dual personalities

Tag: family

January 7, 2026

The sky is low/The wind is gray/The radiator/Purrs all day.*

by chuckofish

I continue to take down my Christmas decorations and to tidy up my house. I am also working on the Kirkwood Historical Review and getting it ready to send off to the printer. But I like to take a break on the yellow antique loveseat in my office and read the internet or poetry and listen to the woodpecker outside in the tree by my window.

Sometimes I catch a glimpse of him and it is very exciting.

(I wish I had taken this photo, but, of course, I did not. Thank you @audubonsociety.)

Anyway, the pace of January is much slower than December and that is okay with me.

And, hey, my new sweet grandson Wes is a month old (four weeks) today!

*John Updike, “January”

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January 5, 2026

Postcards from the new year

by chuckofish

Well, here we go in a new year! We have reflected on the last year and look forward with hope to the new one. In church we are starting a new sermon series on the book of Joshua. It startes bluntly with God saying in verse two, Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.

He tells Joshua four times in the next few verses to be strong and courageous. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

Those are good verses to start the new year with!

Daughter #1 and I had a good time with the prairie girls and their new brother, who is “a perfect boy,” according to them.

The boy seems to be handling all the attention quite well.

He is the bigger than a Bitty Baby already!

We had a second Christmas and celebrated the new year. We watched the rain-soaked Rose Bowl Parade (or “Pie-yaid” as Ida says). We saw the Clydesdales–always heartwarming for this old St. Louisan.

The twins and their parents made it back from Florida and they came over with their dad on Sunday to help me take down my big Christmas tree. I still have a lot to do, but they were a big help.

Today I am beginning a new Bible reading plan, I have read through the Bible twice and the New Testament 5x5x5 plan twice in the last four years. This year daughter #1 devised a plan to read through all of Psalms and Proverbs in 52 weeks, so I am following that plan. The boy is starting the Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan, which is how I started back in 2022. Here is a list of many different plans. There are lots of good ones out there. As New Year’s resolutions go, reading the Bible every day is an excellent place to start!

This is good (old) advice for a new year. “Instead of relying on your willpower, strength, and planning this year, humble yourself before the throne of grace. You’ll find all you need, even if you don’t get everything you want.”

And, of course, If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

(Romans 12:18)

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December 31, 2025

Happy new year!

by chuckofish

Today daughter #1 and I are heading up to the prairie to spend New Year’s Eve with daughter #2’s Fam and open the Christmas presents from last week. Hopefully all will be in fine fettle and we can celebrate accordingly. I have been cooped up inside for nearly two weeks, so I am looking forward to a road trip!

We will toast the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. 2025 was quite a year. We said farewell to our husband and father and we welcomed a fine new baby grandson. Indeed, it is good to remember that the The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end…

…but it is good to remember it in context: Lamentations 3.

As always, I have much to be grateful for: my God, my family, my country, my church, my friends, and my freedom to say so.

God bless America!

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December 30, 2025

The scent of a tangerine

by chuckofish

It got very cold indeed here in flyover country. From 78 degrees on Sunday it dropped over 50 degrees! (A 70 degree change if you count the wind chill!) Yikes. We missed a new record by one degree! (Set in 1911.) I’m feeling a little jealous of the twins down in Florida!

Well, anyway, I am starting to get back on my feet, getting some things done around the house. And that’s a good thing.

Today we toast country singer Suzy Bogguss on her birthday. She was born in 1956 and grew up in Aledo, Illinois. We always liked Suzy back in the day–what a voice–and we are happy that she is finally being inducted as the next new member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 16, 2026.

Way to go, Suzy!

And here’s a poem by James Crews, “Winter Morning”:

When I can no longer say thank you

for this new day and the waking into it,

for the cold scrape of the kitchen chair

and the ticking of the space heater glowing

orange as it warms the floor near my feet,

I know it’s because I’ve been fooled again

by the selfish, unruly man who lives in me

and believes he deserves only safety

and comfort. But if I pause as I do now,

and watch the streetlights outside flashing

off one by one like old men blinking their

cloudy eyes, if I listen to my tired neighbors

slamming car doors hard against the morning

and see the steaming coffee in their mugs

kissing chapped lips as they sip and

exhale each of their worries white into

the icy air around their faces—then I can

remember this one life is a gift each of us

was handed and told to open: Untie the bow

and tear off the paper, look inside

and be grateful for whatever you find

even if it is only the scent of a tangerine

that lingers on the fingers long after

you’ve finished peeling it.

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December 24, 2025

Go tell it

by chuckofish

Here we are on Christmas Eve–my plans are all kerpluey. I can’t go to church–one of my favorite services of the year. I do love a packed church with everyone dressed up and singing, the college kids home. And the boy is a lector! But I’m a big girl. My whole month has been off-track. And let’s admit, it hasn’t been a great year. Although we have been greatly blessed as well.

Daughter #1, Mr. Smith and I had planned to drive up to the prairie on Christmas afternoon, but we will delay that so as not to spread germs etc. C’est la vie.

So let us not forget that the Lord came—himself—to save you from your sins. As Ann says, what a reason to celebrate! What a glorious excuse to have a feast, to break out the champagne, the cheese, the cake, the party games and garlands.

Yes, indeed!

(And also this:)

Merry Christmas to my loyal readers!

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December 18, 2025

All kinds of weather we stick together/ The same in the rain or sun

by chuckofish

Today is my sister/dual personality’s birthday! We wish her many happy returns of the day!

