dual personalities

Tag: Weekend

March 20, 2023

My circus animals were all on show

by chuckofish

The twins’ Mom is out of town for a few days so they came over on Saturday for lunch and a movie. We watched the Disney classic Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks in a Circus (1960). I figured they are old enough to handle a 90-minute movie about a little boy who runs away to the circus and they mostly were.

I had seen the movie fairly recently and was struck by how appealing the chimp is (and I am not a monkey person). He and Kevin Corcoran are great together. The twins liked the monkey but they had a lot of questions. “Why is he wearing pants?” And they were kind of shocked by his naughty/depraved behavior (irony alert)!

They were, however, enthralled with the circus act scenes and were very impressed with the kids who did the stunt riding.

Lottie also couldn’t believe the elephants were “dancing in a conga line.”

I asked her where she learned about conga lines and she said from her friends at school. 🤔

Anyway, I recommend it as a wholesome movie with a (spoiler alert) happy ending. You better get a copy though before it is canceled. I mean, all those poor animals being made to wear pants and dance in conga lines…

Meanwhile Mr. Smith continues to grow and perfect his own dance routine.

He could jump through a ring of fire no problem.

For the first time in a long time I went to church on Sunday at 8:30 am by myself, because I wanted to go look at some houses with daughter #1 later in the morning. It was weird but also kind of nice to have no distractions. But don’t worry–I will be glad to have my distractions back!

Anyway, I was reminded of this poem by William Butler Yeats:

I sought a theme and sought for it in vain,

I sought it daily for six weeks or so.

Maybe at last being but a broken man

I must be satisfied with my heart, although

Winter and summer till old age began

My circus animals were all on show,

Those stilted boys, that burnished chariot,

Lion and woman and the Lord knows what.

Read the whole thing here.

3 Comments
March 13, 2023

Abide with me

by chuckofish

Another gloomy, cold, rainy weekend in flyover country–par for the course now that all the flowering trees have popped. Daughter #1 and I drove to Jeff City again to start packing up her apartment. She has a lot of stuff to pack…

But we made a start and we brought some plants home.

We were exhausted when we got back. We tried to watch The Robe (1953) but only made it as far as Marcellus being converted. We’ll watch the rest this week.

On Sunday morning the OM and I picked up the twins per usual since lacrosse season started and took them to church. Because the OM was an usher, we had to get there a little early, so the twins were able to indulge in coffee hour donuts.

I think I know why the OM volunteers to usher so often–it is because he can pretend he doesn’t know us and sit elsewhere. This week I gave the twins a C+ on the depravity scale for their behavior. I blame Satan and not the donuts. After church one of the Sunday School teachers told me Wheeler was “sad” and I said, “I’m sure he was–I took his toy away and made him sit right next to me with my arm around him.” She said, ‘Well, I told him I’m sorry you are sad,’ and he said ‘Thank you.'”

After church we drove them to their Dad’s store where they were going to hang out for awhile.

Good times. I am really looking forward to lacrosse season settling down.

Meanwhile daughter #2 tried the Easter dress my mother made for daughter #1 back in 1988 on Katie. It fit and so did the matching doll dress on her baby doll.

It was the last dress my mother made before she died and so we were all happy to see Katie in it. Someday Ida can wear it too.

Sunrise, sunset.

In other news, Mr. Smith got a quick bath in the kitchen sink.

Enjoy your Monday! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you today.

4 Comments
March 6, 2023

“There’s two angels sittin’ on my shoulders/All they ever do is disagree”

by chuckofish

It rained cats and dogs for about 18 hours on Friday here in flyover country. Thank goodness it wasn’t snow. I went to my biannual cancer checkup on Friday and had my annual infusion of bone medicine. Always nice to get that over with.

But we had a nice weekend with temps in the 60s. On Saturday daughter #1 and I drove over to Jeff City to check on things there and water her plants. We went to Walmart and bought some bins and made an initial swipe at packing things up. There is a lot to pack.

It was a lovely day to drive through the rolling hills of Osage and Gasconade Counties in mid-MO. I am always up for that. When we got home the OM took us to Hacienda for dinner and Margs.

On Sunday we picked up the twins again and took them to church where they earned an A- on Mamu’s depravity scale for keeping theirs in check. We brought them to our house afterwards so they could play with Mr. Smith. Daughter #3 joined us for bagels. Sadly, the boy was working (of course) and so no pictures were taken.

He did send pictures of a long story the wee bud wrote about a tornado. Here’s a sample:

He’s in kindergarten! I was impressed.

Meanwhile in Maryland, Katiebelle and Idabelle had a visitor. Their Mom’s oldest friend, whom she met in vacation bible school when she was six, came to visit.

They had a super fun time…eating donuts and introducing Julia to Pete the Cat.

Now it is Monday. Have a good one.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise him all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

–Thomas Ken, 1709

And here’s a bonus treat: before he became a country music superstar Chris Stapleton was in a bluegrass band…

Woohoo! They were smokin’!

