dual personalities

Tag: family

December 30, 2024

Not quite back on track

by chuckofish

Did you have a merry Christmas? We did. We celebrated with family here on Christmas eve and Christmas and then went to the prairie for more Christmas there. We also checked out the PCA church in Urbana, and we liked it. I cried through the first hymn, so par for the course. Katie said she was a little bored at the end, but what four-year old enjoys a 30-minute sermon? She held her depravity in check like a trouper. Everyone was very friendly and nice.

Also, the boy and his family moved into their new house!

Unfortunately, I thought I had figured out how to move forward with WordPress, but it seems not, and I am still struggling with photos. So no postcards from our flyover Christmas. C’est la vie. I’ll keep working on it.

Anyway, this is an oldie but a goodie:

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.” (Rev. 19:6)

And some of these are pretty good.

And this lady makes me laugh. I am in total agreement with her RESOLUTIONS FOR 2025:

I resolve to pray for the health, safety, and wisdom of our President and his team every single day. They can’t do it alone, folks. We have to fight fight fight. Give in on NOTHING. Only “reach across the aisle” to give somebody a noogie.

I resolve never again to “diet” in whatever life is left to me. I will move more, stress less, eat healthily, but never eschew any particular food if it brings me joy. Life is short and getting shorter by the day. Like me.

That’s it. 2025 cannot come soon enough, particularly January 20th. God Bless us every one! God Bless America!

1 Comment
December 23, 2024

Postcards from a very busy weekend

by chuckofish

Two days ’til Christmas!

On Friday Mr. Smith got a shampoo while daughter #1 and I got a glass of wine nearby, after which the OM brought home Chick-fil-A and we watched The Bishop’s Wife (1947). The weekend took off from there. Daughter #2 arrived on Saturday morning along with DN and the prairie girls who were ready to party …

We got dressed up…

…and went to a Christmas party at daughter #1’s house…I would share more photos but WordPress is not cooperating with me so I can’t share them. C’est la vie. Hopefully I can figure this out, but for now…

Have a good Monday!

1 Comment
December 19, 2024

How sweet the sound

by chuckofish

What would Christmas be without the Lucille Rapp Dancing School Recital? It was short and sweet and the bud, who was sitting next to me, dubbed it “nicely done!”. He was impressed with the gymnastic abilities of the girls. Also their beauty–“Pretty!”

Yesterday I also attended the Covenant School’s Christmas Chapel rehearsal–all church members had been invited, so I went. I enjoyed it very much. My favorite part was when the 4th, 5th and 6th graders sang “Away in the Manger” while accompanying themselves on ukuleles.

The Kindergarteners belting out “Amazing Grace” while the 1st graders accompanied them with bells was also very special. Not to mention the 2nd and 3rd graders singing “Silent Night” in German! And the whole school reciting Luke 2:8-14 from memory…

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

…Well, it was all pretty sweet and I admit I may have needed a Kleenex once or twice.

In other news, the boy and his family closed on their new house yesterday and will move on Saturday! Prayers all around for an easy and smooth transition. It will be another super busy weekend with daughter #2 coming into town with her family to attend daughter #1’s Christmas party. And DN will pick up the Mini Cooper and drive it home. More prayers for travel mercies!

And then…it’s Christmas!

2 Comments
December 16, 2024

Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth

by chuckofish

We’re nearing the home stretch…but it rained all day Saturday which dampened everyone’s holiday spirits. We were grateful, however, that it was rain and not ice or snow. And we got the tree up!

It was a group effort. The boy came over Thursday evening to carry the tree in from the garage and put it in the stand. The OM and I strung the lights on Saturday morning. And daughter #1 came over after her DAR luncheon to help decorate it. Ain’t it lovely?

I missed the DAR luncheon because I had to go to our Historical Society Christmas party and membership meeting. It was actually quite fun. The house looked beautiful and festive. Of course, I didn’t take any pictures. C’est la vie.

The boy and his famille were in Kansas City this weekend, so the OM and I sat alone in church. They missed a good sermon on the Mosaic Covenant, some great hymns and solos, and a fantastic adult ed class, continuing on the angels and demons theme. The teacher even referenced Hermann Bavinck (see Friday’s post). I am learning a lot. My Bible Study leader made a really good and astute comment during the class and I told her so afterwards, and she said, “It was the Holy Spirit, not me”. Once again, I am humbled and grateful to be among these people.

We watched three Christmas movies: Home Alone (1992), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)…

and White Christmas (1954), the latter on the big screen! We enjoyed them all.

