dual personalities

Tag: John Wayne

August 22, 2025

And let us consider

by chuckofish

It finally cooled off in flyover country and it is quite a relief. We’ve had a “too darn hot” run here in August. Soccer practice was even called off! But it is bearable to go outside again, thankfully.

Kindergarten is going well.

And third grade, so I hear, as well.

Meanwhile, I have been keeping busy and my shredder has been a-buzzing. I am making progress.

Also, as you know, John Wayne movies are my comfort food for the soul. This week I watched The Alamo (1960) and I was impressed. It is a fine, moving film, with excellent performances from all three leads and the supporting actors, including Frankie Avalon. And the last 45 minutes or so brought me to tears several times. Really. I could not find any good clips on YouTube, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Well, I am looking forward to a visit from Mr. Smith this afternoon and dinner at the boy’s house tonight. Tomorrow there is a good estate sale to check out and a chance to say ‘hey’ to Lamar. It’s the little things, right? Never overlook those everyday joys!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

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July 28, 2025

They’ll be no quittin’ along the way

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty quiet despite Mr. Smith visiting. I had dinner with the boy and his family on Friday (pizza night) and that was delightful. I went to one estate sale on Saturday but it was a depressing one–a beautiful old house that had fallen to wrack and ruin, a real Miss Havisham experience. Daughter #1 came by on her way home from Indiana to pick up Mr. Smith and we enjoyed Happy Hour and dinner together.

You may recall that Saturday was the National Day of the Cowboy, one of my favorite days–“recognizing the contributions of cowboys and cowgirls to American culture and heritage.”

I did not celebrate until Sunday when I watched Red River (1948) which is my traditional choice. John Wayne, Montgomery Clift and a slew of great cowboys–the best. “We’re goung to Missouri with 10,000 head…”

The boy dropped the twins off at church with me on Sunday so that he could open his store. They were as good as gold and earned an A+ for their behavior. In fact, the wee bud announced “A+!” at the end of the service. As usual, as we arrived and sat in our pew, I thought it seemed like there weren’t many people. But as soon as the first hymn began, I looked around and the church was full of congregants and their voices rang out. When will I learn that Presbyterians do not arrive early! We sang great hymns and heard a very good sermon on Psalm 21. I left refreshed and restored.

Today I am getting ready to drive up to visit daughter #2 and her prairie family for a few days. I am also babysitting for the twins tonight while their parents go out to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary.

Bon anniversaire, you guys! L’chaim!

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May 16, 2025

Ride, boldly ride

by chuckofish

While daughter #2 was here we indulged ourselves by watching some of our favorite movies: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Dear Frankie (2004) and even She’s the Man (2006) for some Channing Tatum. All three movies hit the spot. Comfort food for the soul.

Meanwhile the boy has been introducing the twins to John Wayne movies which they have enjoyed. This warms my heart. So far they have watched Big Jake (1971) and Hatari (1962). Next up McClintock! (1963). These are the best vintage for 8-year olds–less violence, although Big Jake does have some scary bad guys and the Dog does die. Hatari is perfect for kids.

By the way, John Wayne’s birthday is coming up on May 26th so you will want to start planning your own viewing schedule. As usual they will be celebrating big time in Fort Worth on John Wayne Day Weekend🤠 May 24–26 in the Fort Worth Stockyards–“a weekend of legacy, music, wine, storytelling, and family connection.” Wish I could go! Maybe we’ll make it down for the Duke’s 120th in 2027.

We will definitely celebrate as best we can.

And here’s some welcome news! The Cannes Film Festival banned nudity from their red carpet. Gee whiz, what is the world coming to?

Hang in there.

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May 1, 2025

Today in art history

by chuckofish

Today we toast George Inness who was an influential American landscape painter, born on May 1, 1825, in Newburgh, New York, and known for his role in the Tonalist movement.

His works often combined elements of realism and impressionism, focusing on the spiritual and emotional aspects of nature.

We have one of his works in the Saint Louis Art Museum…

In the Roman Campagna, oil on canvas, 1873

…and there was one in my college art museum…

Home at Montclair, 1892, oil on canvas, Clark Art Institute

There are several good ones at Yale…

Moonrise, oil on canvas, 1887

I always liked him.

Two Sisters in the Garden, oil on millboard, 1882, Art Institute of Chicago

Inness died in 1894 at Bridge of Allan in Scotland. According to his son, he was viewing the sunset, when he threw up his hands into the air and exclaimed, “My God! oh, how beautiful!”, fell to the ground, and died minutes later. That’s a good way to go–for an artist or anyone, don’t you think?

In other museum news, if you are going to be in Fort Worth on May 22…

The 95th anniversary! Wowee!

Happy May 1st!

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December 3, 2024

Under the wide and starry sky

by chuckofish

We got more snow yesterday and it was very cold. I tell you I am not really ready for this…winter! October was balmy and November wasn’t bad, so digging out the Barbour storm coat was not on my radar. And gloves! Where are my gloves?

At least when it is snowing, it is very quiet in my neighborhood. No leaf blowers!

Anyway, I got a pedicure yesterday, which is something I do now regularly as a result of my chemo-induced neuropathy and getting old. I also scheduled a big trash pickup so that we can get rid of some of the junk in our garage to make room for my SUV which takes up a lot more room than my Mini. And I made a list of all the things I need to get new license plates before heading to the DMV. Oh joy. But I do like that checking-things-off-my-list feeling.

Today we remember Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish author and poet, who died on this day in 1894 while straining to open a bottle of wine for his wife.

He is buried on a spot overlooking the sea in Samoa where he lived at the time.

