dual personalities

Tag: movies

January 21, 2026

Of gods and generals

by chuckofish

There was a small earth quake in central Illinois yesterday morning, but it didn’t amount to much and there was no damage reported. The magnitude 3.8 quake, we are told, struck at 1:27 a.m. Central Time, about 3 miles north-northeast of Ohlman, Illinois. The shallow tremor was felt across parts of Christian and Sangamon counties. According to daughter #2 they didn’t feel a thing in nearby Champaign County.

Today we toast General Ethan Allen (1738-1789) on his birthday, who is best known as one of the founders of Vermont and for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga during the American Revolutionary War. Fun fact: A descendant of Ethan Allen, Ethan Allen Hitchcock Shepley, was the chancellor of our flyover university from 1953-1961, following Arthur Holly Compton. I always liked the story my mother told of the time our Labrador Retriever ran away and she got a phone call from the chancellor’s wife saying they had our dog. So she walked over to their house across campus and picked him up. She said Mrs. Shepley was very nice and said Teak was a good dog. My memory may be off–it might have been Mrs. Eliot, the wife of a later chancellor, who was nice, but whatever. It’s a good story.

We also toast Stonewall Jackson (1824-1863), Confederate general and military officer, on his birthday. He has always been a favorite of mine, even though he fought on the wrong side.

And speaking of generals, it is also the birthday of J. Carrol Naish (1896-1973), the character actor who memorably played General Phil Sheridan in Rio Grande (1950) which starred John Wayne.

Naish, although of Irish extraction, was one of those capable film actors who played an array of ethnically-diverse characters during his long career, including Sitting Bull twice.

Yes, Naish played lots of Italians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Jews, Irishmen, and even Wasps–because it is after all, called acting.

The world is more than we know.

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January 15, 2026

Walk this way

by chuckofish

Today we toast the great American dancer Ray Bolger who died on this day in 1987. He had a long and fruitful career, starting in vaudeville and on Broadway, and continuing in the movies. Here he is in The Great Ziegfeld (1936):

Woweee! Of course, everyone remembers him as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and with good reason. He was amazing! Whenever he was asked if he had received any residuals from telecasts of The Wizard of Oz, Bolger would reply: “No, just immortality. I’ll settle for that.” His portrayal truly was immortal.

We’ll also toast Pitbull on his birthday (born 1984) today.

Everyone needs a little Pitbull at least once a year.

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December 29, 2025

My eyes have seen the Messiah

by chuckofish

After a disorienting week of coughing at home, I finally made it back to church on Sunday. We had one service so it was the whole congregation together–very nice. I sat behind the pastor’s wife and their two children and she complimented me on my plaid Christmas pants. Quelle nice girl.

Our own Becka Marsh sang this version of Simeon’s Song during the offertory and I thought it was so lovely.

I played it a lot when I got home and I cried every time.

I also read The Three Godfathers, the short story by Peter B. Kyne on which John Ford’s 3 Godfathers (1948) is based (also the seven other versions). It seemed appropriate. The story ends with the remaining godfather stumbling into New Jerusalem with the baby as a woman sings

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing,

Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! to your King!

He hands the baby to the woman and the author questions, “Who knows? Perhaps in that moment the woman, too, like the Three Bad Men, beheld the King!”

How could I not then watch the movie? (I did, and I could not love it more.)

Meanwhile, following a mild Christmas and balmy temperatures during the week–not to mention some fiery sunsets–

–we were warned a fast moving line of severe storms would move through Sunday afternoon–always exciting and unwanted. But nothing much happened.

My eyes have seen
My eyes have seen
Joy beyond belief:
I’ve seen the Messiah!

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December 23, 2025

À la recherche du temps perdu*

by chuckofish

As the year winds to a close, TCM remembers the actors, filmmakers and other film “creatives” we lost this year:

It is a good reminder. So many–from Robert Redford and Claudia Cardinale and Gene Hackman and David Lynch to our own dear “cousin” Richard Chamberlain. Sigh.

