of the slapstick sitcom “Laverne & Shirley” and later the chronically self-deprecating director of hit films like “Big” and “A League of Their Own,” I will always remember her as the very talented director of one of my favorite movies, the wonderful Awakenings (1991).
I think I will watch it tonight and toast Penny Marshall, Barbara Harris and my lovely, talented and deeply intelligent daughter #2!
Onward to Christmas!
“Is not my word like fire, says the Lord!” (Jeremiah 23:29)
“Gather ‘round that fire this Advent season,” advises John Piper. “It is warm. It is sparkling with colors of grace. It is healing for a thousand hurts. It is light for dark nights.” In other words, read some scripture this Advent!
If you are setting up your nativity scene with shepherds, the first to appear on the scene, you can read Luke 2: 1-20:
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
When you are setting up your creche with Wise Men, you can read Matthew 2: 1-12:
2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
You will note that animals are not mentioned in the scripture. Even so, I always liked this song and this version by Sufjan Stevens is pretty straightforward.
I gave the wee babes the Fisher Price nativity set for their birthday.
Of course, Lottie loves to play with it in her precise, careful way. The wee laddie likes to throw the pieces and has no respect for the baby Jesus, despite my remonstrances to the contrary.
(I did not give him this sweater. But I definitely approve.)
Keep on reading your scripture in these final days of Advent! Only six days ’til Christmas!
How could he have considered taking Monday off? Monday was the diving board poised over the rest of the week. One walked out on the board, reviewed the situation, planned one’s strategy, bounced a few times to get the feel of things, and then made a clean dive. Without Monday, one simply bombed into the water, belly first, and hoped for the best.
–Jan Karon, At Home in Mitford
My Monday will be a breeze compared to my weekend. Weekends are when we working girls get everything done that needs to be done at home. And at this time of year it is not just the usual laundry, food shopping and home projects that pile up.
The boy came over on Friday night after work and hauled the tree in from the garage, put it in the stand and strung the lights.
After he went home, I hung the ornaments on the tree. Voila, beautiful.
On Saturday I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped more presents. Even though my kids are all grown up and moved away, I still seem to get them the same amount of presents I always have–even if half of them are estate sale finds and used books! And now we have a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law! Wrapping presents is back-breaking work–literally. I mean it’s not chopping wood, but it feels like it later, you know?
I also went to the store twice, got my hair cut and gabbed on the phone with daughters # 1 and 2. After I finished putting up the Christmas decorations, I collapsed and watched Circus World (1962) with John Wayne and Claudia Cardinale and enjoyed it immensely.
It features real acts from the Althof Circus, a very old family circus in Europe, which during WWII sheltered a number of Jewish refugees from the Nazis. (The owners were later honored for their work.) The acts which are highlighted are excellent and the clowns are genuinely funny, But they don’t overdue the circus acts. It has an engaging plot and so does not come off like a semi-documentary the way The Greatest Show on Earth (1951) does.
I went to church and then finished wrapping presents and cleaning the house. Phew. I was tired by the time we went over to the boy’s house to have dinner and see the wee babes who have been sick with RSV all week…
but are much better now. Sweet babies.
Now it is Monday and I have four busy days and then I’m off for Christmas! Hopefully I am finished with all the busy work and can focus on the the reason for the season!
*Charles Wesley, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
I am still getting Christmas decorations out and finding a place for them. Other things must be put away. Annie and Andy were quite accommodating.
This gang goes on the mantle.
But I am not so sure where this gang is going to go…
This weekend I will (hopefully) settle all these decorating issues.
These are issues I can deal with. Three years ago we were dealing with finding out the boy had cancer. Two years ago the twins were born at 27 weeks, 3 months premature, and their parents were camped out in the NICU. “Things happen,” as T.E. Lawrence said, “and we do our best to keep in the saddle.” We stayed in the saddle. We keep going.
