dual personalities

Tag: poetry

January 13, 2025

Monday, Monday

by chuckofish

There was more snow on Friday than I anticipated, so no Friday happy hour, but we caught up on Saturday. Everybody was out and about. Daughter #1 and I went to our local antique mall after Mr. Smith had his shampoo, and it was hopping! Then we went to the Presbyterian re-sale shop where we stocked up on $1.50 dvd’s. I found Here Comes the Boom (2012) and embarrassed her by saying loudly, “Here comes the boom!” Sorry. Good to know I can still embarrass my non-teenage daughter in a public setting.

It was great to be back in church on Sunday after a few weeks away. We had a good sermon and an excellent adult ed class on the life and times of Francis and Edith Schaeffer. Francis Schaeffer was a leading 20th century Christian scholar and the author of How Should We Then Live?, but one with whom I was not acquainted before I became a Presbyterian. He was once actually the pastor of my church back in the 1940s. I have a lot to learn.

After church the fam came over to our house and we celebrated daughter #3’s belated birthday. We had tacos and the OM did all the cooking. Plus there was birthday cake and daughter #1 brough macaroons. I had not seen the twins since Christmas Eve and they seemed older and more mature. Funny how that works.

Now we are starting a new week and hopefully we will all get back on track after a week of working at home and snow days.

Suppose we did our work
like the snow, quietly, quietly.
leaving nothing out.

–Wendell Berry

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January 10, 2025

The world is more than we know

by chuckofish

Well, I finally ventured out into the world in my car to the grocery store! All went well. More snow today, though–fingers crossed for Friday happy hour!

Meanwhile, with Anne, “I am utterly astonished by the devastation from the fires [in California]. The best word to describe it is ‘dystopian hellscape.’ …Then to see the clips of interviews with the Mayor and the Chief of Police, and the footage of the LA Fire Department in a Pride Parade, and then to see the staggering news that the Mayor had cut the fire department budget by millions of dollars—the list of terrible revelations just goes on and on. But mostly the thing that sticks in the mind is the great wall of fire devouring everything. Some people—and I think it’s appropriate—have flung around the phrase ‘biblical proportions’.” …I mean, the level of governmental incompetence leading up to this disaster is mind-blowing.

As one pundit said, “In a very real sense, California in 2025 is the wilderness again, with nature and mankind returning to their feral states”, as assembled in this recent Babylon Bee video:

Anyway, our prayers are with the poor souls in California.

And this is interesting–about another surprise from Joe Rogan. You don’t have to watch the whole 3-hour interview with Christian apologist Wesley Huff, but check out the short 4-minute clip which will give you an idea of what went on in the conversation. As Denny Burk says, “It is so encouraging to hear the gospel so faithfully presented and defended. It’s also encouraging to encounter such a presentation on a program that reaches millions of people across the world. Let’s pray for the word to bear fruit.”

And here’s a poem by America’s first published poet, the Puritan Anne Bradstreet. “Here Follows Some Verses Upon the Burning of Our house, July 10th. 1666. Copied Out of a Loose Paper.“

Have a good weekend! Thank God for a warm, dry, safe home!

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January 8, 2025

[The] hardship of the January freeze*

by chuckofish

Another day of staying home with not much going on. I am grateful for my nice, snug house and a furnace that is fully functional. We all remember what it was like back in 2006 when the electricity was out for three days and we had no heat. No fun. In fact, really terrible.

I am not being overly productive, but I am getting odds ‘n ends taken care of and the Kirkwood Historical Review ready to send to the printer. And I am reading, actual books! I got several new ones for Christmas…Print the Legend: the Life and Times of John Ford by Scott Eyman (from my brother) and Drums Along the Mohawk by Walter D. Edmonds (from my sister). The latter was a huge bestseller back in 1936, staying on the bestseller list for two years. The Bantam Books edition went through no less than 48 printings between July 1936 and August 1956; the novel is still in print after eight decades.

Daughter #1 gave me the TCM film guide to the 50 Most Unforgettable Actresses of the Studio Era, wherein I found the nugget of information that Judy Garland was 4’11”–no wonder she was perfect with Mickey Rooney! Well, you learn something new every day.

I also bought the The New and Collected Poems of Richard Wilbur at an estate sale last weekend and so I have been dipping into it. Here’s one* of his poems to read.

And don’t forget to toast Elvis Presley today on what would have been his 90th birthday.

