dual personalities

October 23, 2025

Barking through the moonlight

by chuckofish

Well, I went to the dentist yesterday for my semi-annual cleaning. This is always somewhat stressful as one always expects the worst. But as usual I got an A+ for my dental hygiene, and I left feeling good about myself. ⭐ 🙌 I also felt very mellow as the music which had been playing in the background during my visit was all late sixties hits–“House of the Rising Sun”, “Mellow Yellow”, “Daydream Believer”, “I’ve Got You, Babe”, and even “Like a Rolling Stone”. I do not expect to be jamming to Bob Dylan at the dentist, and I’m not complaining. But, yes, a bit surreal.

I finished My Beloved by Jan Karon and thoroughly enjoyed it. It may not be Middlemarch (another study of provincial life), but these days I could not handle that. I am quite satisfied with Jan Karon.

In other news, the boy came over and gassed up my car, so I am ready to head to the prairie today for a few days with daughter #2 and the prairie girls. It has been very blustery of late 💨💨 so let’s hope I don’t blow off the highway.

And here’s a poem about dogs by Billy Collins:

The neighbors’ dog will not stop barking.
He is barking at the fence, barking at nothing,
barking at the mosquitos settling on his fur.
He is barking through the moonlight,
barking at distant sirens,
barking at squirrels he can’t see.

(“Another Reason Why I Don’t Keep a Gun in the House”)

2 Comments
October 22, 2025

Double, double toil and trouble

by chuckofish

I hope you are enjoying beautiful fall weather. I have brought out my turtlenecks and sweaters–at long last–and am enjoying the cooler temps before actually turning on the heat.

Meanwhile, things are looking spooky over at the twins’ house.

And the prairie girls made lion masks…

They roared their terrible roars.

I guess Halloween is just around the corner!

And really, the nerve of some bears…

2 Comments
October 21, 2025

“Old friends looking up to watch the birds/ holding arms to climb a curb”*

by chuckofish

It was good to get the hell outta Dodge, as we so quaintly say in my neck of the woods, and visit the lovely state of Virginia and my lovely friends, Harriet and Allan. The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful. We were wined and dined and generally indulged. Of course, I did not take many pictures, but these will give you an idea…

We checked out their beach house down the road in Virginia Beach…

…and we checked out my old stomping grounds in Williamsburg–William & Mary–which was celebrating homecoming and having a reunion weekend, but we missed the rush.

We stepped inside my old church, Bruton Parish…

…and walked around Colonial Williamsburg…

We saw General Lafayette…

…and we took care to get a photo of daughter #1 with him to share with our DAR chapter since we have just celebrated the 200 anniversary of his visit to St. Louis.

I really enjoyed being back there and re-living one of the deeply spiritual moments of my life, running into John Wayne on Duke of Gloucester Street when he was in town filming the Perry Como Christmas Special in the fall of 1978.

The next day we ventured over to Yorktown on the anniversary of the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington and the French fleet during the American Revolutionary War. We were very impressed with their museum there…

…and the town is beautiful.

We especially enjoyed the fife and drum corps in the living history encampment…

I definitely recommend visiting these important historic sites!

We spent a lot of time talking (and drinking wine) as we ladies like to do, and that, of course, was the best part of our visit!

*Willie Nelson

2 Comments
October 20, 2025

The House Was Quiet and The World Was Calm*

by chuckofish

I am back from my travels. I had a fabulous time, but the return trip was arduous. It took about 12 hours to get home because we were delayed in Baltimore–updating the software on the plane (for real?) took much longer than anticipated–modern problems. It was taxing, but daughter #1 and I made it and she even managed to retrieve Mr. Smith from the kennel three hours after closing time.

He was happy to be home and he loved the tri-corner hat chew toy she brought him from Colonial Williamsburg.

Tomorrow I will have a longer post about our visit to Virginia, but for now, this is all I can do.

*Read the poem by Wallace Stevens here.

2 Comments
October 16, 2025

“The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in”*

by chuckofish

Daughter #1 and I are heading out today to visit my oldest friend in Virginia. Prayers for safe, smooth travels are appreciated!

