dual personalities

April 21, 2023

‘Tis but a day we sojourn here below*

by chuckofish

Since my poor DP (and birthday girl of yesterday!) is under the weather, I am filling in today. I hope she feels better soon!

It’s funny how things work out: as my niece is moving into a house, we are moving out of one. A nice couple saw our cottage and contacted us through a friend to ask us about buying it. After much soul-searching, not to mention phone calls with children, we decided to sell. It is definitely time to let go, for despite our recent renovations, we haven’t spent a night there in years. Nevertheless, we did not anticipate how much hard work the move would entail, nor how completely it would disrupt our lives. We have been moving stuff home for several weeks now, and it seems that there is no end in sight. Boxes and tubs linger in our mudroom while we figure out what to do with them,

and the family room is piled high with games, puzzles and boxes of books.

It’s mayhem but we are rediscovering loads of wonderful things including two tubs full of photos of my adorable young lads. Here are a couple pictures that I copied with my phone, scanning being unavailable at home.

The sad fact is that our poor house cannot absorb the camp contents and the UHaul storage unit is nearing capacity. Fortunately, it is rummage sale time at church, and all three of our sons are coming home to help sort out what to toss and what to keep. Eventually, we will have to rent a truck to make a dump run, but where we will put the rest remains an unsolved mystery.

It has been difficult to let that cottage go. We passed many, many happy days there, though we realize that, as Willa Cather wrote in O Pioneers, “The land belongs to the future; that’s the way it seems to me. How many of the names on the county clerk’s plat will be there in fifty years? I might as well try to will the sunset over there to my brother’s children. We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it–for a little while.” It’s time for us to pass that house and land on to new owners.

Have a great weekend! Good luck moving, Mary!!

*Omar Khayyam

2 Comments
April 19, 2023

“If that’s a threat, you should make it less appealing”*

by chuckofish

On Monday I came down with some dread virus, so I am not able to do anything except watch old episodes of Corner Gas and sip water. Ugh.

Great timing as you will recall that daughter #1 is moving this weekend.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (I Thessalonians 3:3)

*Emma Leroy to Oscar Leroy

3 Comments
April 18, 2023

Cheers to classic Hollywood music

by chuckofish

Today we toast Miklós Rózsa on his birthday (1907-95). He was one of those many talented Hungarians who found their way to Hollywood before WWII and made huge contributions to the film industry. Best known for his nearly one hundred film scores, he also maintained a steadfast allegiance to “serious” concert music throughout his life. Rózsa received seventeen Academy Award nominations and won three: Spellbound (1945), A Double Life (1947) and Ben-Hur (1959).

Just last week, after watching Ben-Hur for the umpteenth time, we were saying how great a score it is, one of the greatest in fact. Definitely Top Five. The opening credits, the chariot race, the battle at sea, all are great classics, but remember Esther’s theme?

And the theme for Jesus?

And the galley slave scene? “Battle speed, hortator.”

It is one of the longest film scores ever composed and is a remarkable achievement. He was often copied, but he was an original. Hats off to Miklós Rózsa!

2 Comments
April 17, 2023

I will take my stand at my watchpost*

by chuckofish

We had a quiet weekend, but the weather was not quiet! We had some big storms on Saturday.

The local stations stayed on the air without commercial breaks for at least three hours. At one point we even got Mr. Smith and went down to the basement as tornadoes moved through the area. But that’s par for the course this time of year.

(Mr. Smith gets a peak into the OM’s dark lair.)

On Sunday the temperature had dropped 40 degrees and it was very blustery, but nothing serious. The boy and his family lost their power during the storm on Saturday, but we (thankfully) did not. When we picked up the twins to go to church, the power was still off at their house!

Church was very special because we had a guest preacher who was a beloved former pastor. I had heard a lot about George Robertson, so I was very curious. He gave a great sermon on Habakkuk 1:12–2:3, all about doubt and dealing with it by running to God not away from Him. The church was of course full and when we sang the doxology at the end of the service–wow–I cried like a baby as usual. I am just so happy to be there.

Daughter #1 was in Jeff City most of the weekend finishing up packing her apartment and getting ready to move next Saturday. She closes on her house this Wednesday.

Meanwhile I am reading Vittoria Cottage by D. E. Stevenson.

My DP recommended the author in a blogpost some years past and I am finally taking her advice. Written in 1949, the action takes place in a quiet village in postwar England. Just what the doctor ordered. I am also reading In the Heart of the Rockies by G.A. Henty, whose author I mentioned a few weeks ago in reference to Louis L’Amour being a fan.

I am enjoying it also.

Enjoy your Monday! Enjoy the ordinary. Step into the the sun, step into the light! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

*Habukkuk 2:1

3 Comments
April 14, 2023

Born yesterday

by chuckofish

Today we toast daughter #2 who was born on this day in 1990. She may have been my neglected third child, but I think she turned out awfully well.

Things did not work out for Sally Amis, for whom this poem was written, but I know you are happy.

So happy birthday, precious daughter.

Watch over your child O Lord, as her days increase; bless and guide her, and keep her ever unspotted from the world. Strengthen her when she stands; comfort her when discouraged or sorrowful; raise her up if she falls; and in her heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3 Comments
April 13, 2023

Oh Daniel prayed every morning, noon and night

by chuckofish

As you know we are reading the book of Daniel in my women’s Bible study group. I had, of course, read the book before–last year in fact–but I had never really noticed what a treasure trove it is. Daniel is an amazing guy! Angels are frequently showing up in his life, even Gabriel! He tells him: “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision.” (Daniel 9:22-23)

“For you are greatly loved.” In the next chapter Daniel is again told by an angel, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” (10: 19)

John Piper says, “I admit that each year when I read through the Bible and come to these verses, I want to take them and apply them to myself. I want to hear God saying to me, ‘You are greatly loved.’” He says we do hear it. But, wow, Daniel.

