dual personalities

Tag: spirituality

May 27, 2026

This and that

by chuckofish

I had to go to the doctor’s for an annual ‘well’ visit yesterday morning so I treated myself to a daytime John Wayne birthday screening of The Horse Soldiers (1959) in the afternoon. It was great, of course, a true tonic for what ails ya. At least for me. It is important to know what your tonic is. (Hopefully not drugs or alcohol.)

On the evening of Memorial Day, after my family had gone home, I watched Twelve O’Clock High (1949), which is Gregory Peck’s greatest film (except for To Kill a Mockingbird). He should have won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Brig. General Frank Savage.

As I have said before, it is incredible to me how the pilots and crews of those B-17s managed to do what they did over and over again. It is no wonder that many succumbed to battle fatigue, which is what this movie addresses. The film made use of actual combat footage during the battle scenes and the results are impressive. If you haven’t viewed it recently, treat yourself.

I also cleaned my closet and threw away/gave away a ton of old shoes that I will never wear again. That feels good.

And here’s another good one from Kevin DeYoung about What We Need Most. “Our main problem is not lack of time or resources or the annoying people in our lives. Your main problem and my main problem is that we do not see enough the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 

(Prairie Peony)

And remember this:

“Only if your god can outrage and challenge you will you know that you worship the real God and not a figment of your imagination…If your god never disagrees with you, you might just be worshipping an idealized version of yourself.”

–Tim Keller

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May 21, 2026

Our own imperfect thoughts and vain opinions

by chuckofish

I had a very busy day yesterday with three–count ’em–events to attend. It was crazy, but I survived.

The first was a very chichi luncheon in Tower Grove Park to which I was invited by a dear friend. I had a lovely time and caught up with another old friend and talked to some people with whom I had weird connections.

The featured speaker was a “leading voice in ecological landscape design, pioneering a plant-systems approach that anticipates a changing future”–zut alors! It was actually quite interesting.

Then I went to the opening reception of an art and photography show at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center where my co-editor of the Kirkwood Historical Review’s work was featured. I was so impressed with Ron’s photos! He has traveled all over the world, but his pictures are not, here’s the Eiffel Tower. They’re like, here’s a wall that looks like a Mondrian painting or here’s a crack in the ceiling that looks like Winston Churchill. Who knew 90-year old Ron was an artiste!

Finally, I went to the “Poetry Corner” at the Schaeffer House at my church to, yes, read poetry and discuss. I enjoyed it, but the chairs were very uncomfortable and it had been a long day, so I went home at the earliest opportunity. As daughter #1 says, I know how to break up a party.

Well, it’s good to get outside your comfort zone once in awhile. Read some poetry!

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May 7, 2026

This and that

by chuckofish

That’s a photo of an Allium (Allium giganteum) in Don’s yard. Isn’t it impressive? I’ve always wanted one in my yard. As he says, “Who doesn’t love a ball of purple stars?”

Well, I have been crossing items off my to-do list this week. And patting myself on the back as I go.

I also did my small group homework, reading Matthew 13…

“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Those darn thorns, right? He who has ears, let him hear.

Did you hear that the Department of Education is investigating my alma mater Smith College, one of the “Seven Sisters” all-female colleges, for violations of Title IX regarding discrimination on the basis of sex? “An all-women’s college loses all meaning if it is admitting biological males,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey, said in a statement. Smith College changed its policy in 2015 to consider any applicant who self-identifies as a woman. 

I am LOL-ing so hard.

And the Babylon Bee hits the nail on the head once again:

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May 6, 2026

Everything’s gonna be all right

by chuckofish

Yesterday I had lunch with one of my old friends from my flyover university. In the past I have met him at his retirement community and we eat lunch there, but he wanted to go out, so I took him to Shake Shack which is nearby and has good parking. I was a little nervous about getting in and out of my car with his walker and generally maneuvering around safely, but all went well. We had a delightful time talking about poetry and J.D. Salinger, the University of Illinois, and getting older. Quite a free-wheeling conversation. He believes the universe is all particles and energy, but we recited the 23rd psalm together and it was nice.

On the way to pick him up, Joy99 played this new Matt Maher song, so I knew everything would be all right:

Why do I ever worry?

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April 30, 2026

A little history to know and tell

by chuckofish

It is the last day of April! Zut alors!

Today we celebrate the signing of the Edict of Nantes in 1598 by Henry IV of France, whereby Calvinist Protestants (Huguenots) were granted substantial rights in the nation, which was predominantly Catholic.

(The Edict of Nantes document, 1598; preserved in the Archives Nationales of France)

Of course, this edict was revoked in 1685 by King Louis XIV, and Protestantism was declared illegal. This had very damaging results for France. While the wars of religion did not re-ignite, intense persecution of Protestants took place. All Protestant ministers were given two weeks to leave the country unless they converted to Catholicism and all other Protestants were prohibited from leaving the country. In spite of the prohibition, the renewed persecution – including many examples of torture – caused as many as 400,000 to flee France. Most moved to Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Prussia, Switzerland, and the Thirteen Colonies in North America. You may recall that I wrote recently about the father of Paul Revere, who came to Massachusetts as a 13-year old Huguenot refugee, fleeing persecution in France. 