It was interesting spending 10 days with my prairie granddaughters and watching the interplay between them. Like my sister and me, they are about two and half years apart. It made me a little sad seeing how the older sometimes treats/manipulates the younger, knowing that I’m pretty sure I did the same thing. The younger is so sweet and is always trying to please her sister and mimic her. It is no surprise that she sometimes gets very frustrated. Well, siblings are one of our greatest blessings, but they also teach us the ways of the sin-sick world. We learn to cope. My older brother said plenty of mean things to me and it helped me develop a thick skin. Our siblings keep our pride in check.

I’m grateful my sister and I grew up to be close. I wish we could celebrate together! But I will be with her in spirit. And the spirit is always:

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December 15, 2025

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

by chuckofish

(Not a bad likeness of the new baby by his older sister)

I made it home on Friday afternoon between two snow events on the prairie. Phew. I had a lot to do over the weekend–the Kirkwood Historical Society annual meeting and Christmas tea…checking in with Mr. Smith…

…catching up at church on Sunday (twice!), making Episcopal Calvinist souffle and celebrating the twin’s 9th birthday at my house!

Now I am on Jury Duty of all things! What a December. I don’t know when I’m going to mail my packages or wrap presents, much less send Christmas cards, but I’m not going to worry about it.

P.S. I hear the prairie girls watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers again–seems they can’t get enough of those wild boys!

And I thought this was funny (and true)…

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December 11, 2025

Come thou long-expected baby

by chuckofish

Well, Baby Wes is finally here! 9 lb 3 oz, 22.5 inches long at around 8:45 pm yesterday. (The twins may be a little disappointed that they won’t get to share a birthday…BTW Happy 9th Birthday, WRC and Lottie!) We are all very happy and relieved. Precious daughter #2 is okay too!

Let me just say, however, that I am about crafted out. I have made so many Santas and elves and gingerbread men and reindeer, not to mention reindeer headbands, that I am becoming cross-eyed. But all in a good cause.

Filling time, we also watched Little Miss Broadway (1938) starring Shirley Temple and George Murphy and a cast of stellar supporting character actors…

…and also Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)–they watched the whole thing!

We enjoyed both movies and I recommend them for younger viewers!

The girls and I are going to the hospital this morning to see Mommy and the new baby. Thanks be to God.

God our Father,
maker of all that is living,
we praise you for the wonder and joy of creation.
We thank you for the life of this child,
for a safe delivery,
and for the privilege of parenthood.
Accept our thanks and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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December 10, 2025

“E: Well, shall we go? V: Yes, let’s go. (They do not move)”*

by chuckofish

Well, we’re still waiting! I have been here a week–I hope I don’t have to leave before the baby arrives–Zut alors! mais c’est la vie.

In the meantime, while we’re waiting, here are Kevin DeYoung’s 10 best books of 2025.

Here are the 6 Favorite Christmas Hymns of Keith and Kristyn Getty. I concur!

And rest in peace Raul Malo, the lead singer of the Mavericks, who died on Monday.

What a voice!

And last week in Gatlinburg…

*Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

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December 1, 2025

Come thou long expected Jesus*

by chuckofish

Well, I certainly underestimated the weather gurus and their forecasts of snow on Saturday. We got 5 inches more or less and I was stuck at home. I’m not complaining–I like a snowy day in my cozy home. Luckily daughter #1 helped me on Friday to bring up my Christmas ornaments from the basement. She also helped me put together my new King of Christmas artificial tree. It popped right into place and since the tree is equipped with all the latest technology, the lights automatically connect through the pole, easy peasy. I love a real tree, but in my dotage I feel no guilt about this newest acquisition. The boy had to come over like three times last year to help me, so now I can be reasonably self-sufficient as per my decorating. The tree even came with special gloves to wear for fluffing.

Pre-fluffed…not bad!

Daughter #1 also helped me get the mantel set up…

Friday night I had unwrapped all my tree ornaments, so on Saturday I put them on the tree (post fluffing).

I am pleased.

Since I finished reading Shane, I watched the movie. It is one of those rare examples of a movie that is far better than the book. The book is good, but the movie is great, a classic, the original that everyone copies. The screenplay by A.B. Guthrie is sophisticated and complex, although telling a seemingly simple story; the direction by George Stevens is brilliant. The actors are all at the top of their game, and in the case of Alan Ladd, he was never better. By the climactic fight between Shane and Joe Starrett where the horses are going crazy and Marian is screaming, I was in tears. And then, the build-up to the final shoot-out–wow. You could certainly write a thesis on this movie and the way it builds tension etc. The best scenes are not even in the book. And when I was writing the blogpost about film scenes in the rain–how did I forget Shane?

(There are so many spoilers in this trailer!)

Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent! We started a new sermon series on the first chapters of Luke. We also had a baptism, our pastor’s (adorable) baby son. Our adult ed class was on the beginning of Matthew–led by a seminary professor and excellent. Did I mention that we sang good Advent hymns?

After church we went back to my house where daughters #1 and #3 met us to celebrate the boy’s birthday. I made his favorite meal–tortellini, French bread and salad and we had cake.

Good, good times. An eventful 4-day weekend!

Have a good week! Take some time to pause and reflect, to remember how gracious our God has been, His unexpected provision and answered prayers, and His steady faithfulness woven through every ordinary day.

*Charles Wesley, 1744

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

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