dual personalities

Tag: music

September 9, 2025

Bound for glory

by chuckofish

Our beautiful weather continues, although they say it is going to heat up again by the end of the week. I will endeavor to live in the moment and enjoy it.

This made me LOL:

This is an interesting article about an unexpected encounter with an American Patriot. “I was intrigued to see a solitary grave with a military headstone out in the middle of nowhere. There were no houses or businesses anywhere in sight. It was a very rural area without any nearby tourist attractions…Not a place where I expected to see a veterans’ cemetery or even a solitary grave.”

The twins are coming over to my house tonight while their parents go to some parent-teacher thing at school. I am planning to make them suggest we watch The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1963), also known as Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. I loved that movie when I was their age and especially the song.

You remember the story of Dr. Syn, a country vicar who leads a rebel band against the King’s naval press gangs in the 18th century. Dr. Syn conceals his secret identity behind a sackcloth mask, and carries on activities a la Scarlet Pimpernel from his parish base. The twins may be too jaded to enjoy it, but I hope not.

And Josiah Queen has a new song!

4 Comments
August 19, 2025

“‘Rando’ is a slang term for a person of no significance.”*

by chuckofish

There are still an amazing bounty of flowers still blooming in our flyover town. It must be all that rain we had in the spring. Long after the Daylilies in my yard are gone, Don’s garden is still pretty lush…

Meanwhile the twins started third grade and Katie started kindergarten. Sunrise, sunset. And I guess that means the summer is over…

This picture of the prairie girls reminds me of the conversation I had with Lottie about her recent trip to Oklahoma. I said, oh yes, they have great clouds in Oklahoma–big sky, big clouds. And she said (with a bit of a tone) well, their clouds are no better than our clouds here in Missouri! I stand corrected.

Here’s a wonderful reminder from John Piper about God’s provision for us.

We won’t endure on our own. God brings brothers and sisters in Christ into our lives to help us along the path to heaven. That’s actually one of the great themes in Bunyan’s famous allegory Pilgrim’s Progress. Faithful and Hopeful are the friends Christian needs, his fellowship, along his path to the gates of the Celestial City.

And I really like the new Zach Williams song, don’t you?

*Oliver in Only Murders in the Building

Mabel Mora – “I’m a stranger that lied to you a bunch. And you’re two randos that dragged me into a podcast.”

Oliver Putnam – “‘Rando’ is a slang term for a person of no significance.”

Charles-Haden Savage – “I used context clues, but thank you.”

Oliver Putnam – “You’re welcome.”

3 Comments
August 18, 2025

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

by chuckofish

I spent a lot of time with my therapy dog Mr. Smith this weekend. Also daughter #1 and I went through more stuff. She also played DJ and we listened to old CDs, which we haven’t done in ages. (We bought an old LP at an estate sale on Saturday and that got us started.)

Don Williams is just the best for whatever ails you–I think even Mr. Smith mellowed out to his dulcet tones.

I went to church and Sunday School; the sermon was on Psalm 24.

I love that the Westminster Shorter Catechism answers the question, What is the chief end of man?, so clearly and concisely: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. That is what Psalm 24 is about. God is the creator and we are the worshippers–with clean hands and a pure heart.

Have a good week. Pet a nice dog, listen to some good music, worship God and enjoy Him forever. Feel the joy.

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

(Psalm 1:1-2)

2 Comments
August 12, 2025

Walk of life

by chuckofish

The twins came over yesterday morning so their parents could go to work (school doesn’t start until next week). Lottie and I did another Hobby Lobby craft. The bud said no thanks and brought up tubs of Lego from the basement to play with. Then they went upstairs and entertained themselves while I puttered around. Then we went to the Sunnyside cafe where they wolfed down dinosaur pancakes and bacon and read the hilarious riddles on the kids menu.

Then I took them to their Dad’s store where they are allowed to look at iPads. They are happy kids. Praise God.

In other news, I am re-watching all the seasons of Only Murders in the Building in preparation for the fifth season which begins in September. What can I say? I just love Charles, Oliver and Mabel and the plot twists and turns of the show. I love what the show says about friendship and loneliness and families. It is the best thing on TV.

We also want to mention that it is the birthday of Cecil B. DeMille (August 12, 1881 – January 21, 1959), legendary American filmmaker. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of American cinema and the most commercially successful producer-director in film history. So we should all pick one of his films to watch. He made a lot of good ones.

It is also Mark Knopfler’s birthday. We have been fans for a long time.

