With the start of Spring, Mr. Smith and I have begun a daily or every other day constitutional around the neighborhood. We stop about every five to six feet for some sniffing. I know it is good for dogs but it makes a walk a slow process.
Unfortunately, with the extra daylight, we are not the only people taking evening walks. A steady stream of people walk up and down our street, adjoining streets, in Downtown Clayton. Somehow, Mr. Smith is affronted by them all and barks and jumps on and off the chair, running in rage circles around the living room. It’s enough to drive one mad. As a result, I’ve started moving the chair away from the window and now, he sits under this chair, chewing my sandal to deal with this betrayal.
I’ve accepted that my sandal is now a chew toy. I hope you have quieter evenings ahead for the weekend. I am looking forward to minimal plans before a busy few weeks!!
We have known him for quite a few years now and we love him a lot. I won the lottery with both my daughter- and son-in-law and I am eternally grateful. We won’t be able to celebrate together for a couple of weeks, but he knows I will be thinking of him today.
Since next week is Holy Week, I started watching Peter and Paul, the mini series from 1981 starring Anthony Hopkins. It is a faithful adaption of the book of Acts. I remember watching it on my little black and white TV back in 1981 and being quite moved by it and also struck by how little I actually knew about either Peter or Paul. Robert Foxworth, who played Peter, was okay, but Anthony Hopkins, who played Paul, is indelibly inscribed on my memory.
I think I subsequently read the book of Acts as a result of my initial viewing and that I was amazed by the things in it. (Also the things that were not in the Bible, i.e. Peter being crucified upside down.) Anyway, I recommend the mini series as part of your Lenten viewing.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (II Timothy 4:7-8)
Now I have to catch up on my II Thessalonians reading for my women’s Bible study. But first, here is a new Bluegrass rendition of a favorite hymn by William Cowper:
Spring is officially here–how did that happen? The year is zooming by per usual. I moved some of my plants into the Florida Room over the weekend. Some of them have gotten really big! I exhausted myself.
I got through my hospital visits and a list of other pressing to-do list items. The terrible week ended and I survived. Also, the twins came over to spend the night and we all survived that. I didn’t sleep much, but c’est la vie. We went through some boxes full of their Dad’s old stuff and that is always fascinating to them. Our Dad had baseball cards?! We found some cool matchbox cars for the bud to take home and some 30-year old candy which we threw away. I got permission to throw away some old Lego kit boxes (empty). I am making progress.
The bud was up to his old tricks…
Those bags of Beanie Babies never cease to amuse.
On Saturday I caught up on things at home and then daughter #1 came over and helped with some lingering computer issues. Then we went to Glen Echo and sat on the patio and drank a bottle of wine. (I deserved it.)
At church we heard a sermon on the “Crumbly Bread Covenant” in Joshua 9:1-27–rich ground for reflection on the nature of truth, discernment, and the dangers of falling prey to deception. We sang good hymns. Our adult ed class continued on the Westminster Catechism–#s 39-82, basically breaking down the 10 Commandments. The boy and twins came over to my house after church and Sunday School and we had bagels and fruit salad. I enjoyed our mealtime conversation about Calvinist doctrine and the fact that God is both a just God and a merciful God, but that we all deserve his wrath.
Then we sat outside for awhile…
…but they were very disappointed because the Raptor wasn’t sufficiently charged for them to drive. They fooled around with some old favorites, but…
Heavy sigh. Well, hopefully the next time they come over I’ll be better prepared. We went inside and they spent an eventful hour playing with Lego while I talked to the boy.
Well, I am sorry to see old Chuck Norris go, but the memes and tweets have been (not surprisingly) hilarious.
The sun was out yesterday–so big win! I went to Hobby Lobby and bought several craft kits to do with the twins when they spend the night tonight. We will probably watch a movie–maybe How the West Was Won (1962) if they haven’t seen it yet.
This is one of the best opening credit sequences of all time!
This is a about the other book that shaped America (next to the Bible). If you haven’t read it recently, I suggest you do. It is wonderful.
“This hill, though high, I covet to ascend; The difficulty will not me offend. For I perceive the way to life lies here. Come, pluck up, heart; let’s neither faint nor fear. Better, though difficult, the right way to go, Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”
Today is going to be a very busy, stressful day, as is tomorrow. But what ho, it is the bell and it tolleth for me. Have a good one–watch an old movie, read an old book, let’s neither faint nor fear.
Well, we’ve had a cold snap and all the daffodils are bent over and sad and I had a digital nightmare explosion on Monday so I have been clawing my way back from that. Ugh. The worst. I tell myself I am done with the internet, but there is no escaping it. So we soldier on.
Meanwhile the twins and the prairie girls are enjoying spring break (remember that?).
Life barrels on like a runaway train.
I am content.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
How was your weekend? Mine was springlike until it was not. The magnolia trees are in full bloom and everyone is worried that the cold snap will kill/damage everything. But this literally happens every year. At least it didn’t snow as initially predicted! (But we did have a tornado watch!)
Daughter #1 came over on Friday afternoon and set up my new printer for me. I am good to go after months of frustration with my old printer. We celebrated with wine time and Chik-fil-a for dinner.
Our DAR meeting on Saturday was skillfully run, as usual, by daughter #1. We had a wonderful lecture by our friend Esley Hamilton about all the architectural jewels of St. Louis that were torn down before 1904.
For instance, this house–the “Cracker Castle”–built in 1868 for Jonathan Pierce who produced hardtack during the Civil War, was heavily damaged by a tornado in 1896 and as a result was demolished soon afterwards. It is sad that so little actually remains from the nineteenth century (although the above monstrosity was no great loss).
Saturday night I watched The Quiet Man (1952) in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
Mr. Smith harumphed a bit at the Irish accents, but he still thought it was pretty great.
Sunday I went to church and heard a fine sermon on Joshua 8:1-35–I have really enjoyed Joshua. It seems very timely. Our final hymn was…
…and I cried…and my mascara ran.
Is this what William Cowper meant when he wrote:
Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord, who rises With healing in His wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.
I went to the Westminster Catechism class afterwards and it was terrific. We went through #22-38, led by a ruling elder (who is also an attorney). It all makes so much sense! I think I finally understand what effectual calling is!
Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
This morning I go in for my annual bone density exam, kicking off two weeks of doctor visits and tests. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us.” (I Thess. 5:23-25)
Hello, readers. As I write this my crazy pup is running in actual circles around the dining room table. It’s either the zoomies or puppy crack. TBD.
Anyway, it is Friday again. I have a DAR meeting tomorrow, so lots of stress, followed by lots of relief. I am grateful that my term comes to an end in May and that someone has agreed to take over for me. Praise hands ALL AROUND.
I don’t know about where you live, but Spring has sprung, as they say, here.
Of course, it may snow on Sunday. Given the weather prediction track record this year, I’m not holding my breath. Anyway, as I wrap this up, I invite you to listen to my current favorite song on Joy FM. If you’ve already done your makeup, I’ve warned you.
