dual personalities

Tag: music

September 30, 2021

“If it’s a horse, ride it, if it hurts, hide it/Dust yourself off and get back on again”*

by chuckofish

One of the highlights of our recent adventure in southeastern Colorado was attending the Michael Martin Murphey concert in the Koshare Kiva, which boasts the largest self-supporting log roof in the world.

President Dwight Eisenhower visited the Koshare Kiva back in the 1950s and acknowledged that the ceiling was truly amazing. It is a fascinating place, built by Boy Scouts interested in Indian lore. They raised the money to build the Kiva and also started collecting the art that is housed in the museum. Quite a testament to what young people can accomplish when they are inspired and supported in their efforts.

Anyway, it is a pretty cool place to attend a concert. I’m not sure how many people it holds, but it was full. We were in the third row, center and so had a clear view of Murphey.

The acoustics were excellent. We are not particular fans of MMM, but we have certainly been aware of his career through the years and daughter #1 and I remembered seeing him at the Grand Old Opry back in the late 1990s during his cowboy songs period. He was the honorary chairman of the Santa Fe Trail Bicentennial Symposium so we thought we should support the concert. I’m glad we did.

He is now 76 years old. A native Texan and descendant of Roger Williams (1603-1689), founder of the First Baptist Church in America, he is a student of history and a lover of all things western. It is in his blood he says, and I hear him. He has a good take on the pioneers, believing that they were not looking for money and power (as so many today believe) but a home and the freedom to live there. At the same time, he is a lifelong advocate for Native American rights. He talked at length during his concert about his various interests, and to be truthful, I could have done with less talking/lecturing. He rambled on for over 3 hours and how he stood there for that length of time, I do not know. (It was a long 3+ hours on my metal folding chair!) But he is an engaging old man now, who can still play like a virtuoso and his singing voice is strong and impressive.

So it was certainly worth staying up long after my bedtime to go to this concert, and I’ll admit that it’s a good idea to get out of one’s comfort zone every once in awhile.

It is supposed to rain all weekend, which is okay as I plan to stay home and get organized. And I’ll go to church–I haven’t been in two weeks while out of town!

Blessed Lord, who putteth down the mighty from their seat and exaltest those of low degree: Save us, we beseech thee, from pride and vainglory, from self-seeking and false ambition. Give us a humble and contrite spirit, that we may think less of ourselves, more of others, and most of all of thee, who art our mighty God and Saviour; to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit we ascribe all praise and glory, now and for evermore.

–Frank Colquhoun, evangelical priest and popular author in the Church of England

*Cowboy Logic by Michael Martin Murphey

4 Comments
September 16, 2021

“Speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world”*

by chuckofish

We have had some great weather this week. Sunny, warm and breezy, with low humidity–just great and much appreciated.

Our house has been in total disarray because we had some built-ins installed in our den this week. We had to take apart the audio/visual system so the guys could do it (2 days) and now we have to put it all back. The boy is coming over this morning before work to assist the OM. So. Many. Wires. Remember back in the day when you just plugged in the old television set? Now there is so much more to deal with. Surround sound. Oy.

This is a really good article contrasting two people who died this week (John Shelby Spong and comedian Norm MacDonald) and their different takes on Christianity.

I watched a movie recently (on Amazon Prime) which I can recommend: Mr. Church (2016) starring Eddie Murphy and directed by Bruce Beresford. It’s kind of a tear-jerker, but I enjoyed it.

The really amazing thing about this movie is the fact that, even though it’s about a black man bringing up a white girl, there is no racial conflict in the story. Never once does a white person sneer, look down on or insult Mr. Church. This probably explains why the film didn’t get good reviews. But Eddie Murphy plays it straight and the cast is excellent. (BTW, the trailer includes spoilers.)

And here’s another really good song from Mac Powell’s upcoming album:

Can’t wait til it drops on October 15.

One more thing: I could watch this amazing 3-year old 100 times:

Just a reminder:

The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.

–Thomas Watson (1620-1686)

*Billy Collins, “Litany”

4 Comments
September 7, 2021

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

by chuckofish

After daughter #1 headed back to mid-MO yesterday, I sat down to do some “desk work.” I got nothing much accomplished and I came up with very little to blog about.

The OM and I went to Ted Drewes for some frozen custard and later we watched a really worthless movie. I mean, I like Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson and Idris Elba, but Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbes and Shaw (2019) went beyond ridiculous to just plain stupid.

Who does non-stop computer-generated violence appeal to anyway? Fourteen-year old boys? Good God Almighty, I need a mental cleansing after that whatever you call it.

So here are Josh and Carson covering one of my favorite songs from the olden days.

P.S. Sweet Baby James was released as the first single from the James Taylor’s second album but it did not chart. Typical.