Based on Stevenson’s poem “Requiem”, the following epitaph is inscribed on his tomb:

Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie
Glad did I live and gladly die
And I laid me down with a will
This be the verse you grave for me
Here he lies where he longed to be
Home is the sailor home from the sea
And the hunter home from the hill

I always hear John Wayne’s voice when I read that, because, as you recall, he recites the poem at the funeral of two sailors (Slug and Squarehead) in They Were Expendable (1945). It is a great scene. The Duke does it perfectly and to great effect–

They were just a couple of blue jackets who did their job.

So a toast to Robert Louis Stevenson and to John Wayne and to all the sailors and hunters home from the hill.

Have a good day! Read some poetry.

4 Comments
May 24, 2024

“Ain’t gonna go to hell for anybody”*

by chuckofish

Happy birthday, Bob Dylan! He turns 83 today. We love you and God loves you.

It is time to plan a visit to the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, OK…however, I guess I’ll wait until the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, which is still closed for construction, reopens. Then it will be Tulsa Time!

In case you need reminding, Sunday is John Wayne’s birthday. He would be 117. If you are in Fort Worth, be sure to sign up for…

I will be home streaming my own John Wayne film festival.

Nobody slams a door like John Wayne.

How will you be celebrating?

P.S. Saturday is the birthday of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I disagree with him about quite a few things, but I agree with this:

Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays.

–RWE, Collected Poems

Now there’s three aces!

*Bob Dylan

But I ain’t gonna go to hell for anybody
I ain’t gonna go to hell for anybody
I ain’t gonna go to hell for anybody
Not today, not tonight, not tomorrow, no never, no way!

3 Comments
April 23, 2024

Meditate on these things

by chuckofish

I received some good books for my birthday–I mean does my family know me or what?

I got some other nice things as well, including archival boxes to aid me in my quest to be organized. However, the twins quickly became bored with my presents as I opened my pile of goodies and returned to playing with Mr. Smith. But I will have no excuse for being bored for some time.

Just a reminder that yesterday was the 62nd Anniversary of the release of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). ​​​​​​​​​

In its review, The New York Times heralded Duke as a paragon of the Western genre, writing, “Mr. Wayne again proves, if it is necessary at this late date, that he can sit a horse well, shoot from the hip and throw a haymaker with the best of them.” Well, he could do a lot more than that and he did in this great film, which is a lot more than your everyday, run-of-the-mill western. But you know that. Anyway, if you are looking for something good to watch, I suggest Liberty Valance.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

–Philippians 4:8-9

4 Comments
July 21, 2023

Let me wander over yonder/Till I see the mountains rise*

by chuckofish

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the National Day of the Cowboy. Unfortunately we will not be in the Fort Worth Stockyards or Oklahoma City where all sorts of family fun is planned. But that won’t stop us from celebrating! We’ll watch cowboy movies all weekend!

I recently read that the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum acquired the Sam Peckinpah archive, so we will watch Junior Bonner (1972) in his honor. I like this movie and, unlike most of the Peckinpah oeuvre, it is not a showcase of unnecessary violence. Also it stars Steve McQueen.

So here’s to cowboys past and present! Toast freely.

I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in

(*Cole Porter)

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July 17, 2023

Come weary saints

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? I redeemed a gift card from Mother’s Day and had an hour-long spa pedicure, which had me walking on air for quite some time. Wow.

We had a guest preacher in church and he preached on Daniel 6–the lion’s den! I love Daniel so I was pleased. We need reminders of heroes like Daniel to keep us on track. We also had interesting musical accompaniment to all our hymns–a harmonica. Not the usual for A Mighty Fortress is Our God, but not bad. The OM and I stayed for a luncheon with our “fold” after the service. They acknowledged his birthday (today) but refrained from singing Happy Birthday.

We celebrated the OM’s birthday later on Sunday when everyone came over for a barbecue and party. (Even Mr. Smith)

Good times…and presents!

We watched McClintock! (1963), one of my favorite movies extolling the Patriarchy. It is loosely based on The Taming of the Shrew. (And Maureen O’Hara is one helluva shrew.) It has a smart script which moves along at a brisk clip. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It has nothing good to say about bureaucrats, the government or college boys, but is very sympathetic to Native Americans and free enterprise.

Anyway, when you have had enough of our modern day BS, I recommend a good dose of John Wayne at his most John Wayne-ish. “I know, I know. I’m gonna use good judgement. I haven’t lost my temper in forty years, but pilgrim you caused a lot of trouble this morning might have got somebody killed. Somebody oughta belt you in the mouth but I won’t, I wont…the hell I won’t.“

In other news baby Ida got her first taste of solid food…

It was a big hit.

And ol’ Ricky Skaggs is nominated for several Dove Awards this year, including this song which is a favorite of mine…

…as well as this banger version of Go Tell It on the Mountain with Crowder (for a little Christmas in July):

Have a good week!

7 Comments
May 26, 2023

“Must have been crazy…or too conventional”

by chuckofish

Daughter #1 has passed the blogging duties back to me today, so I will remind you (yet again) that today is John Wayne’s birthday. Time to celebrate Duke-style.

Now I should probably be preparing something from this…

…but it’s Friday, so the OM will be going to Chick-fil-a for our usual Friday night treat. Then we’ll watch El Dorado (1966) to celebrate. Life is good.

I can really relate to Harvey Keitel in this scene from Martin Scorsese’s first movie Who’s That Knocking at My Door (1967):

And here’s a great scene with a great, great actor:

Have a good Friday. Break some glasses. And remember Memorial Day–lest we forget.

God bless America.

4 Comments