dual personalities

September 24, 2026

Another history lesson

by chuckofish

Yesterday I worked on an article about Hiram Wheeler Leffingwell, one of the founders of Kirkwood. Did you know that he was also one of the movers and shakers of St. Louis who promoted the idea of establishing a large public park–Forest Park–in the mid-19th century? Well, he was.

There was quite a bit of opposition to his proposal from land holders and taxpayers and it took five years to see the plan through. The park was half the size as initially imagined, but in 1874 Governor Silas Woodson signed three acts establishing Forest Park as well as O’Fallon Park on the north side and Carondelet Park on the south.

There is no statue of Leffingwell in the park, but in the early 1990s Forest Park Forever did create an award named after him, given annually to a person who has devoted considerable time, talent or resources to restoring and maintaining the park. I guess that’s something.

Well, he was indeed quite a fellow. After retiring from the real estate business and serving a term as a U.S. Marshall, he retired to Bradenton, Florida where he died in 1897.

I also went to my public library to return some books and while perusing the stacks I found All About Me! by Mel Brooks. I am presently reading about his happy childhood in Brooklyn during the depression. He is 100 years old now, the same age as my mother would be. I am enjoying it. I have known a lot of guys in my life like Mel, i.e. funny Jewish guys.

“A lot of people think that comedy and getting laughs and applause is making up for an unhappy childhood. Au contraire! I think it’s just the opposite. All I can say is that in my case comedy was keeping the joy of a happy childhood going strong. I definitely wanted a continuum of the love that I got from my mother, brothers, and aunts and uncles.”

So a toast tonight to Hiram Leffingwell and to Mel Brooks! L’chaim!

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September 23, 2026

The Beginning of Knowledge

by chuckofish

Annie Dillard died. She was a favorite of my youth.

“Why are we reading, if not in hope of beauty laid bare, life heightened and its deepest mystery probed? Can the writer isolate and vivify all in experience that most deeply engages our intellects and our hearts? Can the writer renew our hope for literary forms? Why are we reading if not in hope that the writer will magnify and dramatize our days, will illuminate and inspire us with wisdom, courage, and the possibility of meaningfulness, and will press upon our minds the deepest mysteries, so that we may feel again their majesty and power? What do we ever know that is higher than that power which, from time to time, seizes our lives, and reveals us startlingly to ourselves as creatures set down here bewildered? Why does death so catch us by surprise, and why love? We still and always want waking.” (The Writing Life)

But now I tend to think she is another of those women writers who became famous too soon, gathering accolades and awards, believing the praise. Eudora Welty praised Dillard in her NYT review of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, but Welty also admitted “not (knowing) what she’s talking about” at times and that her writing “leaves something to be desired.” That something was what Welty called “straight narrative,” the clarity of “point, direction, and shape”. Indeed.

I liked her because, like Thoreau and Buechner, she told us to pay attention to God’s creation. But paying attention is not enough. You have to know who to thank and, sadly, Dillard lost her faith along the way. I could go on, but it would probably be presumptuous. I am going to re-read some of her books and see what I think 30 years later.

By the way, I re-read Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry and it is terrific. I still highly recommend it.

Yesterday I read the last of the Psalms (150) in my Bible reading plan and I am on to Proverbs.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Amen.

2 Comments
September 22, 2026

This and that

by chuckofish

My yard is looking pretty dry these days after weeks of heat alerts and despite exorbitant water bills.

However, Don’s garden still shows signs of life, both of the flora and fauna variety.

I went to my new Bible Study yesterday and to the women’s book club at church last night, which is way over my daily quota of human interactions. But I believe in pushing beyond the limits of my comfort zone occasionally.

We discussed the book Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism by Leland Vittert.

I read it because someone whose opinion I respect loved it. It is an amazing true story and it takes place in St. Louis, so that was interesting, but I didn’t love it. But we had a good discussion of the book and I’m glad I went.

I related to this story about Our Season with the Foxes, because I’ve also had foxes in my yard…but, alas, no trail cam.

This is a really good response to women who think they regret having children (a hot topic these days). “There aren’t that many things in this life that matter to eternity. Generally speaking, a career doesn’t, travel doesn’t, being free to eat a good lunch doesn’t, having nice furniture and a pretty house doesn’t. But motherhood does. The sacrifices we make here will echo far beyond us, and the joys of it will follow us to our deathbed and beyond.”