From the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, Daniel kept the faith. He shunned the depraved culture in which he was forced to live. And as he continued to surrender to God, Daniel rose to great prominence in the palace of the king. Even King Nebuchadnezzar turned to Daniel for counsel. So did King Darius. He reminds me a lot of Joseph and his rise to prominence in Egypt. There is a lesson here, of course.

Part of that lesson is that Daniel prayed. A lot. And his prayer is refreshingly straightforward. Right before the angel Gabriel appears, Daniel prays:

O Lord, hear!

O Lord, forgive!

O Lord, listen and act!

I like his direct approach. And I like Patty and Ricky’s version of this Gospel classic.

Oh Daniel served his living God
While upon the earth he trod
He prayed to God each morning, noon and night
He cared not for the king's decrees
But trusted God to set him free
Oh Daniel prayed every morning, noon and night
--Ralph Stanley
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April 12, 2023

You can find rest in the Father/lay your worries down*

by chuckofish

Yesterday was a typical day for this old retired lady. First thing in the morning I did my daily Bible reading. Then I hopped in the Cooper and drove down to the Link Auction Galleries to pick up my ‘winnings’ (i.e. old stuff no one else wants) from last week’s auction.

It was a beautiful day to take a drive as spring is busting out all over this flyover town.

I came home and caught up on my emails and “desk work”. Daughter #2 sent this picture of baby Idabelle already wearing a dress that daughter #1 made for Katie!

Sunrise/sunset. And, of course, I got the daily update on Katie’s day at daycare…

The boy came over for our usual Tuesday morning gabfest before he headed off to work.

In the afternoon I worked on putting together the first issue of the Kirkwood Historical Society Review with me as co-editor. (The Review has been around for 60-odd years.) Everything goes to the printer today, so say a little prayer. We switched printers when the old printing company’s warehouse burned down and now the printer is my old friend Cherie, with whom I worked for many years while I was at my flyover university. It is good to be back doing business with an old pal.

I walked the dog. I read some poetry:

(W.H. Davies, 1911)

I made hash for dinner with the leftover pork tenderloin from Easter. It was really tasty.

Life is good and God is sovereign. Take the time to stop and stare. Enjoy your day!

*I like this song by Stephen Stanley.

5 Comments
April 11, 2023

The shape of the world

by chuckofish

Today we celebrate the crowning in 1689 of William III and Mary II in London as King and Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Huzzah! This occasion inspires me to want to watch Captain Blood (1938) with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.

We all cheer, “Aye”.

It is interesting that in 1938 they could make a movie about Monmouth’s Rebellion and the Bloody Assizes and the Glorious Revolution and people could actually follow the story line. I doubt that is the case nowadays or at least Hollywood no longer makes that assumption. Well, what ho, c’est la vie.

You will recall that a few years later in their reign on February 8, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England signed the charter for a “perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences” to be established in the Virginia Colony as “The College of William and Mary in Virginia.” The first chancellor was, of course, Henry Compton, Bishop of London, who had crowned them.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Mr. Smith got very dirty cavorting on the driveway on Sunday…

…and was quite a mess. He had to have a bath–always a two-person job–so the OM was shanghaied into helping with that.

So a toast to William and Mary, Captain Blood, Henry Compton, current Comptons, and dirty dogs everywhere.

And this made me laugh:

3 Comments
April 10, 2023

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

by chuckofish

Oh my goodness, what a busy three days! We even managed another trip to Jefferson City to pack more of daughter #1’s apartment. (One more trip should do it.) I was so tired on Friday and Saturday night that it took three nights to watch Ben-Hur (1959)! We concluded it on Easter night and it was great as always.

We had a lovely Easter and I hope you did too. Our weather was perfect. After a rousing church service we were able to frolic outside with Mr. Smith (who was sporting a plaid bow tie) and search for Easter eggs..

We were a little alarmed to see a coyote run across our neighbors’ yards (no kidding) and daughter #1 ran inside with Mr. Smith! Yikes, that was a first. I mean really.

Then we ate a yummy brunch featuring barbecued pork tenderloin. Thankfully the OM managed to not get attacked by the neighborhood wildlife while doing so.

Afterward we enjoyed some primo driveway sittin’ while the wee babes drove around the yard.

Even Lottie (finally) got behind the wheel!

She dragged her brother around for awhile–par for the course. Mr. Smith took refuge under a chair and chewed on a frisbie.

Meanwhile back east, daughter #2 had a nice Easter and everyone looked very festive indeed.

Oh Mylanta, cuteness overload!

4 Comments
April 7, 2023

The only rock I stand on.

by chuckofish

Well, we made it to Friday, readers. Because it is Good Friday, we plan to watch Ben-Hur tonight (well the first half, the chariot race will have to wait until Saturday). Things continue to move forward and hopefully I will be in my house in two weeks (well two weeks and one day, the movers come on a Saturday). Tomorrow, my mother and I will again venture to Jefferson City to continue packing. The end is in sight.

I thought this article in the Wall Street Journal was interesting. As a Flaming Hot Cheeto fan, I will definitely check that movie out. I think the point is less that Hollywood is making movies about things people love and more about the fact that no one in Hollywood has an original idea and they’ve resorted to telling the stories of how things we love and/or feel nostalgic about got made. I love that the Flaming Hot movie is about how someone with a good idea and who worked hard actually made it from janitor to executive. It can happen–and does happen. Now I want some Flaming Hots.

Here’s a picture of Mr. Smith because it’s the only cute picture I have from the past week that my mother didn’t already use on the blog. And here’s a TobyMac and Zach Williams song because we all need a little Toby and Zach these days.

Have a Happy Easter!

2 Comments