5 Comments
February 27, 2023

While the nearer waters roll

by chuckofish

Well, of course, I had a really lovely time at my Big Event on Friday. I cut the ribbon on a newly renovated room named after me with a pair of hand-crafted wooden scissors which I now have in my office at home.

My former boss, the Dean Emeritus, said kind words about me and I was able to make some extemporaneous remarks without making a fool of myself. I even gave a little testimony about reading through the Bible under the heading “What I’ve been doing since I retired”. I read a poem. There was punch and cookies and I was hugged by a lot of people. Time well spent. God is good.

And in answer to the question, “What did you wear?”–I went full Eileen Fisher–i.e. old work clothes. And I got a corsage.

I spent the rest of the weekend recovering. I did make it to the Kirkwood Historical Society’s Black Heritage event on Saturday at Mudd’s Grove where I met some interesting people and reacquainted myself with a few others. And I got an idea for a Kirkwood Review article about Kirkwood’s own Tuskegee Airman.

The OM and I picked up the twins for church–The boy is still working seven days a week at his store–and I gave them a B+ for depravity control. Pappy was an usher so he was able to distance himself from them, that is until he went up to start passing the plate for the offering and the twins waved vigorously and stage-whispered “Pappy!” to get his attention. Soli deo gloria.

Meanwhile daughter #1 has been hanging out with daughter #2 and her petite famille in Silver Spring.

(That baby is growin’!)

If all goes according to plan and the creek don’t rise, she’ll return home later today. Mr. Smith will be so happy.

Blessed Lord, who wast tempted in all things like as we are, have mercy upon our frailty. Out of weakness give us strength; grant to us thy fear, that we may fear thee only; support us in time of temptation; embolden us in time of danger; help us to do thy work with good courage, and to continue thy faithful soldiers and servants unto our life’s end.

B.F. Westcott (1825-1901)
3 Comments
February 20, 2023

Publish glad tidings

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty quiet, the highlight being when the OM and I wrestled the two carseats into his car and picked up the wee twins to go to church on Sunday. (Lacrosse season starts today so the boy was working at his store all weekend.) It is always a treat to drive with the twins in the backseat and listen to their running commentary. Their total depravity surfaced only a few times during the service–i.e. the bud sang lustily along with “Publish Glad Tidings” but using his own lyrics–perhaps he was speaking in tongues. (I turned to Lottie and whispered, “What is your brother singing?” and she said, “I don’t know!”) When they left for Kids Praise worship, I relaxed and enjoyed a good sermon.

The OM and I also attended the Mission Dinner on Friday night where we learned all about Presbyterians in the Ukraine and in the Yucatan. Presbyterians love their missionaries and their missions around the world, which is a big change from the Episcopal Church where the very idea of missions is embarrassing to them.

Presbyterians are serious about missions. (“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”–Mark 16:15) Basically they are serious. I am learning this about them and I appreciate it. I am also learning to curb by innate sense of frivolity. But I am a Calvinist at heart and have always had a strong Puritan streak. It is wonderful to find folks who share this attitude.

Of course, daughter #1 poured me a glass of wine when we got home.

And the Amaryllis just keeps on blooming!

O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
To tell to all the world that God is light;
That He who made all nations is not willing
One soul should perish, lost in shades of night.

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
Tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.

–Mary A. Thompson, 1868
5 Comments
February 13, 2023

Postcards from the weekend

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? We had sunny blue skies but freezing temps. Still, Saturday was a lovely day to buzz over to Jeff City to check on daughter #1’s apartment and water her plants.

We had lunch at the Grand…

…and did a little mid-Mo shopping before heading home to walk the dog. It was a lot of driving, but the scenery of the rolling hills of Missouri never disappoints.

On Sunday morning I set up the dining room for a little after-church Valentine party for the wee twins…

In church we had a baptism and it was the twin’s Sunday School teacher’s baby and the little bud stood up and said “Hi Mr. Patrick!” and waved. When the pastor walked with the baby down the center aisle and we all sang “Jesus Loves Me” I cried and my mascara ran. Par for the course.

Later at home, after bagels and party favors, we played outside with Mr. Smith who is living his best life.

Meanwhile baby Idabelle continues to thrive…

…and Katie continues to be the best big sister, reading to her constantly…

“A bunny, that’s right a bunny!”

…and replacing her binky immediately when it falls out of baby’s mouth.

So onward to Monday! God is in control.

Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight;

Be thou my dignity, thou my delight,

Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower:

raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

–Hymn #642, verse 3

(My latest floral arrangement for church on Sunday–not bad, right?)

4 Comments
February 6, 2023

Let me not sink to be a clod

by chuckofish

Well, the weekend started out chilly and chill, the highlight being daughter #1’s sighting of a very large hawk on the back fence.

Later the same day we spotted a bald eagle flying over our neighborhood! We were not fast enough to snap a picture, but it was exciting. Mais vraiment, two large raptors in one day! According to our local news rag, it is the season for Turkey Buzzards to return from their southern migration, so we’ll be on the lookout for them, although, let’s be honest, it is not very exciting to see vultures.