3 Comments
June 29, 2021

“Pick up your money, pack up your tent”

by chuckofish

Well, we’re down to the wire now. After nearly nineteen years, I am set to retire tomorrow from my flyover university. Today I’m taking my big ol’ iMac in to my old office, where I haven’t worked for a year and nearly a half. It is all kind of surreal. But I am happy and relieved. I prefer not to think of this as the end of something, but as the beginning of something.

I do not have a bucket list (except for going to Oklahoma City and Monument Valley) so I have no “plans” for my retirement beyond organizing my books. People always ask. I think what I am looking forward to is the “no plans” aspect.

I’ll finally finish my elephant which I began two years ago! Plus, I will have more time to devote to my blogposts, so expect to see some changes here.

Here’s a little John Greenleaf Whittier…

And present gratitude
Insures the future’s good,
And for the things I see
I trust the things to be;

That in the paths untrod,
And the long days of God,
My feet shall still be led,
My heart be comforted.

And a little Bob Dylan…

Strap yourself
To the tree with roots
You ain’t goin’ nowhere

There are a lot of covers of this song, but I have to love this version from Josh and Carson…

Grace and peace be with you today.

8 Comments
May 17, 2021

“Got some things to tell ya. Not a thing to sell ya.”*

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Daughter #1 came home on Friday afternoon and we convinced the OM to take us out to dinner. We sat inside at Amigo’s and had a margarita and quesadillas while he ate enough for three people. We girded our loins for the following day when we babysat the wee twins for a full 4 1/2 hours. (This may not sound like a long time–but multiply everything by 2 and you might get an idea of the chaos.)

We had fun playing,

FaceTiming with Cousin Katie (waving furiously),

eating lunch, playing some more,

A “roll”-over accident–get it?–the kid is a laugh riot.

and finally, camping out in the tv room to watch Disney’s Tarzan (their new favorite),

We also put together our large 49-piece puzzle map of the U.S.A.

This led to a discussion of geography and the wee laddie corrected me when I foolishly said there are 5 continents. “There are 7 continents,” he said and then he sang me a little song naming them. Miss Lottiebelle is a chatterbox with something to say about everything, but he comes in with the zingers.

After the movie, we went outside, despite the fact that it was drizzling, because we had reached our limit of inside antics. We threw the frisbee around, played a little field hockey, checked out the ants under the Hosta, sat in the back of the Cooper, and blew bubbles. The boy picked them up right on schedule and we retired inside to clean up the living room and drink a bottle of Rosé while listening to angsty tunes from the 2000s.

On Sunday we went to church where we reassured ourselves with Romans 8:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? 

As it turned out, the boy didn’t go into work, so the babes did not come over after all. Daughter #1 headed back to mid-Mo and I headed to bed, where I read and talked on the phone and napped. I think I am recovered sufficiently to work today.

And here are Josh and Carson with another cover from 1973.

*Riverboat Shuffle by Hoagy Carmichael

5 Comments
April 28, 2021

The scent of water

by chuckofish

Who didn’t get the memo? JK, there was no memo, which is even funnier.

Today I am standing in for daughter #1, who drove all over Missouri yesterday, after driving us around all weekend. I know she was exhausted when she finally rolled into Jeff City late yesterday afternoon, having made a side-trip to Springfield (to film a video) on the way home.

I too went back to work (in my upstairs office at home) and tried to get my mind off everyone leaving by concentrating on other things. Likewise daughter #2 is recovering from her trip home with her bright-eyed and very energetic baby. Life barrels on.

“Jean was visited by one of her rare moments of happiness, one of those moments when the goodness of God was so real to her that it was like taste and scent; the rough strong taste of honey in the comb and the scent of water. Her thoughts of God had a homeliness that at times seemed shocking, in spite of their power, which could rescue her from terror or evil with an ease that astonished her.”

― Elizabeth Goudge, The Scent of Water 

This article by John Piper about angels interested me. “So, all angels serve the good of all Christians all the time. They are agents, as it were, of Romans 8:28, making everything work together for good under God’s providence.” As a matter of fact, I call on angels every day, especially when my children are driving around the state and flying on planes. Does that surprise you?

Willie Nelson will celebrate his eighty-eighth birthday tomorrow. Here is one of my favorite recordings of his, a duet with Emmylou Harris from 1990.

Have a great Wednesday. I thank God that his mercies are new to me every morning and that his grace is sufficient for all situations that I may encounter. Peace to you.

4 Comments
April 20, 2021

“So now I’m going back again/ I got to get to her somehow/ All the people we used to know/ They’re an illusion to me now”*

by chuckofish

The 1970s is not my favorite decade. Although it is the decade of my long lost youth and beauty, I view those years with some horror and a bit of loathing. Lately, however, I have been revisiting the decade and finding comfort and, yes, even some joy in it.

Last weekend when daughter #1 and I recovered from one long bout of babysitting with a margarita at Club Taco, we listened with pleasure to the 1970s playlist being piped in. It wasn’t just the booze. I enjoyed hearing Don McLean, the Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bob Seger, the Who, Fleetwood Mac, even the Bee Gees, and so on.