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every
danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

–BCP

*Psalm 121:8

2 Comments
October 15, 2025

Songs to sing and tales to tell

by chuckofish

What would have been my 45th wedding anniversary is coming up this weekend. Forty-five years is a long time to be married to someone. It is 2/3 of my life!

We were children then who slowly but surely made our way in the world. We did okay for the most part. We had three children who are still on good speaking terms with each other and with me. They are solid, God-fearing citizens.

I am grateful.

Last night Bullitt (1967) was on TCM so I watched it. It wasn’t quite the same without the OM.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

–I Peter 5:6-7

2 Comments
October 14, 2025

Del Griffith! How the hell are ya?

by chuckofish

I watched the documentary about Canadian actor John Candy, I Like Me, which is available on Prime.

It is directed by Colin Hanks and he certainly got all the cool kids to participate, including his father, Tom Hanks, plus Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara and many more. There is lots of archival footage. A lot of good film clips. But no one says anything that is really a surprise, except for maybe Macaulay Culkin, who being a child at the time, had a different point of view. We learn that John’s father died when he was 5, and that it very much impacted his life. He wrestled with his early death for his entire life. But aren’t we all coping with something? Coping never goes well when you self-medicate with alcohol and over-indulgence. And I think everyone already knows that Hollywood is a terrible place and it will chew you up and spit you out. Ultimately, the film just leaves you with a sad feeling.

Thankfully we can cheer ourselves up with a John Candy movie…

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

3 Comments
October 13, 2025

La-dee-da, la-dee-da

by chuckofish

How was your weekend?

It was a beautiful weekend here in flyover country–a little warm for October, but I’m not complaining. It was perfect for sitting outside at the winery, which daughter #1 and I did after our DAR meeting in the morning. The meeting was pleasant also–I do so love talking SEC football with a Crimson Tide fan, which I did while eating breakfast.

Anyway, we enjoyed the musical entertainment at the winery–a guy singing the 1970s playlist, which must be what boomers who go to wineries want to hear. And I’m okay with that.

At church we heard a good sermon on Philippians 2:12-18:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Work it out.

Rein it in.

Offer it up.

The communion hymn was Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me, which gets me every time. Once again I asked myself, why do I wear mascara to church?

We also sang this classic from 1787, but with the traditional American tune, which I really like:

After church, since there was no adult ed, we went to the Sunny Street Cafe for brunch. The twins are very grown up now and well behaved, although once they have scarfed down their pancakes and/or French toast, they are not ones to linger over a second cup of coffee and more conversation. C’est la vie.

I was sad to hear that Diane Keaton has died. She was a favorite of mine. She had some class–a rare thing in Hollywood. She liked turtlenecks, she eschewed plastic surgery, and like Woody Allen said, “She prefer[ed] to look old.” Apparently no one knew she was ailing. She died privately and with no hoopla. Guess it’s time to dig out Annie Hall (1977). La-dee-da, la-dee-da.

Have a good week! Be faithful and fruitful!

4 Comments
October 10, 2025

It’s Friday again–can you believe it?

by chuckofish

I just want to say that I am so happy that my 2 1/2 year-old granddaughter sounds just like her old lady Mamu:

I mean is that great or what?

Have a good weekend! Sit outside if you can, go to an estate sale, toast absent friends, pet a nice dog…

…eat a donut…

…and praise God from whom all blessings flow.

2 Comments
October 9, 2025

What are you reading?

by chuckofish

My copy of Jan Karon’s 15th Mitford novel arrived on Tuesday and I jumped right in.

Jan Karon is 88 years old and when I heard that a new book was coming out, I was a little surprised. I mean it’s been eight years since To Be Where You Are was published. I thought she was retiring at that point–at 80 years old! But, my goodness, on she goes. Having just finished a vaguely Christian novel with a cutesy title (The Bitter End Birding Society) written in that grating style we see so much in modern fiction–the type seemingly aiming to impress someone’s 8th grade English teacher–I can say Karon’s novel is a welcome relief.

Here’s a review in the Gospel Coalition.

As the kettle burst into its chosen key of C, he felt relief flow in.

‘Soli Deo gloria!’ he exclaimed to the four walls. Gus jumped off the sofa and ran to the kitchen to look him in the eye. The little guy was grinning.

8 Comments