Indeed, this exodus deprived France of many of its most skilled and industrious individuals who made up a large part of the French middle class. One can argue that the nation never quite recovered. The Revolution followed 100 years later.

But, hey, in October 1985, to commemorate the tricentenary of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, President Francois Mitterrand of France announced a formal apology to the descendants of Huguenots around the world. Oh, and they issued a special postage stamp.

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April 27, 2026

As I dwell in the land of the living

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Our weather was perfect! The Iris continued to wow…

And even the Japanese Iris (my favorite) is blooming!

Praise the Lord!

I met with two old friends for a Diet Coke date at McD’s on Friday afternoon–until it was overrun with Middle Schoolers after school–some things never change. As daughter #2 commented, “That was such a part of my life back in the day!” Mr. Smith came over a little later and daughter #1 played Bluetooth DJ…

We had Chik-fil-a for dinner–perfect!

On Saturday I went to a gathering celebrating the Saint Louis Watercolor Society’s 30th anniversary. My friend Mirka had a painting there and we had fun catching up. Then we went to the Annex in Webster Groves to hear our friend Gary play with his Bluegrass band.

Always a good time! Live music! Wine on the patio!

On Sunday I went to church by myself and heard a good sermon on Joshua 12:1, 6-7, 24; 13:1-7. Later I was able to go to the bud’s lacrosse game in the afternoon and catch up with the boy on the sidelines.

It was a busy weekend, indeed, with more social activities than usual! Now onward to the week ahead.

Thank God for his faithfulness! Thank God the President of the U.S. is unharmed. (As Anne wrote: “I am not inclined to think of the violent deaths of public figures as some sort of mere cultural spectacle, sometimes justifiable if enough people are angry about “social” justice. As rosy fingered—more like cloudy and gray—dawn is creeping up over the horizon, it seems the first post lamenting the fact that the gunman did not succeed has already appeared.”) So put down your phone and go outside. Pull some weeds. Talk to your neighbor. Pet a nice dog. Watch an old movie all the way through. Read a book! Better yet, open your Bible!

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April 23, 2026

Oh, the sun rolls down, big as a miracle/And fades from the Midwest sky

by chuckofish

Woohoo! Iris season!

One of my old administrative assistants gave me these Iris bulbs for my birthday one year because I always admired hers so much. The OM and I planted them and they have been bringing me joy ever since.

Wow.

And my sister (and DP) sent me this song:

Hope you enjoy! (It made me cry.)

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April 16, 2026

You wait for me

by chuckofish

There are buds on the Iris plants!

We got a lot of rain last night and the tornado sirens went off, but nothing dire.

I have been listening to Ligonier’s Renewing Your Mind series and highly recommend it. R.C. Sproul launched this outreach in 1994 to help people gain a deeper understanding of who God is as their minds are renewed according to His Word. Each episode is about 25 minutes long and is well worth your time.

And from the gee-whiz-that-was-inevitable department: Hampshire College is closing. When I went to Smith in the ’70s Hampshire was the newbie in the 5-college valley–opened in 1970–and it was kind of joke even then. I mean, Elliott Smith went there. (His undergrad senior thesis was titled “Toward a Post-Structuralist Feminist Jurisprudence”. After he graduated, he “worked in a bakery back in Portland with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and legal theory”.) The story of higher education in a nutshell.

Meanwhile I am getting ready for daughter #2 and the prairie entourage to arrive tomorrow. Super fun expected. Here’s Ida’s new favorite song:

I’m sorry it took so long
I was takin’ the long way home
But You wait for me (oh-oh)
Oh, You wait for me (oh-oh)

Praise God for his patience and kindness.

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April 9, 2026

Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.*

by chuckofish

I made it to the prairie! A very windy trip indeed, but I am getting the hang of it.

We have had a productive few days…

…doing puzzles, taking walks…

…organizing the girls’ room which they are are now sharing with our antique twin beds…

Good times.

Today we have another day together with plans for more organizing fun. The weather has been great, but it will probably rain when I head home tomorrow. C’est la vie.

Embrace the simple pleasures in your life and be grateful for them. The blue sky, smart kids, good food, God’s beautiful creation, encouraging friends, faithful family.

*Matthew 6:26

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April 7, 2026

A little that a righteous man has/ Is better than the riches of many wicked*

by chuckofish

Everything is greening up nicely in flyover country. I am heading up to the prairie for a few days today for some hang-out time with the girls and the prairie prince. The speedwagon is loaded up and raring to go. But first I have to vote for city council members and school board members. It is my civic duty!

And this is one of the greatest things I’ve seen in a long time:


Who knew Bluegrass was a thing in Japan?!

Look up! Pray for the day ahead. Pray that you might bring glory to God, in thought, word and deed. Thank God that his mercies are new every morning. Thank God that his grace is sufficient for all situations that you may encounter.

*Psalm 37:16

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