Another highlight was going to The Cracker Barrel for dinner! We had not been there in many, many years, but after hearing that they now serve alcohol, we headed over to Fenton around 4:45 pm so we could get a table without having to wait on the front porch. We were pleasantly surprised with our meals (mine was from the kid’s menu) and the addition of a cold Blue Moon only enhanced the experience.

“Yeah, that’s a big bite. I’m a big boy.” (The hashbrown casserole is delish.)

At church on Sunday, the wee laddie filled out the welcome card as usual…

…before heading down to Sunday School. The service still fills me with joy and sets me on my course for the week. Amen.

We went home afterwards and ate bagels and then went outside to frolic…(Lottie was sick at home with her Mom, but Mr. Smith got quite a workout with just the wee laddie, chasing the car and playing soccer.)

It was even warm enough to do some driveway sittin’! It was so great to see the sun and that blue sky!

Meanwhile, the two sisters continue to bond adorably…

Have a good week! “By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2: 24-25)

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified;
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

–Amy Carmichael

4 Comments
January 30, 2023

Let your light shine before others

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was a nice back-to-normal one–estate sales, going out to lunch, happy hour with music at home, and church on Sunday. The boy and Lottie came over after church for Presbyterian Souffle. (The bud was sick and stayed home with Mom.) Mr. Smith continued to grow.

And Baby Ida went for her first walk in the stroller.

We watched some good movies: The High and the Mighty (1954), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).

This was an interesting article about the turnaround of Barnes and Noble (and a lesson for the church.) “There’s a lesson in the Barnes & Noble turnaround. Remember your first love. And don’t lose sight of your ultimate purpose.”

Keep reading, keep praying, keep showing up. Pay attention. “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1)

2 Comments
January 9, 2023

“Morning by morning new mercies I see”*

by chuckofish

We took down the Christmas decorations at church on Friday, so we are “back to normal” all around I guess.

I had a busy weekend, which included putting together a portable coat rack so daughter #1 has somewhere to hang her clothes, a DAR meeting, lunch out at a new diner, grocery shopping, visiting a house for sale (for daughter #1), church, and celebrating daughter #3’s birthday with Presbyterian Soufflé and cake. (This is the last of our four birthdays between November 28 and January 6.)

All this was accomplished in between walking the puppy. Phew. I am tired just thinking about it.

This week will be slower. I just have to get ready to fly to Baltimore on Saturday to help daughter #2 as she is due to give birth very soon. (Another January birthday!)

In the meantime, here are some fascinating events and discoveries from 2022 that you might have missed–I know I did.

This is a good reminder to stop grumbling.

And here’s a word from our Katiebelle:

So many.

Great is thy faithfulness!

Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see:

All I have needed thy hand hath provided—

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

–Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

Is it time for a walk?

3 Comments
December 19, 2022

Ding dong! Merrily on high

by chuckofish

Well, we are into the holiday swing of things here in flyover country. The tree is up, thanks to the boy coming over and putting it in the stand and daughter #1 coming home to help decorate it. We are cooking with gas, as they say.

I went to see Lottie’s ‘Holiday Show’ put on by the dance studio where she takes lessons.

As always, she was front and center and knew all the moves and words to the song. Her brother, watching from the sidelines, pronounced it a “Nice job!” at the end.

On Saturday the OM, daughter #1 and I got up and dressed in our warmest gear so that we could go to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery to put wreaths on veterans’ graves as part of the Wreaths Across America event which coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. My DAR chapter is a sponsor, so I volunteered to participate and the OM and daughter #1 gallantly offered to go along. However, the traffic down in Lemay was insane, backed up onto the highway, and after making a wrong turn into No Man’s Land, we cut bait and headed home. I felt bad until the DAR lady who coordinated our group replied to my email telling her that we were baling by saying she had been stuck in traffic for over an hour herself. The next day she followed up to say that she had been in a traffic line for over an hour and a half just waiting to pick up the wreaths! Zut alors. The best laid plans and all that.

(KSDK.com photo)

So we went home and decorated the tree and then I took a nap.

This weekend we also watched Home Alone (1990) which never fails to entertain…

…and Hatari (1962), Howard Hawks’s wonderful movie about a diverse group of fun-loving adventurers who capture exotic animals in Africa to export to zoos all over the world.

All the actors did their own stunts and, although they thought they might die any day, they all looked like they were having a terrific time. And Henry Mancini wrote the score.

Meanwhile the wee dog is becoming acclimated to car rides and short stays at our house, not to mention watching John Wayne movies.

This is a good thing because he will be moving in with us very soon. He is a happy little fella.

At church I noticed that I am finally able to sing without setting off a coughing fit. Finally. But both daughters are sick as is precious Katiebelle who I hear is watching A Charlie Brown Christmas on demand. “More Snoopy!”

We all have our coping mechanisms.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

–Edward Mote, 1834

6 Comments