dual personalities

January 6, 2015

Under the tree: “Big brothers know everything…Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!”*

by chuckofish

My dual personality blogged about her haul of Christmas gift books the other day, so I thought I would follow suit with a list of mine.

My big brother gave me the new biography of John Wayne by Scott Eyman and I dived right in. (Middlemarch was unceremoniously shoved to the back of the bedside table.)

I read the whole thing and enjoyed it very much. It supported my previously held view that old Duke was the greatest. I always knew he was intelligent, hard-working, kind, humble, and dreamy, but it was nice to have that opinion validated. Here is a good review of the book by Peter Bogdonavich in the New York Times.

When everyone goes home tomorrow and I am bereft, I am going to binge-watch John Wayne movies. This is what I call good therapy.

My sister gave me a new book about Raymond Chandler–another favorite of mine–The World of Raymond Chandler in His Own Words edited by Barry Day.

Chandler, as we all know, wrote not about crime or detection, as George V. Higgins once observed, but about the corruption of the human spirit. He is a man after my own heart: “Philip Marlowe and I do not despise the upper classes because they take baths and have money; we despise the upper classes because they are phony.”

As you can imagine, this book is chock-full of great quotes by the master of simile. “Soot…was down-drafted into the room and rolling across the top of the desk like tumbleweed drifting across a vacant lot.” (The Big Sleep)

An old friend (and a reader of this blog) gave me

which is full of good things to remember:

And, of course, I can always count on daughter #2 to give me something intellectually stimulating. This year it was a copy of

I can’t wait to delve into this one! Emerson is one of my favorites and you know I always like to look at the spiritual side of things.

“Travelling is a fool’s paradise. We owe to our first journeys the discovery that place is nothing. At home I dream that at Naples, at Rome, I can be intoxicated with beauty, and lose my sadness. I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea, and at last wake up in Naples, and there beside me is the stern Fact, the sad self, unrelenting identical that I fled from.” (Self-Reliance)

(P.S. I received some wonderful non-book presents and I hope the people who gave me these will not feel slighted that I did not mention them today.)

What are you reading?

*Charlie Brown’s Christmas Stocking by Charles M. Schulz

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January 5, 2015

Arise, shine, for your light has come

by chuckofish

Well, what a two weeks this has been! It has been filled with trees, lights, decorations,

trips to the airport,

multiple church services, social events, family,

friends and guests,

dance parties, and way too much food and drink.

But I took very few pictures. I will try to do better as I return to my routine. I am a routine person after all. Meanwhile, it is back to school today! Arise, shine–the days are getting longer after all. Thank goodness.

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January 3, 2015

Start as you mean to go on — 2015 edition

by chuckofish

Over the course of a December birthday and Christmas I have received several wonderful books. And what better way to start the year than with lots of new books to read? First, we have the Danish murder mystery that my youngest son gave me for my birthday.

Not your typical dour and depraved Scandinavian thriller, this book was both impossible to put down and pleasantly devoid of graphic violence. That’s not to say that the crime wasn’t unpleasant, but the book struck me as surprisingly PG-13 in a world of increasingly gratuitous NC-17 (if books got ratings that is). AND it’s part of a series, so I can look forward to more of the same.

I also received a couple of wonderful biographies, which I haven’t started reading yet.

I’m really looking forward to this one. James McPherson, famous Civil War historian, has this to say about it (quoted at Amazon): “To his family and friends he was Cump; to his soldiers he was Uncle Billy; to generations of Southern whites he was the devil incarnate. But to biographer Robert L. O’Connell, William T. Sherman was the quintessential nineteenth-century American: full of energy, constantly on the move, pragmatic, adaptable, determined to overcome all obstacles, a nationalist and patriot who teamed with Grant and Lincoln to win the Civil War and launch America as a world power. This readable biography offers new insights on Sherman as a husband and father as well as a master strategist and leader.” Sherman is a really fascinating character, don’t you think?

Going back a couple thousand years, we have the new biography of another iconic figure, Augustus, Rome’s first Emperor.

I have several more of Goldsworthy’s books, including his biography of Julius Caesar, a history of the Punic Wars, and a book about the Roman army. This author is a favorite of mine; he always takes his subjects on their own merit and puts everything in context. No post-modern, “the past is unrecoverable so we can make it up” history here. What a pleasure.

