On this day in 1874 this cartoon by Thomas Nast appeared, featuring the first notable appearance of the Republican elephant.
The Republican Party has changed quite a bit over the years, but I am happy to see it become a real diverse coalition of Americans–the people that make this country great. Truly, the 2024 election is the “revenge of the working class American.” They’re not Nazis; they’re not garbage. Indeed.
And hey,
It rained all day Monday and all night–sometimes with gale-force winds. It continued to rain most of the day Tuesday. Our front yard is a pond. If it was colder we could skate on it. Fortunately it is still in the 60s.
Well, Anne made me laugh yesterday. Especially this:
And I liked this post about ten things political leaders can’t do.
Remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose…’
(Isaiah 46:9-10)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Do you need to preach truth to yourself today? This post addresses this: “I don’t know about you, but despite my best efforts not to get mired down in the election bruhaha, a sense of dread has seeped into my psyche as the day draws near. From political texts blowing up my phone to interminable campaign commercials zipping by as I fast-forward past them and even comic strips, I can’t escape the ever-present signs that the event is barreling down on us.”
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
–Martin Luther
(The painting is by Maxfield Parrish)
We enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend–how about you? I was confused on Friday because it seemed like Saturday, because of Halloween, but what ho. It is the bell and it tolleth for me.
On Friday the OM and I got new phones and switched carriers. Earlier in the week we also switched from U-verse to something else. Although this was all very stressful–and it took months to figure it all out–we were proud of ourselves for doing it. Another box checked off. ✅ I celebrated with daughter #1 at our favorite local hangout.
Wine and French Fries–we know what we like, okay? After that, I watched She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) in memory of my father and my great old friend Dick (WWII Guy) who both died on October 31. I loved it as always, especially after just being there in Monument Valley last month.
Sunday morning I enjoyed that extra hour although I still woke up at my usual time–so make that 5:00 am. We sang good hymns in church and the twins controlled their depravity like good Calvinists. We read about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus in Sunday School and learned a few new words: persecution and conversion. Everyone enjoyed the wallking-to-Damascus-wearing-a-blindfold exercise. The bud called out–“It’s a conga line!”
Also, the little boy who always ushers with his dad and hands out the bulletins, said, “You look beautiful this morning!” I mean, I know his dad tells him to say that to all the old ladies, but it makes me smile nevertheless. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make your day.
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I’ll stand
Happy November 1! We had a wild storm on Wednesday night with the tornado sirens going off at 2:30 a.m. Wild! Nothing really happened–just some much needed rain–but it was a very dramatic start to Halloween.
I had to share the Halloween cuteness of this little witch wearing the cape her great-grandmother made.
Her big sister wore her cousin’s hand-me-down unicorn costume (made by her aunt) to her pre-school parade. But then at night she wore the vintage witch costume…windy much? Good job hanging on to that hat!
Baby sis was a hand-me-down dinosaur…
The twins were a policeman…
and some Disney villainess…
Meanwhile the ancient mulberry tree finally came down yesterday.
It was quite a process. Multiple large trucks and machines.
This tree was huge! They are coming back today to take away the giant pieces.
Daughter #1 came over after work with Mr. Smith and had dinner with us. Then we turned off the lights and watched several Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes. No one ever trick-or-treats on our quiet cul-de-sac!
Onward now to Thanksgiving!
*James Whitcomb Riley
On Tuesday I tried twice to vote early, but both times there was nowhere to park within a reasonable distance, so I passed.
Yesterday I got up super early and drove over to the little county library near me and found a place to park where I only had to walk a quarter mile to get there. And then stand in line for an hour. Zut alors. But it’s all good. I will say the people working there had their act together and things moved right along.
Well, I did my civic duty. ☑️ Go, me!
Today we toast the wonderful actor John Candy (1950-1994) on his birthday. Let’s all do the Mess Around in his memory:
In an ironic twist, Harry Houdini died on this day in 1926 from peritonitis (swelling of the abdomen), possibly related to appendicitis and possibly related to punches to his abdomen he had received about a week and a half earlier.
The world is more than we know.
And, oh hey, the Christmas cactus has buds!
Have a good day! Happy Reformation Day! Vote early if you can! And…
*Chief Wiggum in Marge vs. the Monrail
Today we toast the great, but under-appreciated, writer Conrad Richter, who died on this day in 1968. Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote, “There are in the literature of the world few works of historical fiction that make the reader feel that the writer must have been a witness to what he describes; he was actually there and came back – a transmigrated soul – to tell a story. The Awakening Land is such a work… it would be a great novel in any literature.”
I would heartily concur. Richter wrote short stories and 15 novels. His novel The Town, the last story of his trilogy The Awakening Land about the Ohio frontier, won the 1951 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His novel The Waters of Kronos won the 1961 National Book Award for Fiction.