Because there is always something to deal with. The ups and downs of business. The precarious-ness of jobs. They seem magnified at this time of year when we are so busy and so focused on the festivities of the season. What we really need to focus on, of course, is the fact that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten son of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
It is Advent, after all. We are waiting. Let’s take a deep breath (or two) and ponder these things in our heart.
Listen to some good music.
Read something uplifting.
“He knew that all was well, because he had done the best that he could, from day to day. He had been true to the light that had been given to him. He had looked for more. And if he had not found it, if a failure was all that came out of his life, doubtless that was the best that was possible. He had not seen the revelation of “life everlasting, incorruptible and immortal.” But he knew that even if he could live his earthly life over again, it could not be otherwise than it had been.”
―
This weekend I am going to finish my Christmas shopping, wrap a boatload of presents, decorate the big tree, get my house ready for visitors, go to church, and choose to be joyful.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (I Timothy 1: 15-17)
Well, we are well into Advent and it was good to be back at my home church yesterday. Last Sunday we pilgrims were celebrating the first Sunday in Advent at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. Established in 1899, it is the seat of the Bishop of Jerusalem of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Bishop gave the sermon (in English and in Arabic) and we sang good old hymns. It was a lovely service.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, daughter #1 was home and she helped me a lot getting out more Christmas stuff…
putting up the outside lights and buying and setting up our small tree in the dining room.
We also went to the church bazaar and to a couple of estate sales where we picked up some books, including the hard-to-find St. Louis Then and Now. She spotted it, grabbed my arm and stage-whispered, “Pick it up! Pick it up!” I knew then and there that daughter #1 has become a true estate sale-er with an eagle eye for the rare find!
We watched the 1951 A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim (the best version) and The Bishop’s Wife (1947).
The wee babes and their parents came over for tacos on Saturday night. In 2 1/2 weeks the babes have apparently made huge leaps and bounds in the talking department.
The switch really flipped in the little guy and he is so verbal now! When you pick him up, he says, “Down!” Amazing.
After daughter #1 left on Sunday, the OM and I girded our loins, donned our mittens and went to the Optimist lot to buy a big tree. We were successful and carted it home to the garage. Setting it up and decorating it will be a task for next weekend.
It’s good to be home.
*Hymns Ancient and Modern
Why do plumbing emergencies always happen on the weekend? Because they just do. C’est la vie.
The OM keeps an eye on the plumber as he snakes the sewer line.
Well, we had one such emergency on Saturday. The OM dealt with it mostly, since daughter #1 and I were out garage/rummage sale-ing when it occurred. Don’t worry, I helped with the clean-up on Sunday (following the longest church service in history–Pledge Sunday, All Saints Sunday and two baptisms all in one.)
The wee babes and their parents were in Kansas City, so I didn’t get to see them! Daughter #1 hurried back to Mid-MO so she could catch them as they paused in Columbia on their drive back Sunday afternoon. Sigh. I missed seeing them.
But I had a fun weekend, nevertheless. The bluegrass concert on Friday night was great. We checked out all the new Christmas stuff at Home Goods. We watched one of our favorite movies, The Man Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (1995), in which Hugh Grant stars and actually plays a nice guy for a change.
On Sunday afternoon, after vacuuming and cleaning up, I went through my “keep out” closet where I stow all my presents (like Babe Paley, I shop for Christmas presents all year long) and made lists of what I have for Christmas and what I still need to do.
It is time to get serious about the holidays.
And now it is Monday (!) and I’m back at the salt mine…
*Revelation 21:5
All the feels…
And, remarkably, no one got sick!
The diet starts next week.
“Out of all the things you could not have there were some that you could have and one of those was to know when you were happy and to enjoy all of it while it was there and it was good.”
–Ernest Hemingway, Islands in the Stream
So we’ve been pretty preoccupied these last few days. We’ll be back soon when we have a minute to reconnoiter.
Daughter #2 and her DH are heading back east today. Uncle Nate was a big hit.
Things will slow down a bit now. Everybody needs a rest.
Hope you enjoyed your Christmas long weekend!
dual personalities 