Another, more specialized Roman history book that I received is a new investigation of how the Romans dealt with military defeat.

This is actually a really interesting topic that combines military history, memory studies, politics, and culture …and it’s very readable. In any case, it’s good to be reminded that even the Romans suffered defeats from time to time (and during the 2nd Punic War, a lot).

All my reading does not focus on history or mystery, however. I also got (as I had asked) a lovely interior design book by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, whose blog, “A Bloomsbury Life” I follow.

An artist and bibliophile, Borgnes decided to put her love of literature together with her love of beautiful interiors. The result: a book that takes “over 60 classic novels and find[s] modern homes that match the aesthetic described-down to the last chintz flower”(Architectural Digest). Think loads of gorgeous pictures and nice quotes plus some great decorating advice.

As you can see, I have received quite the treasure-trove of reading material. I’ll count myself a super lucky girl when I find the time to read all of this. Despite this wonderful backlog, I’m always looking for recommendations. What are you reading in 2015?

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January 1, 2015

Happy New Year!

by chuckofish

Can you find the pixilated Dual Personality in this festive bunch?

I give you an old reliable–but still wonderful–poem for the new year by Alfred Tennyson. Nothing much has changed since he wrote it in 1850. I mean people are still people and it is good to keep that in mind. Tennyson was writing about the “faithless coldness of the times” back then too.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darknss of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

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December 31, 2014

This and that: glowing like seraphs

by chuckofish

First, I read Mabel’s Christmas letter on TitusOneNine and thought you might enjoy it too. Read the whole thing.

Second, here’s a thought for the new year from Hay Quaker.

“The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life.You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.”

― Arnold Bennett

Third, here’s a little Charles Spurgeon:

The Lord Jesus is in the midst of his church; he walketh among the golden candlesticks; his promise is, “Lo, I am with you alway.” He is as surely with us now as he was with the disciples at the lake, when they saw coals of fire, and fish laid thereon and bread. Not carnally, but still in real truth, Jesus is with us. And a blessed truth it is, for where Jesus is, love becomes inflamed. Of all the things in the world that can set the heart burning, there is nothing like the presence of Jesus! A glimpse of him so overcomes us, that we are ready to say, “Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me.” Even the smell of the aloes, and the myrrh, and the cassia, which drop from his perfumed garments, causes the sick and the faint to grow strong. Let there be but a moment’s leaning of the head upon that gracious bosom, and a reception of his divine love into our poor cold hearts, and we are cold no longer, but glow like seraphs, equal to every labour, and capable of every suffering. If we know that Jesus is with us, every power will be developed, and every grace will be strengthened, and we shall cast ourselves into the Lord’s service with heart, and soul, and strength; therefore is the presence of Christ to be desired above all things. His presence will be most realized by those who are most like him. If you desire to see Christ, you must grow in conformity to him. Bring yourself, by the power of the Spirit, into union with Christ’s desires, and motives, and plans of action, and you are likely to be favoured with his company. Remember his presence may be had. His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us. If he doth not come, it is because we hinder him by our indifference. He will reveal himself to our earnest prayers, and graciously suffer himself to be detained by our entreaties, and by our tears, for these are the golden chains which bind Jesus to his people.

And finally, Happy New Year! Let’s have positive thoughts about 2015!

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December 24, 2014

God Bless Us, Every One!

by chuckofish

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

The Dual Personalities wish you all peace, love, a visit from Saint Nicholas, and the best Christmas ever…

Merry Christmas! We’ll be back–see you ’round campus soon!

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December 23, 2014

Leave the gate open

by chuckofish

“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? Then you are ready to keep Christmas!”

–Henry van Dyke

I should be taking care of daughter #2 who is home for the holidays, but she is taking good care of me–cooking gourmet meals and mixing special cocktails!

Christmas week is off to a good start. Now if the weather will just cooperate and daughter #1 will make it home from NYC on Christmas Eve according to plan, we’ll be cooking with gas!

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December 22, 2014

“Who in these latter days was born for blessing to a world forlorn”*

by chuckofish

Advent Four. In the gospel lesson Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel, who says, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Mary, not surprisingly, is perplexed by this and “pondered what kind of greeting this might be.” Our assisting priest, who gave the sermon, informed us that the word “ponder” is only used twice in the gospels, both times referring to Mary. He advised us to do more of our own pondering, but not to worry when the Big Questions remain unanswered. He reminded us that we don’t have to wait for complete understanding to act in faith. I get that.