A strange, uneasy feeling ran over him. If he had been wrong about his mother in this, might he by any chance have been wrong in other things about her also? Could it be even faintly possible that the children of pioneers like himself, born under more benign conditions than their parents, hated them because they themselves were weaker, resented it when their parents expected them to be strong, and so invented all kinds of intricate reasoning to prove that their parents were tyrannical and cruel, their beliefs false and obsolete, and their accomplishments trifling? Never had his mother said that. But once long ago he had heard her mention, not in as many words, that the people were too weak to follow God today, that in the Bible God made strong demands on them for perfection, so the younger generation watered God down, made Him impotent and got up all kinds of reasons why they didn’t have to follow Him but could go along their own way.” (The Town)
Like all great fiction, his words still speak to us, even seventy-five years after being published.
Well, as you know, I am a great re-reader, so I will reward myself with some Conrad Richter today.
Yesterday the boy came over and fixed our shutters which have been buffeted around by the wind all year and thus we were beginning to look like that house in the neighborhood that looks like it is decorated for Halloween all year. He also took apart the crib which was taking up a lot of room in our spare bedroom and moved it to the garage. I am so grateful to have adult children who are still speaking to me. This is a blessing not everyone can claim.
So re-read an old book, count your blessings and remember:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22)
*Today is the poet Paul Valéry’s birthday (1871-1945)–“Le vent se lève… il faut tenter de vivre !” Read the whole poem here.
If you cannot tell, Baby Me in this picture is giving the raspberry to this holiday. But I will duly note that we have reached, indeed, the last week in October! Whenever I venture out into my neighborhood I am reminded that it is the spooky season by all my weird neighbors who insist on putting up lavish yard decorations featuring 30-foot skeletons and mock graveyards.
Well, I barely got out my vintage Halloween candles this year and never bought any pumpkins. I have no idea what the twins are doing for Halloween (Thursday!) So, c’est la vie. I much prefer to celebrate Reformation Day anyway.
So here are 5 things you should know about Martin Luther.
And here’s R.C. Sproul on how the Reformation spread.
In other news, the bud is coming over this afternoon while Lottie goes to her dance class. Hopefully I’ll get the scoop on Halloween costumes. Now that he is a big second grader it will no doubt behoove him to go as a soccer player and wear one of his Messi jerseys. I’m sure he is too cool to wear an actual costume. Last week when he came over we watched Cars (2006) from the Pixar glory days. I enjoyed it a lot and recommend it. You may recall that it takes place in Monument Valley. Plus there are important lessons about teamwork and respecting your elders and friendship. And Paul Newman is super cool.
And this from our most trusted news source literally had me LOL-ing throughout: 10 More Images Of Trump That ‘Newsweek’ Is Warning Might Be A.I.-Generated. I mean thank goodness Newsweek has taken it upon itself to make sure the American people are protected from potential misinformation and for pointing out that this is not a real picture of Donald Trump:
Oh my goodness.
How was your weekend? Mine was rather quiet as daughter #1 was visiting daughter #2 et famille in Illinois. I went to our church’s women’s retreat on Saturday which included fellowship and lunch and a lot of crafts. I made bath bombs and sugar scrub, cards, and painted a mug.
My bath bombs turned out pretty well, but the rest of my crafts left a lot to be desired. Otherwise though, it was fun and I had a good time hanging out with a wide array of ladies–young and old.
I went home and watched the Mizzou-Alabama game but that was a bust. And by that I mean, super-bust.
On Sunday I once again helped with the Sunday School after the early church service. The twins were with me this time so that was interesting. After our together time with all the grades learning about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the leader, Mrs. Haynes, told everyone where to go–first and second graders with Mrs. Compton–and I saw the bud take her aside and say, “You can call her Mamu–that’s her real name.” I felt like the Velveteen Rabbit.
We had prayer requests and talked more about the Ethiopian eunuch and evangelism and we made bookmarks. This was mine:
The bud’s bookmark had a depiction of the Titanic sinking and an F5 tornado–Jesus is always with us. (I don’t mean to leave Lottie out, but her behavior is just so much more prosaic.) In church the twins continue to keep their natural depravity in check and I am very proud of them.
Meanwhile the prairie girls entertained their aunt and Mr. Smith, who was a good boy.
Daughter #1 made it home with Mr. Smith and I went over to their house and had dinner with them. Later at home I watched The Sixth Sense (1999) as part of my October movie viewing. I really like that movie. I remember the first time I saw it 25 years ago in a hotel in Worcester, MA with my sister. It was pretty scary.
Bruce Willis was never better. The world is more than we know.
So have a good week. Hang in there.
Well, life continues apace. Work continues to be busy. I didn’t even put together a to do list this week. I guess I knew nothing would get done. This morning, I had to go to UMSL at 7:30 a.m. to shepherd several members of the executive leadership team around for a panel they were participating in. It all went smoothly but it is still somehow stressful.
Regardless, I’m off to Mahomet tomorrow to hang with the Prairie Girls and Nate. Hopefully there won’t be any wind emojis on the Apple weather this weekend. Eyeroll. I only hope I am cool enough to hang.
It’s looking unlikely isn’t it?!
*title is from “School of Rock”
dual personalities 