And here’s Wes discovering his handsome face in the doll dresser mirror.

Have a great Tuesday! Enjoy the cooler temps!

3 Comments
September 21, 2026

Come ye weary, heavy laden

by chuckofish

We had another very hot weekend, but they say we’re in for cooler temps this week. Let’s hope so. Today is the first day of fall, after all!

The gutter guys (moonlighting firemen) came on Friday to wash my windows and I had an interesting conversation with the head dude prompted by the picture of John Wayne in my kitchen.

This happens not infrequently. Kindred souls, you know. It periodically restores my faith in humanity.

I went to Mudd’s Grove in the afternoon to do a little research and then I enjoyed wine time with daughter #1 at our favorite local watering hole. I also enjoyed therapy time with Mr. Smith who was newly shampooed.

On Saturday I decided not to attend the Greentree Festival parade in my flyover town, instead planning to go to the bud’s soccer game, but I was foiled in my efforts when there was absolutely no place to park in all of Shaw Park. (There was also some art fair going on and half of Clayton was blocked off.) So I headed over to daughter #1’s house and we went to two estate sales in her neighborhood. They were both in old houses where the people had obviously lived for many years. This is the kind of estate sale we like best. Fascinating. We found a few things and spent less than $20. Afterwards we went to the new hip restaurant in her neighborhood–Cibo–the one in a renovated gas station, for a yummy lunch. Then I went home to recover from walking around in the 95+ degree sunshine.

Later she came over to my house and we went to the Greentree Festival for wine time and live music. We parked in my friend Carla’s driveway and walked over–again very hot! It was fun to people watch, but we didn’t stay too long. We hoofed it back to Carla’s where she and her husband gave us glasses of ice water and a cool house to cool off in. I did not go to the Pig Pickin’ dinner at church that night, opting to stay home and watch A Mighty Wind (2003). Having just watched No Direction Home (22005) documentary, it was doubly hilarious.

On Sunday I met the boy and the twins at church. As usual, the music was wonderful and the entire congregation sang with gusto. The choir was in great form as was our resident violinist. We sang my favorite hymn (Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy) and Lottie’s favorite (Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me). The sermon on I Corinthians 1:10-17 about Christian unity was very good, as was our Sunday School class, continuing on the Union with Christ theme. We were all energized when we left church. Imagine that.

I went home and worked on my blogpost and did the homework for my Monday afternoon Bible Study. I went back to church Sunday night for a presentation about our mission work in Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, and around the world. Amazing work being done by God! When I got home, it started to rain and the temperature dropped.

Stay positive. Choose joy.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32) 

2 Comments
September 18, 2026

Look up

by chuckofish

Daughter #1 was going to write a post for today, but she got busy and didn’t*. So here is some food for thought from Mike Woodruff:

I believe my job as a pastor would be easier if people saw two things that were common 100 years ago but quite hidden today: 1) cemeteries and 2) the night sky. 

When I was driving home last night from my community group Bible study–it is dark now at 8 p.m.–the moon was very bright and beautiful and I noted it. We do tend to forget.

Why is that?

Have a good weekend! Look up.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.

–John 10:27-30

*Oh wait, she did–see below!

1 Comment
September 18, 2026

It’s the doghouse for me.

by marycompton

I said I would write a blogpost for today. My mother reminded me. I sat down to do it, got distracted and didn’t do it. Then, her final reminder came after my phone-appointed bed time when alerts about new messages are not displayed. Sigh. Hopefully this cute artwork will brighten your Friday.

1 Comment
September 17, 2026

A circle at the fireside

by chuckofish

It came to my attention while perusing old blog posts that it was ten years ago this week that the boy went to Indianapolis to have a second surgery for his cancer at Indiana University Hospital. The OM and I went and spent the night there also. Once again, time flies. A lot has happened in those intervening years, things change. But some things do not change. And that’s a good thing.