I will miss our assisting priest–who is technically retired–as he heads off to Florida for several months. His sermons actually make sense. C’est la vie.

Since daughter #2 came home on Friday, I have been busier than probably in the entire prior four weeks (combined).

Best friends since Vacation Bible School

No kidding. Well, I expect to be busy when we have a full house at this time of year. And that’s okay.

I will do my best to fit in some ponder-time during the twelve days of Christmas, but I ain’t makin’ any promises, y’hear? There will be plenty of time in January for pondering.

By the way, I just finished a ponder-worthy book: Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel.

A.S. Byatt described it as “a terrible and swirling horror comedy about a very fat medium on the perimeter of the M25, haunted by mean and nasty spirits veering between damnation and the trivial.” Mantel really is a genius and this book is pretty disturbing. She reminds me of Shirley Jackson–brilliant and slightly cracked and a great, great writer. I highly recommend it.

* Hymn 63

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December 20, 2014

Greetings to all!

by chuckofish

Due to an unnaturally busy week, I have not managed to send the family Christmas letter yet, so I thought I would post it here, complete with illustrations and appropriate links. Without further ado:Greetings! As usual, it has been a hectic year, although we survived and seem to be thriving. We even managed to get the house painted, and now our neighbors have stopped making veiled reference to the Addams Family.

Our son, James, continues to live in the Washington DC area, although he has left his luxury digs in Bethesda and moved to a more modest, hipster place in Columbia Heights. Currently employed as the Assistant Cook at the MPAA (motion picture association of America), James makes a mean canapé and has become close personal friends with Eminem’s bodyguards.

James didn’t take this picture, but you get the idea

When he isn’t wining and dining celebrities, he manages the ‘stable’ of writers who contribute to his movie review blog, Roosterillusionreviews.com, and recently voted him “the world’s greatest boss.”

After graduating from SLU last May, Chris spent the summer at an exclusive arts camp in the Adirondacks, where he helped campers to make movies. While there, he made many close personal friends among the local bear population, and somehow restrained himself from feeding the spoiled adolescent campers to his ursine pals.

Waiting for a spoiled adolescent camper to eat

Currently, Chris is feverishly completing his graduate school applications, writing a weekly review for his brother’s blog (he’s never missed a post), and emptying the dishwasher with commendable enthusiasm.

Enter third robber. Last Fall, Tim started his second year at Johnson State College in the heart of Vermont’s beautiful Green Mountains. He spends most of his time playing music, but has become close personal friends with the college security people, who for some inexplicable reason frown on bonfires and tree climbing.

Those Vermonters are so wholesome

Fortunately, the only real trouble he has gotten into was for taking too many classes (math, philosophy, ear-training, stage construction, composition, music theory, guitar, keyboard, funk band, jazz band, and guitar band – or something like that. There are too many for my aging brain to handle).

Meanwhile, our pater familias, Duncan, has immersed himself in the social network of 18^th century Britain. Last summer, he enjoyed some quality time at the National Archives at Kew in London, investigating Joshua Kirby and his circle. You can read all about it at his blog, ‘Kirby and His World’ (kirbyandhisworld.wordpress.com). Mercifully, Duncan has not taken to wearing knee breeches, white stockings or a powdered wig – at least not yet.

Clearly, not everyone can resist temptation

Here’s some gent who succumbed to temptation

As for me, I’ve been learning the hard way about the three phases of book writing: devastation, battle and siege. Right now we’re at the tail end of the siege phase and we’ll see whose defenses crumble faster, mine or the book’s.

I hope my siege goes better than this one.

I’m optimistic, however, and current projections suggest a New Year’s victory. Keep your fingers crossed.

Despite all the work, we did get to play a little in 2014. Duncan and I met my siblings and their spouses in Michigan at the my brother’s family cottage on Lake St. Claire (my dual personality posted about it here). We had a fantastic time hiking, boating and shooting (at clay pigeons, not each other), and watching the fireworks that the area towns put on for Chris’s birthday (aka the 4^th of July). Then, early in the Fall, Ellen and Foster, my niece and nephew, stopped here on their way to Vermont (described here). We had a lovely visit and I invite everyone to follow their lead! The North Country is a great place to live and life is good.

May Christmas bring you joy and see you safely into a fulfilling New Year!

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