My doctor couldn’t fit me in, but I talked to a nurse on the phone. She suggested I go to urgent care to be tested and to make sure I don’t have pneumonia. Daughter #1 took me to the St Luke’s urgent care and I do have “the flu”. I got a prescription so hopefully I will be on the mend soon. Good grief.

I will hang in there and you should too.

*In Search of Lost Time 

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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 17, 2025

Taste and see that the Lord is good

by chuckofish

Since I did not need to go to the County Courthouse for another day of Jury Duty yesterday, it felt like a free day. Wonderful. I mailed a couple of packages. I went to the grocery store. I organized all my Christmas presents and wrapped many of them. I was cookin’ with gas. I didn’t finish, but I made a good dent.

I had a second cup of coffee and caught up on my reading.

This is good advice for anyone going through something hard. “Do the next thing.”

Well, whoduh thunk? “I took our six kids overseas — and saw a ‘family-friendly’ nation in joyous action”. Indeed, children are not carbon-emitting inconveniences, but the clearest sign that a society believes in its future. (I will say that there are great swaths of our country that are still family-friendly, including the great Midwest.)

And this is great–watch this two and a half minute clip of John Piper Asking ChatGPT to Write a Prayer:

Brilliant. What are you feeling this Christmas season? The universe is created for people made in the image of God who feel the worth of Grace…I hope you are feeling what Scrooge feels at the end of A Christmas Carol. This is why the 1951 version with Alistair Sim is the best version–because the actor gets it. He feels the joy in his heart and he is giddy with happiness. There are many other versions featuring great actors, but nobody gets it like Alistair Sim.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

–Psalm 34:8

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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 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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November 28, 2025

Happy Birthday, brown-eyed handsome man

by chuckofish

Today is the boy’s birthday! He was born on the day after Thanksgiving 39 years ago. Since it is Black Friday, he will be working all day on his birthday, but we will celebrate on Sunday. He deserves a party!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good day. We had a lovely feast at the boy’s house with all the fixins.

And we watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) for, like, the 38th time.

Flyover dreams.

Have a good weekend! Enjoy the leftovers.

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November 17, 2025

Think about these things*

by chuckofish

The weather has been unseasonably warm and beautiful for November–blue sky, orange trees, temps in the 70s! Daughter #1 and I sat out on a lovely patio on Friday afternoon and enjoyed a glass of wine–in November! Then we drove out to Wildwood and enjoyed pizza night with the boy and his family. Lovely.

The rest of the weekend was fairly quiet. I finished a D.E. Stevenson book and watched the leaves float down. I watched the new Kevin James movie–Playdate–on Prime. I’m not saying it’s a great movie, but I enjoyed it.

A “buddy action comedy movie”, it is about two dads and their sons who are targeted by mercenaries. There is no bad language, no sex, no politics, and very little real violence. It held my interest for 90 minutes. And the first scene takes place at a lacrosse game. Why don’t they make more movies like this?

On Sunday I went to church and heard a great sermon on Philippians 4:2-9.

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Think about these things. Practice these things. The Lord is near. Wow. And Wow.

My adult ed class was about the diaconate. We have 14 deacons at my church and they really walk the walk. Presbyterian polity, which was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops, also differs from the congregational polity in which each congregation is independent. In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the presbyterian polity flows both from the top down (as higher assemblies exercise limited but important authority over individual congregations, e.g., only the presbytery can ordain ministers, install pastors, and start up, close, and approve relocating a congregation) and from the bottom up (e.g., the moderator and officers are not appointed from above but are rather elected by and from among the members of the assembly). Brilliant. This theory of governance was developed in Geneva under John Calvin and was introduced to Scotland by John Knox. Presbyterians view this method of government as approximating that of the New Testament and earliest churches. In our church, deacons exercise responsibility for practical matters of the building and grounds and administer the welfare matters of the congregation. Members who are in need are helped by the deacons. These men are the faith in action team.

And here’s a word from Anne about irony.

Meanwhile, on the prairie…

Have a good week! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Read a book. Thank a deacon. Smile. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.

–Psalm 145:18

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