Here’s an old-fashioned, and some would say, sappy poem, but it expresses my feeling very well. It’s “The Stick-Together Families” by Edgar Guest:

I will also note that this week marks the fifteenth anniversary of this blog! Back when I started it, daughter #1 was living and working in Washington DC, the boy was unmarried and daughter #2 was still in college! The OM and I were working stiffs. Thank you to all who continue to read the blog. L’chaim!

And just as a reminder…

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt, crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.

–RWE

4 Comments
September 16, 2026

I walked abroad

by chuckofish

Today we toast T.E. Hulme (1883-1917), an English critic and poet who, through his writings on art, literature and politics, had a notable influence upon modernism. Hulme volunteered as an artilleryman in 1914 and served with the Honourable Artillery Company and later the Royal Marine Artillery in  France and Belgium. He was killed by a shell in West Flanders.

A touch of cold in the Autumn night –
I walked abroad,
And saw the ruddy moon lean over a hedge
Like a red-faced farmer.
I did not stop to speak, but nodded,
And round about were the wistful stars
With white faces like town children.

We are in the middle of another hot week in the 90s, so I won’t be doing much walking abroad! All the better for catching up on my Bible study homework and other reading. I am also re-watching No Direction Home Bob Dylan, the 2005 documentary by Martin Scorsese, and really enjoying it.

Have a good Wednesday! Read some poetry, re-watch a good movie, listen to some Bob.

(The painting is by Atkinson Grimshaw, a Victorian artist.)

4 Comments
September 14, 2026

Morning by morning new mercies I see*

by chuckofish

My weekends seem busy, I think, because my weekdays are so quiet. But the lazy days of summer are coming to an end. My calendar is filling up (relatively speaking).

I went to a double funeral on Friday at my old church–for a devoted married couple who had died within weeks of each other. I mostly knew Ron who was 93 years old, a retired army major who had served in Korea, Germany and two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and many other commendations and badges. He was also a devoted churchman who served as our Senior Warden more than once. He gave the blessing at the boy’s Eagle Scout court of honor and also before dinner at his wedding reception. He was a fixture in our life for 25 years at Grace Church. I thought it was great that all three scripture readings contained a military reference: Exodus 17:8b-11; Ephesians 6:10-17; Matthew 8: 5-10, 13.

Later in the day I celebrated daughter #1’s birthday with the boy and his family at her house.

Mr. Smith kind of lost his mind over the excitement of having everyone in his house…

…but we all had fun and Dewey’s pizza!

Saturday morning I went to a DAR meeting–my first as the chapter chaplain! Daughter #1 and I went to our favorite winery in Hillsboro afterwards (as is our tradish) for a much-needed refreshment.

It was lovely to sit in the sunshine and listen to live music and drink the local wine.

On Sunday I got up and met the boy and the twins at church. We are back on the fall schedule. We had a baptism–the Assistant Pastor’s son, Asa Keller (named after guess who)–and that was fun. I love when the whole congregation sings “Jesus Loves Me” as the pastor carries the baby up and down the middle aisle. The Assistant Pastor got a little weepy quoting I Kings 15:9-24: “The heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days.”

We heard a good sermon by our Senior Pastor on I Corinthians1:1-9–wonderful exegesis on the “Who do you think you are?” theme. The congregation sang with verve and vigor and I felt joyful. Then we all went to Sunday School. I chose the “Union with Christ” class taught by a Covenant Seminary professor. It was so good! I love being in a class where the teacher assumes an intelligent audience who is there to learn. Woohoo! What a treat.

Have a great Monday!

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

*Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

3 Comments
September 11, 2026

This day, whate’er the Fates decree/ Shall still be kept with joy by me

by chuckofish

Today is daughter #1’s birthday! Although September 11 has been ruined to some extent by the heinous events of 2001, we will endeavor to celebrate anyway. Because if anyone deserves a party, it is she.

This day, whate’er the Fates decree,

Shall still be kept with joy by me:

This day then let us not be told,

That you are sick, and I grown old;

Nor think on our approaching ills,

And talk of spectacles and pills.

To-morrow will be time enough

To hear such mortifying stuff.

Yet, since from reason may be brought

A better and more pleasing thought,

Which can, in spite of all decays,

Support a few remaining days:

From not the gravest of divines

Accept for once some serious lines.

–Jonathan Swift, “Stella’s Birthday, March 13, 1727”

3 Comments