–from “To the Dandelion” by James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891. Read the whole poem here.
Spring seems to have sprung, but here in flyover country we know better than to jump to any conclusions. We could have snow before the end of the month. It sure is nice, however, to sit on the patio in the seventy-degree afternoons and soak up some sunshine.
He is 79 years old! Kudos for still touring. Here is a list of other oldsters who are still out there making music in public.
Later today daughter #1 is dropping Mr. Smith off at our house. He will be staying with us while she visits daughter #2 et al in Illinois. So please keep us in your prayers!
Ha!
Daughter #1 will no doubt enjoy spending quality time with Katie and chasing Ida around–did I mention that Ida is now walking/playing soccer? The boy says, “Get out the cones! Agility drills start now!”
We will do our best to keep Mr. Smith from stressing out.
It was a quiet weekend, mostly because it was a busy week punctuated by several visits to MoBap for routine appointments. We also spent eight hours there on Thursday while the OM had an ICD–an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator–implanted. Fun city.
Meanwhile I am through with my semi-annual cancer checks (until September) and an infusion etc. Onward and upward.
In Sunday School we continued with the Westminster Confession and I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this class. The boy is in agreement. Such a smart class!
All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
We are almost finished with chapter one!
We had a baptism in church–the fifth child in a family, who did not make a peep through the whole thing. I was impressed. As the elder walked her down the aisle, the congregation sang Jesus Loves Me and the twins chimed in with gusto. Once again they got an A for non-depraved behavior.
After church we went home for quiche and fruit salad and jelly beans, of which they ate plenty.
It was too cold for driveway sittin’ so the twins played with Legos while the grown-ups talked. Lovely. After everyone left, I watched some PGA–Scottie Scheffler won!–and took an unintended nap.
I didn’t watch the Academy Awards last night (of course). Instead I watched True Grit (1969), starring John Wayne in his Oscar-winning performance. It was a very good choice! Here’s his acceptance speech: humble and grateful.
And here is some news we can all use: good advice on how not to be a grumpy old woman. “It is good to give sober thought to the fact that life is short, and if we hope to finish well, we must intend to finish well.”
A quiet weekend by some standards, but one filled with low key blessings and great weather.
Everything is starting to pop!
At church we had a guest preacher who also played the guitar, accompanied by piano and…harmonica! I have to say I didn’t hate it. The congregation sang with gusto. The twins got an A for non-depraved behavior. They have really crossed a line in general maturity. When I was talking to the head of the Sunday School on Thursday, she said the boy is the friendliest boy there and that Lottie is a real thinker. I concurred. I said that if you asked the twins what they learned in Sunday School, Lottie could tell you in detail and the boy says, “We had fun.”
After church we headed to our house where, after bagels and bacon and handfuls of jelly beans, we indulged in some driveway sittin’ with Mr. Smith.
Meanwhile Ida caught up on reading my article about Alphonse Smith, Kirkwood’s greatest athlete, in the latest edition of the Kirkwood Historical review.
This will be a busy week. Here’s some Dolly to help get us through.
Sit in the sun if you can. Pet a nice dog. Read some history. Rock on.
We had a warm, sunny weekend–quite a contrast with last weekend’s snowstorm. Everyone was out and about.
The Kirkwood Historical Society, on whose board I serve–note the official KHS quarter-zip–had their Trivia Night on Friday. It was a packed house at our old church and very festive. My team only had 5 players (compared to eight) but we managed to tie for first place. But we lost the tie breaker. Quel dommage.
Saturday I got up early to do the flowers at church. I think they turned out all right.
Then daughter #1 and I went to an estate sale and to the antique mall. We exhausted ourselves–well, I did–browsing, so we had a margarita in downtown Kirkwood and shared a quesadilla. Good times.
After watching golf/napping, the OM and I watched Night at the Museum (2006), because, after writing the Pop Quiz on U.S. Presidents in the movies last week, I wanted to see Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt again. He plays it very straight and with dignity.
I enjoyed the movie, mostly because it has no political agenda beyond emphasizing that history is, indeed, interesting. Also Mickey Rooney is truly hilarious. (“Are you crackin’ wise? I oughta punch you in the nose, Hopscotch.”) Of course, it’s ironic that since then they have removed the iconic equestrian statue of T.R. that stood for so long in front of the Museum of Natural History in NYC. I will spare you my thoughts on this.
In Sunday School we are starting a new session on the Westminster Confession of Faith, which I love. In our first class we got through one paragraph of Chapter One. Systematic theology! ❤️❤️❤️ The twins are great in church. They can say the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and most of the Corporate Confession of Sin. They know the Doxology. This makes me very happy and I know the boy is proud of them. Lottie asked if she could bring her bulletin home.
After church we headed over to daughter #1’s house for brunch with Presbyterian Souffle. It was warm enough to frolic in the back yard with Mr. Smith and then walk up to Jackson Park and play on the playground.
Mr. Smith was living his best life.
Later that evening I ventured back to church for the Westminster Christian Academy touring ensemble concert. During spring break they are taking their show on the road–to Eastern Europe!–so this was practice for them. It brought me back to those days of yore when I sang in my high school choir and the boy sang in his high school choir. They sang at daughter #1’s church Sunday morning and she warned me that everyone was reaching for their Kleenex, but, verily, by the end of the concert I was a puddle of tears. What can I say?
And here’s Ida trying to decide which of my vintage Golden Books to read…
I can tell she’s leaning toward Sal Mineo in Tonka, but I know The Brave Little Tailor is a super fun and action-packed read. I read it to Katie when she was here a few weeks ago.
Have a good week! Embrace the simple pleasures in your life and be grateful for them. The blue sky, old movies, smart kids, small dogs, music, and Golden Books.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
A few nights ago I watched the movie Pygmalion (1938) which I had not seen in many years. It is based on the play by George Bernard Shaw.