Of course.

So watch a good movie, listen to some good music, praise God from whom all blessings flow.

2 Comments
August 11, 2025

Abide with me

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Daughter #1 and I worked on the basement some more, keeping this…

…always in mind.

The sermon on Sunday was about Psalm 23, which we read, of course, at the OM’s funeral. The scripture reading was John 10:7-30, which includes: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (Our pastor shared that with the OM on the night he died.) All the hymns were about the good shepherd and we sang On Jordan’s Stormy Bank I Stand, which is a favorite.

Never forget that God promises his presence no matter what our suffering is. His sheep are safe. My cup runneth over.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

3 Comments
March 10, 2025

Hold on wait a minute

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was routine–an estate sale, happy hour, DAR meeting, church–and that’s the way I like it. [At the DAR meeting, when we recited the preamble to the U.S. constitution, I thought of Barney Fife.] Also, the OM accompanied me when I took my car to the carwash. Usually he does this for me, but I wanted to take my new car myself–so, very exciting indeed.

I picked up the twins and took them to church and Sunday School where they had a good time learning about the Great Commission. The service was long, but this week they got an A for effort despite the fact that the bud brought his new Stikbot with him to church. He knew I would take it away if he misbehaved, so…

…maybe that helped. The bud said the Apostles Creed unprompted and from memory and they both held up their hands during the benediction like good little evangelicals. I was so proud. After church we went to the Sunny Street Cafe for pancakes and daughter #1 met us there. I had to drive them back to their Dad’s store afterwards, but I don’t mind since I always hear lots of interesting stuff emanating from the back seat. Such as: the bud went to his first rock 101 class (in addition to drum lessons) wherein he plays with a band! Zut alors. Girls and boys lacrosse also has started outside. Lottie plays with 10 year-olds.

Meanwhile Sen. John Kennedy from Louisiana is my favorite new Instagram follow:

Have a great week!

P.S. The picture at the top is a drawing Katie made of her sister Ida, complete with pigtails and an “I” Illinois orange t-shirt. Brilliant.

2 Comments
February 20, 2025

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

by chuckofish

On this day in 1792 The Postal Service Act was signed into law by President George Washington. This piece of legislation established the United States Post Office Department. The 1792 law provided for a greatly expanded postal network, and served editors by charging newspapers an extremely low rate. The law guaranteed the sanctity of personal correspondence, and provided the entire country with low-cost access to information on public affairs, while establishing a right to personal privacy. To cover long distances, the Post Office used a hub-and-spoke system, with Washington as the hub and chief sorting center. By 1869, with 27,000 local post offices to deal with, it had changed to sorting mail en route in specialized railroad mail cars, called railway post offices, or RPOs. The system of postal money orders began in 1864. Free mail delivery began in the larger cities in 1863.

The postal system played a crucial role in national expansion. It facilitated expansion of the western American frontier by creating an inexpensive, fast, convenient communication system. Furthermore, The advent of Rural Free Delivery (RFD) in the U.S. in 1896, and the inauguration of a domestic parcel post in 1913, greatly increased the volume of mail shipped nationwide, and motivated the development of more efficient postal transportation systems. (After four-year-old Charlotte May Pierstorff was mailed from her parents to her grandparents in Idaho in 1914, mailing of people was prohibited.)

Well, all I can say is nowadays we are lucky to get our mail at all, especially if it has snowed or it is cold. Back in January we didn’t get mail for a week!

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”, a phrase long associated with the American postal worker, no longer seems very relevant. Sigh. Come to think of it, we haven’t gotten any mail this week either!

Well, while we’re reminiscing about the good ol’ days of the P.O., let us remember this classic paean to letter writing…

Woah…that brought me back!

So keep warm, dress in layers…

My sister sent pictures of the snowfall up in their neck of the woods (upstate New York)–yikes!

….the deepest she’s ever seen!

Have a great day! It’s almost Friday!

6 Comments
February 5, 2025

A scrolling world

by chuckofish

You may have noticed that I have been trying to read real books lately. I was shocked to realize that, indeed, I read very few entire books in 2024. Part of that is because most contemporary fiction is not worth the effort, and part of it is because I cannot read at bedtime because I fall asleep.

Well, I have given myself permission to read during the day–a silly thing, but it is something I struggle with. I am retired, I tell myself. I can do what I want. I do not have to be particularly “productive”.