What an absolute treat to see White Christmas on the big screen! In recliners! Can’t believe it wasn’t sold out! For the 50th time, it was great. And I had to laugh thinking of little Ida watching it for the first time at home on her TV and running to get her tambourine during the “Mandy” number! Perfect!

Have a good Monday, watch an old movie, feel the joy, read some poetry:

  1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
    And with fear and trembling stand;
    Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
    For with blessing in His hand,
    Christ our God to earth descendeth,
    Our full homage to demand.
  2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
    As of old on earth He stood,
    Lord of lords, in human vesture,
    In the body and the blood;
    He will give to all the faithful
    His own self for heav’nly food.
  3. Rank on rank the host of heaven
    Spreads its vanguard on the way,
    As the Light of light descendeth
    From the realms of endless day,
    That the pow’rs of hell may vanish
    As the darkness clears away.
  4. At His feet the six-winged seraph,
    Cherubim with sleepless eye,
    Veil their faces to the presence,
    As with ceaseless voice they cry:
    “Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Alleluia, Lord Most High!”

Liturgy of St. James, 5th century (adapted by Gerard Moultrie, 1864)

4 Comments
December 12, 2024

Lend us thine aid

by chuckofish

Every year I bemoan the fact that no one sends Christmas cards anymore. With a single stamp costing over 75 cents, I realize this can be an expensive venture. Still, I do enjoy sending and receiving them. As of December 11, I have received three and one of those is from a business!

Anyway, I am working on mine. I was startled to note how many friends I have had to delete from my mailing list because they have died. Gee whiz, we are getting old. Sunrise, sunset.

Meanwhile both my daughters are sick! I hope they feel better soon! Unfortunately it is that time of year when you are most likely to get sick and are the busiest.

Daughter #2 was well enough (i.e. dragged herself) to attend Katie’s first Christmas program at her Lutheran preschool.

Her baby sister enjoyed it immensely.

Adorable.

In other news, the bud, when he was over on Tuesday afternoon, helped me unwrap all my Christmas stained glass…

He was a good helper!

This is always a fun job, remembering all the different ones we have–some from as far back as the 1960s!

On the academic front we are told that in a poll of 634 UPenn students, 63% stated they “stay silent/outright support” UPenn alumnus Luigi Mangione’s action of murdering the CEO of UHC. Only 37% voted that they condemn it. This is shocking and terrible news, but I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised when we remember all those people who laughed at the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Donald Trump last summer and said they wished the would-be assassin hadn’t missed. We live in a post-Christian world where such behavior is celebrated. Our pray-for-our-enemies list grows longer by the day.

Well, it is time to listen to this great Christmas classic written by English Anglican Reginald Heber in 1811:

P.S. I forget to mention that yesterday was the twins actual birthday. (They had so many celebrations, that the actual one may have–for me–gotten lost in the shuffle!) Of course, we are so thankful for our wonderful twins!

Readers of this blog may remember when they were born eight years ago, weighing just a little over a pound each. Many friends–Jews and Christians, Protestants and Catholics–were praying for them mightily. They pulled through and have thrived. We are so grateful.

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants Wheeler and Lottie as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their
trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4 Comments
December 10, 2024

This and that

by chuckofish

Yesterday I tried to catch up after my very busy weekend. I got some “desk work” done, met with my co-editor, Ron, to talk about the next Kirkwood Historical Review, and I went to the P.O. where I stood in line for 45 minutes waiting my turn for the one employee to wait on me.

I meant to start addressing Christmas cards but I did not. Tant pis.

In other news, today we toast the great movie actor Victor McLaglan (1886-1959) on his birthday. Best-known for playing Irishmen in John Ford movies, he was not Irish. He was English, of Scottish descent. His father was a bishop. He had a long career in the movies, winning an Oscar for Best Actor in The Informer (1935). I think I will watch Gunga Din (1939) in which he starred along with Cary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

He was also great, of course, in the John Ford Cavalry Trilogy: Fort Apache (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Ford’s The Quiet Man (1952).

So try not to obsess over all the things on your ‘to do’ list! They will get done in due time. In the meantime, watch an old movie!

P.S. It brings me joy to see my granddaughters in their hand-me-down clothes…

I had a conversation with the wife of our new pastor about this. Her mother also saved all her smocked dresses and now her daughter (Edith!) wears them to church. I love it. Of course, it’s fine if you don’t do this! But I love seeing the different generations wearing the same outfits.

And it’s so environmentally responsible!

2 Comments
December 4, 2024

It came a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter

by chuckofish

Last week I ordered my Christmas cards and yesterday I spent several hours working on my Christmas letter. The year is skiing by. Well, it is a good exercise to review the year and look at the highlights. Indeed it is, but it is truly in the every day happenings that we see how blessed we are.