It was really good! The screenplay is by Shaw himself (he won the Oscar for writing that year) and stars Leslie Howard as Henry Higgins, a part he was born to play. Wendy Hiller plays Eliza Doolittle and the wonderful Wilfrid Lawson plays her father Alfred Dolittle. Here’s a clip that shows both of Lawson’s big scenes.
It’s readily available on Youtube and I highly recommend it.
I could launch into a vent on why no one can write a screenplay like this today, one that even includes a good amount of social commentary, but I will not. What’s the point? Instead I will repeat my old mantra: watch an old movie, read an old book, look up from your phone, step into the sun, step into the light!
As for going outside, yesterday afternoon, the boy and the wee bud came over after school while Lottie was in dance class. The bud said, “Can we have some driveway sittin’ time, Mamu?” and I, of course, said YES. Since it was in the high 60s, it seemed right–the first day of driveway sittin’!
He tuned up the Raptor and drove around the yard, waving at all the neighbors and every dog that walked by. The boy and I sat on the driveway and talked. When the OM came home from work, he joined us. Lovely.
Friday we got several inches of snow. Plans were canceled.
But the sun came out on Saturday and we were back in action, venturing to an estate sale and even Costco with daughter #1.
On Sunday we went to church and during the adult ed hour heard from two of our missionaries, one in Mexico and one in Connecticut. I find it fascinating that Connecticut (and New England in general) is a mission field. But with 5% of people attending church, it really is.
I made a new breakfast casserole which incorporated bagels, eggs, bacon, cheese. The consensus was positive, so I will make it again. The twins had fun frolicking with Mr. Smith, whom they had not seen in several weeks. “Smitty!”
We are off to another unseasonably warm week and I am not complaining.
I am slowly putting my house back together. I keep finding baby dolls and plastic cups and packages of wet wipes in odd places that remind me of our sweet visitors. Luckily now I do not have to pack up a box of odds and ends to send back to them but can wait until they/we visit again.
Also note: the amaryllis is blooming again. They are truly amazing plants.
I also caught up on my daily Bible reading. I was a tad behind.
Q: How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A: That the word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up in your hearts, and practice it in your lives.
Q: If the matter we read or hear be good, is not that enough for our salvation?
A: No, God requires that the word be read and heard in a due manner, and the manner of hearing is of special regard with God; Luke 8:18. Take heed therefore how ye hear.
–John Flavel (1627-91)
Here are a few good things to read…This is an interesting article about whether we should pray the “vengeance” psalms. The boy and I were just discussing the issue of vengeance and how it is right “to leave room for the wrath of God.” However, I am all for reading those psalms which some find offensive, especially Psalm 58. The Anglicans, no surprise, exiled the imprecatory prayers from the psalter after WWI.
Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men? 2 No, in your heart you work wickedness; You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear, 5 Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skillfully.
6 Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! 7 Let them flow away as waters which run continually; When he bends his bow, Let his arrows be as if cut in pieces. 8 Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, Like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, As in His living and burning wrath. 10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, 11 So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.”
–Psalm 58
Food for thought. Read the article!
And this is about President Lincoln, the almost-Presbyterian. Very interesting.
And the inimitable Joni Eareckson Tada writes about grumbling.
What a strange two weeks this has been! Daughter #2 and DN are moved in, but not totally settled in yet. That will take some time. Their new home is great–unfortunately I took no pictures when I was there–and the University of Illinois is very impressive. I liked Champaign-Urbana a lot. It is the perfect sized small city with everything you want but without a lot of the stuff you don’t need.
After a few days in their new house, Katie said, “I think Mamu is living with us now!” Well, no dear. I certainly enjoyed all the bonus time with daughter #2 and her sweet family, but I am glad to be home. In my absence the OM did not burn the house down. Now I have mountains of laundry to do and sheets to change and the house to get back in order…but c’est la vie.
It was so good to be back in church on Sunday. We had a good sermon on the transfiguration and we sang some great hymns. I teared up twice. The twins seem very grown up after spending so much time with a three-year old and one-year old! They came over for bagels after church and played contentedly with their old toys. The bud sang the doxology without prompting to show me that he knows all the words.
Daughter #3 made this updated sweatshirt for me (Wheeler, Lottie, Katie, and Ida), which I think is pretty great, don’t you?
In other news, I was sad to hear that ol’ Toby Keith had died. He was one-of-a-kind. I liked his attitude: “How do you like me now?” And I did love that deep vibrato of his. We’ll toast him tonight.
You gotta saddle up your boys You gotta draw a hard line When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces Singin’ whiskey for my men, beer for my horses
We made it to Illinois on Tuesday–Katie spent a full two hours “reading” aloud old Golden books from Mamu’s vast collection. (Katie took all the books with “Katie” in the nameplate.) Ida dutifully listened appreciatively.
Since arriving we have been unpacking boxes at a slow rate. DN worked his magic in the kitchen and everything is pretty much put away and functional. He has so much space now!
We went to the local Schnucks (twice) and are working on getting back into a sleep routine. We are going to check out the University after nap this afternoon and go out to dinner. Then I’ll head home in the morning.
Today daughter #2 and I are headed to C-U today with the girls.
DN left yesterday– He is very excited and happy to start work in person. The movers will also arrive today (allegedly) so there will be a lot to do. I am leaving my house in an absolute shambles and the OM in it, recovering from the dreaded virus which caught up with him Sunday night. He’s through the worst of it, eating rice cakes and drinking Gatorade.
“Listen. Your life is happening. You are happening. Think back on your journey. The music of your life…” (Frederick Buechner, The Sacred Journey)
All will be well.
Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!
dual personalities 