family | dual personalities

June 12, 2017

“A wet knot stays tied longer’n a dry knot”*

by chuckofish

The realization that daughter #2 is getting married in three weeks (!) really hit me this weekend. Most things are taken care of and all, but a lot of people will be descending on our flyover town and–wow–it is a real thing.

Anyway, the OM got moving on his patio project and with the indispensable help of the boy, built a little paved space for the barbecue where there had previously been some bushes.

I worked in the yard, pulling vines etc and generally wore myself out. It is a lot easier to do that these days.

I also started re-reading Jan Karon’s most recent book, the appropriately titled, Come Rain or Come Shine–about Dooley’s country wedding on the lawn, which is surprisingly similar to daughter #2’s planned nuptials. (Hers is not a potluck and there is no bull in the field, but…)

‘Lord,’ he said aloud as he switched on the ignition, ‘may it please you to give us a wonderful day with good weather. That said, Lord–and I mean this sincerely–your will be done.’

I am committed to Father Tim’s attitude. I am not going to worry about the weather, there being no point. Que sera sera.

The wee babes came over for dinner with their parents on Saturday night.

The twins turned 6 months old this weekend, but adjusted for preemies, they are like 3 month-olds. They have come so far! We are so thankful.

Have a good week!

*Willie in Come Rain or Come Shine

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May 16, 2017

“Late one night when the wind was still Daddy brought the baby to the window sill”*

by chuckofish

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Well, I’m feeling a little down now that everyone has gone home and my house is empty again. We had a busy weekend full of babies and family gatherings and godparents and sitting on the patio and Mother’s Day.

But, in addition to the baptisms and Mother’s Day brunch, the girls had their own meetings to attend and they accomplished quite a bit. So it was a fun weekend and a successful few days.

Lovely, lovely, lovely. A new week–onward and upward.

A new sign at church

*Mary Chapin Carpenter, Halley Came to Jackson

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May 15, 2017

A bushel and a peck

by chuckofish

Just a sample of all the goodness that was my weekend. The daughters (and Nate) head home tonight, so I’ll have time for a longer post tomorrow…In the meantime, enjoy your Monday!

2 Comments

April 24, 2017

“Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!”*

by chuckofish

The weather was pretty great this weekend–especially on Sunday–so I did a lot of yard work. Daughter #1 gave me a nifty kneeler/garden seat so I wanted to try it out and it was great–my aging back thanks her!

I also took a lot of breaks on the patio (my allergies were acting up) and watched the birds who were all very busy. I was definitely cramping the style of a Cardinal couple who seemed to be nest building in this bush.

Ah, the wonders of nature–you don’t have to look far–they’re right in your own backyard!

The wee babes came over for my birthday on Friday night and I got a lot of baby time, especially with the wee bud who was wearing tiny overalls.The OM got Lottie and she passed out. (Was it his thermo-nuclear death breath?)

And I got presents too!

One such present was Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) which my dual personality gave me. It is a film from New Zealand,

…and we enjoyed it very much when we watched it Saturday night. So if you are looking for something different (and PG rated), this is the film for you! It is funny and charming and shot entirely in beautiful New Zealand.

I also got a start on putting together the wedding invitations for daughter #2’s upcoming nuptials. (Hat tip to daughter #1 who called the Service Bureau to double check the correct order of rsvp card/direction card/reply envelope/invitation!)

Since we had worked hard in the yard, the OM and I treated ourselves to our first trip of the season to Ted Drewe’s.

It is the simple pleasures in life that are the best, right?

Now it is back to the salt mine. Have a good week!

*Isaiah 2:5

4 Comments

April 20, 2017

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

by chuckofish

Today is my birthday and at my age this is just not the Big Thing it used to be. But it is still a thing and should be noted.

Time passes and I have to remind myself that I am the mother of three adult, self-supporting children and a grandmother, a wife of going on 37 years, and the director of an institute…because often I still feel like an insecure 17-year old.

I’ve come a long way, Pilgrim…but then again, not so far.

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So out with the old mantra (Hope for the best, expect the worst) and in with the new: God has blessed me and I am happy.

*Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

5 Comments

April 10, 2017

All glory, laud and honor To thee, Redeemer King

by chuckofish

We had a beautiful flyover spring weekend–the temperatures soaring into the 80s on Sunday–perfect for patio sitting. No bugs, very little humidity. Just right.

Even the OM felt moved to get busy, hanging up this cool welcome sign on the back of the house, which I gave him umpteen years ago.

My friends took me out for an early birthday lunch, venturing out to St. Albans in Franklin County where we had lunch at Head’s Store, built in 1892.

After a yummy meal we stopped at an antique mall on the way home for some browsing. A perfect afternoon.

At church on Palm Sunday a sizable congregation processed from outside to inside the church with palm fronds and a loyal crew of lay readers read the Passion of our Lord Jesus according to Saint Matthew. I think there was less mayhem than usual jockeying for position at the microphone and, with the exception of my friend Chris as Pontius Pilate, there was less method acting. I was able to rise above the fray, because I am now that old lady with the red half glasses who as the Narrator sets the pace at the lectern. This pleases me no end.

So now, onward to Holy Week.

Let Thy blood in mercy poured,
Let Thy gracious body broken,
Be to me, O gracious Lord,
Of Thy boundless love the token.

–Presbyterian Hymnal, #362, John Brownlie

Sunday night the boy and his wee family came over for spaghetti. The wee babes continue to be the perfect end-of-weekend entertainment. (At least their grandparents think so.)

Have a great week!

5 Comments

April 4, 2017

“Oh quickly disappearing photograph in my more slowly disappearing hand”*

by chuckofish

Today is the birthday of our pater, who would be 95. He died 25 years ago.

As I grow older, I realize that I take after him much more than I had previously thought. Although I was much (so much) closer to my mother, we were not as alike as my sister and she were. I was always the shy one, and my father was like that. Also, my mother was the really intelligent one of the pair. My father and I were/are just smart enough to impress some people.

My father was a historian who had his heroes, as do I. His tended to be military heroes, like Napoleon and MacArthur and Grant. It would be interesting now to talk to him about them. What was the appeal of Bonaparte? (He was a collector, among many things, of Napoleon memorabilia.)

I think my father would have really enjoyed the job that I have now, working at a big university in a small school where lots of interesting, intelligent people come every day to learn about interesting things without the pressure of grades or homework and the interference of parents and peers. It is the perfect place for people with minds like ours–curious about many things, but without the desire/drive to go too far. I finished my master’s thesis in great part to show him that I could (he didn’t finish his). I’m not sure if he noticed.

Well, self-knowledge is a good thing. It keeps you humble and it can keep you out of trouble.

When I toast ANCIII tonight–only once because he was, after all, a terrific alcoholic–I will also toast the wonderful Doris Day, who turned 95 yesterday. You go, girl!

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P.S. I Watched The Outsiders (1983) and the book is better. Big Surprise.

*”Portrait of My Father as a Young Man” by Rainer Maria Rilke

8 Comments

March 28, 2017

“Happiness is singing together when day is through And happiness is those who sing with you”

by chuckofish

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What a whirlwind of a long weekend I had! Daughters #1 and #2 were in town and we had fun, fun, fun gabbing away, driving all over town, checking off things on our wedding to-do list, culminating in a lovely, lovely bridal shower hosted by my sweet friends, Carla and Becky.

As you can see, even Lottiebelle attended!

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It was a lovely day and weekend. Sigh.

And tomorrow the little guy goes home!

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“Look, Mom, no tube in my nose!”

Here’s to the little guy going home and to the daughters’ next visit in May!

*You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, “Happiness”

4 Comments

March 27, 2017

“We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go”*

by chuckofish

It was a busy weekend. I am back in work mode, so I’ll recap tomorrow.

*Edith Cherry (1872-1897)

5 Comments

March 24, 2017

Pick a little, talk a little

by chuckofish

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Things are pretty busy around here what with daughter #2 and I checking things off our to-do list right and left and holding babies. Daughter #1 is arriving today and we have a full calendar of events including lots more baby holding and a bridal shower tomorrow!

Have a good weekend!

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