Anne was on a tear again and I can relate. “Can I just check out now and not bother to try to endure the next month? Is there a reason for me to continue to participate in modern life? Is there a cabin in the woods I can retreat into and not emerge until some time in Lent?” But I really think it would be better for her if she just stopped reading The New York Times. I stopped years ago. Why make yourself crazy?

In view of this, I think this post by Tim Challies is relevant. “This is something I have been training myself to do in life—to look away from what is not mine to look at. There is so much in life that does not concern me, so much that may draw my eyes or engage my curiosity but is not for me to gaze at or fixate on, not for me to ponder or form opinions about.”

This made me laugh:

…and so did this:

And go ahead, listen to some Christmas music:

P.S. My dear friend Gary is having surgery this morning for an aggressive type of cancer and prayers for his recovery would be much appreciated.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant in his suffering, and bless the means used for his cure. Though at times he may be afraid, fill his heart with confidence that he may yet put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

–BCP

4 Comments
December 2, 2024

‘Tis the season

by chuckofish

How was your long weekend? Daughter #2 and famille drove home on Friday afternoon after a fun-filled two days here with us. It is so nice knowing they will back in a few weeks!

Then it snowed all day Saturday–enough to change everyone’s plans and stay home. We had started unpacking Christmas things at daughter #1’s house on Friday morning with the prairie girls…

…and then she finished up the next day with the always helpful Mr. Smith…

I started the process at my house alone on Saturday. It is a lot of work! First to put away and clean up all the Thanksgiving stuff; then to haul all the Christmas things up from the basement. But I managed to get the little tree put up in the dining room…

…and did the mantle…

The feral cat in the Florida room watched me the whole time.

Daughter #2 got a start at her house with her helpers…

At church we observed the first Sunday in Advent with Advent hymns and the first in a new sermon series on God’s covenants in the Old Testament. The new adult ed class series is on angels. Thankfully I am not helping with the children’s Sunday School, so I can attend. The twins and their dad were not there because they were at the bud’s birthday party at the Lego Mini Fig store.

Lottie’s (separate) party is next Saturday. There is too much going on for me to keep it all straight. The boy stopped by later with the bud to tend to the cat and to take the extra leaf out of the dining room table. I heard all about the party–good times!

We, of course, watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) on Thanksgiving night, but the next day after everyone had left, we watched Grumpy Old Men (1993) on Friday night. It was pretty funny–even the grumpy OM I live with thought so.

It takes place around Thanksgiving, so it was seasonally appropriate. I recommend it.

This is a really good post about remembering that God is good regardless.
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7)

So start decorating for Christmas–it’s not too early! Feel the joy. Watch an old movie. Wave to someone. Happy December!

4 Comments
November 29, 2024

Postcards from Thanksgiving

by chuckofish

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

DN did most of the cooking–he brined a turkey!

Besides the two pies, we had some chocolate birthday cake for the boy…

And the cousins had a blast together!

We even had a dance party with our 1980’s 45s…

And Katie let Mr. Smith lick her hand!

That’s all for now!

3 Comments
November 27, 2024

A prayer of gratitude and more

by chuckofish

O My God,
You fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
My heart admires, adores, loves You,
For my little vessel is as full as it can be,
And I would pour out all that fullness before You in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with You
Ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
Ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
Ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
Crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless You for the soul You have created,
For adorning it, for sanctifying it,
Though it is fixed in barren soil;
For the body You have given me,
For preserving its strength and vigor,
For providing senses to enjoy delights,
For the ease and freedom of limbs,
For hands, eyes, ears that do Your bidding;
For Your royal bounty providing my daily support,
For a full table and overflowing cup,
For appetite, taste, sweetness,
For social joys of relatives and friends,
For ability to serve others,
For a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
For a mind to care for my fellow-men,
For opportunities of spreading happiness around,
For loved ones in the joys of heaven,
For my own expectation of seeing You clearly.
I love You above the powers of language to express,
For what You are to Your creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

–The Valley of Vision

This is The Pilgrim by Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848 – 1907) which was installed in Philadelphia in 1905.

FYI The Puritan, the first version of The Pilgrim, was commissioned by Chester W. Chapin as a monument to one of the founders of Springfield, Massachusetts—Deacon Samuel Chapin (1595–1675). The New England Society of Pennsylvanians asked Saint-Gaudens to make a replica of The Puritan for the city of Philadelphia.

Also, besides being Thanksgiving, it is the boy’s birthday! We wish him a wonderful day! We are truly thankful for him!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Happy Birthday to the boy!

(The painting at the top is by N.C. Wyeth.)

1 Comment