So as long as the holiday treats and the wine hold out, I’ll be fine.

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January 7, 2025

When it got cold

by chuckofish

Well, we are firmly encased under a blanket of snow. And it is quiet–so quiet–in my neighborhood. No cars, practically no one walking by. No leaf blowers. Very nice.

I suppose I should bundle up and go outside, “But for now I am a willing prisoner in this house,  a sympathizer with the anarchic cause of snow.”   (I really like this poem by Billy Collins about snow.)

And here’s an old song which uses the phrase “We bundled up”.

Our driveway is going to be plowed on Wednesday, so until then, we are stuck at home. I can dig it. Hang in there and I will too.

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December 31, 2024

The tapestries of afterthought*

by chuckofish

As Barnabas Piper says, “There is nothing magical or super spiritual about reading the Bible in a year. But there is something super wise and spiritual about prioritizing the reading of the Bible. And every Christian should read the entire Bible.”

Here is a list of some different Bible Reading plans for 2025.

Yesterday I caught up with my Bible reading plan (the Chronological Bible Reading Plan) and finished Revelation. Tomorrow I start a new plan–the 5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan–which I have done before and liked. Having a plan and following through with it has been an anchor in my spiritual life now for three years. I highly recommend it.

Try it or don’t–it’s up to you–but you might like it!

“A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

*From “Year’s End” by Richard Wilbur; read the whole poem here.

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December 18, 2024

For there is no friend like a sister*

by chuckofish

Today we toast my darling sister on her birthday. We have been together through thick and thin. Now we are both old retired ladies, trying to stay healthy and keep out of trouble.

I enjoy watching Katie and Ida as they navigate the rocky road of sisterhood. (And watching them watching Betty and Judy singing about “Sisters”!)

I pray that they will stay as devoted to each other as my sister and I, and though the miles may divide them, they will stay in close touch.

*“For there is no friend like a sister

In calm or stormy weather;

To cheer one on the tedious way,

To fetch one if one goes astray,

To lift one if one totters down,

To strengthen whilst one stands.”

(“Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti; read the poem here.)

And I thought this post by Ann, wherein she links to another post on X, is excellent on the subject of keeping the Christmas feast in a wayward and dark world. Read the whole thing.

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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 11, 2024

Teach us to number our days*

by chuckofish

Yesterday I spent three hours at the Mini dealer getting my Cooper ready to pass on to DN in a couple of weeks. It is not an unpleasant place to wile away a few hours. Steve, the service “advisor”, checks in from time to time and lets you know how it’s going and that they haven’t forgotten you. The Lounge is well stocked with a fancy coffee machine, water and treats. The TV was set to the Hallmark channel and I had come prepared with my phone and an actual book to read.

I read a good amount of A Day’s Journey by Tim Keesee, which tries to answer the question, “How do you make each day of your brief life count?” Keesee is a Christian and a cancer survivor. I am enjoying it. In each chapter he tells about an encounter with someone who has taught him something about a day well spent. They range from the well-known (Rosario Butterfield, Joni Eareckson Tada) to the unknown. There are a lot of good scripture references and quotes by people I like, such as this poem by Wendell Berry:

Anyway, the key to making a morning at the car dealership a pleasant experience, as with most things, is to be prepared and to have the right mindset. Be prepared to be there longer than expected and you will be pleasantly surprised when they call your name sooner than expected.

So be prepared, read some poetry and don’t forget to have some cash ready when you go to the grocery store and the Salvation Army person is ringing their bell outside the store. Give, give, give. ‘Tis the season.

*Psalm 90:12

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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
November 20, 2024

Casual simplicity

by chuckofish

Yesterday was a perfect fall day and a lovely one wherein to drive down to the city to pick up some “stuff” I won at last week’s auction. Forest Park was beautiful, sparkling in the sunshine. I drove by my old university and sighed contentedly that I no longer work there.

How happy is the little stone
That rambles in the road alone,
And doesn’t care about careers,
And exigencies never fears;
Whose coat of elemental brown
A passing universe put on;
And independent as the sun,
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute decree
In casual simplicity.

–Emily Dickinson

I had lunch with a friend and then later in the afternoon the boy and the bud came over while Lottie went to her dance class. We caught up on world events.

Then I had a Historical Society board meeting after dinner–quelle full day! Thankfully such days are not the rule.

And, look, the last rhododendron!

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