But some of it, I must admit, is because I have a hard time focusing on reading. Obviously, this is not just my problem. This about reading in a scrolling world is pertinent to what a lot of us are feeling. Brain rot is real.

Well, I did read through the Bible for the third year in a row, so I can pat myself on the back for that. Right now, in my 5x5x5 NT reading plan, I am in the book of Acts, and Stephen–whose “face is like the face of an angel”–is about to be martyred. Sela.

The Grammy Awards are as out of touch as anything else these days, but the Americana genre keeps producing some interesting artists, including this year’s big winner, Sierra Ferrell…

So take heart, put your phone away, read a book!

“Why, what’s the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?”

–William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

4 Comments
February 3, 2025

Well may we rejoice and sing

by chuckofish

It has warmed up quite a bit (thank goodness) and I got out and about this weekend. I did the flowers at church first thing on Saturday morning and then ventured down to the city to go to an estate sale. Daughter #1 and I were so adventurous! It was a nice house in Compton Heights down by St. Louis University, the same vintage (c. 1903) as the house I grew up in with three stories and lots of dark wood. We got a couple of books and a tassel curtain tieback for the window in my office. We said hey to our friend Lamar (who gave us our Lamar discount). We stopped at Straub’s on the way home and treated ourselves to lunch which we ate back at her house.

On Sunday, church was wonderful, as usual, but the communion hymn just broke me down to tears. They streamed down my face and I was such a mess at the end of the service. My son laughed at me a little, but with love.

William Cowper wrote this hymn in 1771 and it still packs a punch. The old Anglican hymns are pretty much all we have left of the Episcopal denomination, which is really sad. And I doubt if they sing this hymn anymore.

In our adult ed class we continued to learn about Francis and Edith Schaeffer and the founding of L’Abri, the French word for “shelter,” because they sought to provide a shelter from the pressures of a relentlessly secular 20th century. As time went by, so many people came that others were called to join the Schaeffers in their work, and more branches were established. Even Bob Dylan spent time there.

I had plans for after church, but everything fell apart, as sometimes happens. But it was a nice afternoon so I went over later to daughter #1’s house and enjoyed having Mr. Smith balance on my lap for some Mamu scritch-scratches until too many people had the nerve to walk by the house and he lost his doggie mind doing his Westie duty (i.e. barking).

This strikes me as very true. “Our phone has given us a constant stream of information. One thing it hasn’t given us is boredom. What if that was a costly bargain? A priceless forfeiture? What if it turns out that downtime from the fire hose of infinite data is necessary for good thinking, and for good life?”

By the way, don’t miss 31 Days of Oscar on TCM this month. The next ’31 days’ are dedicated to celebrating Academy Award-winning and nominated films leading up to the 97th annual Academy Awards, which air on March 2. I couldn’t care less about the Oscars in 2025–I haven’t seen a new movie at the movies since 2006–but there is a treasure trove to DVR this month on TCM. For instance, The Sting (1973) and Double Indemnity (1944) are on tonight!

So sing an old hymn, watch an old movie, pet a nice dog. Enjoy your Monday!

“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1)

3 Comments
January 27, 2025

And the Lord will be my portion/ In the empty wilderness*

by chuckofish

Is it still January? This month seems endless, doesn’t it? I stayed home most of last week and there was no happy hour on Friday because daughter #1 was sick (and no shampoo for Mr. Smith!) The OM and I did have a social event on Saturday night which entailed getting dressed up and driving at night, but we went and I had a very good time. We had cocktails and dinner and listened to a talk by the daughter of Vincent Price about her father who grew up in St. Louis. He was quite a character. I talked to more people and socialized more than I had all week (maybe all month).

Sunday I went to church with the boy and the twins and then we had brunch at the Sunny Side Diner, which is a favorite of ours. They had dinosaur-shaped pancakes and bacon and were ready to go to lacrosse in the afternoon, sated and full of the Holy Spirit.

I liked this article about the ministry of small things: “The ‘ministry of small things’ is consistent with how the Bible teaches us to think about God’s kingdom. In His parable of the yeast, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven starts with something as modest as a dash of leaven. Yeast is practically invisible, and you don’t see it working, yet as it slowly permeates the dough, it has a formidable impact (Matt. 13:22). Our little works, patiently and consistently done, can bring about something big.”

I sure. like to think so.

And here’s a new song I like:

Tomorrow there will be a guest post from daughter #2, so don’t miss it!

*Wendell Kimbrough & Paul Zach

4 Comments