Besides listening to music from yon olden days, I have to admit that I have been watching reruns of Adam-12, a show I wouldn’t have been caught dead watching as a teenager when it was first on TV (my father was a big fan) but with which I am now quite taken. In fact I watch it every weeknight instead of the evening news.

It looks like I’m not the only fan out there:

Love the Coldplay mood music

As you know I’ve also been watching Starsky and Hutch and Banacek from the 1970s. Where is all this nostalgia coming from (and where is it going) you ask. I couldn’t really say. But there is comfort to be found in the adventures of old Pete Malloy and Jim Reed and comfort is what I’m looking for I guess.

Don’t judge me, but I think this guy is next on the list.

Maybe the point is, when you get to be my age, you don’t care if it is cool to do something. And I can’t always be reading the Psalms.

P.S. I also like these kiddos doing covers of music from the 1970s.

P.P.S. Today is my birthday!

*Bob Dylan, “Tangled Up in Blue”

6 Comments
April 6, 2021

Nothing else but miracles

by chuckofish

The day after

I had a busy day at work on Monday–four Zoom meetings! So I don’t have a whole lot to share today. Meanwhile the grass is getting greener and the leaf blowers and lawn mowers are back with a vengeance.

Yesterday was Nebraska Day and this article was very interesting about classic movie stars who were born in Nebraska. It is a very impressive list–especially compared to Missouri. But, hey, we have Scott Bakula.

This article makes some good points. “Remote, virtual, disembodied fellowship simply isn’t enough.” We are all getting too comfortable with not seeing people.

We’ll “tip our hats an’ raise our glass of cold, cold beer” to the late, great Merle Haggard (1937–2016) on his the birthday today. (April 6 is also the day he died.) And I like this rendition of one of my favorites, Mama Tried, by Reina del Cid and Toni Lindgren:

When the California State University, Bakersfield, awarded Haggard the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts in 2013, Haggard stepped to the podium and said, “Thank you. It’s nice to be noticed.” Classic Hag.

So enjoy your Tuesday and channel some positive Walt Whitman attitude.

Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same,
Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

To me the sea is a continual miracle,
The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the
        ships with men in them,
What stranger miracles are there?

–Walt Whitman

4 Comments
March 29, 2021

Sittin’ on top of the world

by chuckofish

We took the train, as planned, to Jeff City on Thursday and got our 2nd vaccine shots on Friday morning at the HY-VEE. Everything was blooming in JC…

…and the river was high.

After saying ‘hey’ to old friends,

…and rewarding ourselves with a Chick-fil-A breakfast, daughter #1 drove us home. I took a nap.

We took it easy for the rest of the weekend, but the wee babes came over on Sunday. We blew bubbles on the driveway…

…and read the liner notes on some cool LPs we got at an estate sale…

and played with some more vintage wooden toys we unearthed in the basement…

…and only one boo-boo resulted.

Good times.

Here’s Paul Zahl’s list of movies to watch on TCM in April. Once again he hits the nail on the head.

Sir Laurence Oliver’s Henry V was produced in England in 1943 with morale in mind. Somehow it has never dated. (I prefer it to the Kenneth Branagh version for all kinds of reasons.). And the music, by Sir William Walton — well, one can remember almost every note.

He is my soul brother.

Have a good Monday! And here’s something from Josh Turner and Carson McKee who always make me smile.

5 Comments
March 19, 2021

“We’re all between perdition and the deep blue sea”*

by chuckofish

I had a very busy week at work and I hardly left the house. No trips to the recycling center or the Post Office to break up the monotony. I poked around in my yard from time to time, cutting daffodils, but it rained a lot, so I really didn’t go outside much. Our lives have been reduced to a very small scale indeed. If it weren’t for Zoom meetings, who would I see but the OM?

(Yes, I am grateful he is here!)

Thankfully I get to FaceTime with this precious babe who is taking after her namesake and dressing in my favorite neutral–leopard print. She is clearly feeling the vibe. (I think I need a jumpsuit!)

This weekend I plan to clean up the Florida Room in anticipation of warmer weather and being able to move all my houseplants out there soon. And I hope the wee babes will find time to come over and wreck havoc at our house. Life would be way too neat and tidy without them.

I’ll watch a movie from my Lenten List, because Easter is coming sooner than you think–two weeks! Maybe I’ll watch La vita è bella (1997) although it is a hard one, because the little fellow in it really reminds me of another little fellow I know.

But we need to watch, lest we forget what can actually happen. People who openly talk about re-education camps and deprogramming don’t seem to be able to make those connections.

Well, I’m feeling like some Ben Folds. How about you?

Yes, life barrels on like a runaway train. It won’t be too long until I am packing up my stuff in the office I haven’t been to in a year. And that’s okay with me.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances”

*Frank Loesser, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition”

6 Comments