dual personalities

Tag: Weekend

June 28, 2021

“Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise”*

by chuckofish

Well, the highlight of my weekend was on Sunday when, much to my delighted surprise, the guest preacher at my church was Ligon Duncan, the Chancellor & CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. He is a titan in the reformed world. I was introduced to Rev. Duncan (along with R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Sinclair Ferguson) in my research over the last few years, and had watched him on numerous panels and teaching Youtube videos. He did not disappoint in person. Turns out, he is in town for the General Assembly of the PCA. Glory be.

I guess that makes me a bonafide nerd–getting excited about a Presbyterian elder churchman giving a sermon–but I don’t care. As one social commentator recently wrote: “Thankfully, I am considered irrelevant to the current culture and personally proud to be so.” I am an old retired lady and no one cares what I think anymore, so I am happy to go my merry way and think my own thoughts.

Meanwhile, I continue to “organize” my office at home. I have had to bring home a lot of stuff from my office at work, and, of course, there is no room for any of it at home. In the hope of clearing some space, I was looking through some old notebooks and I found this portrait the boy drew of his baby sister when he was 4 1/2 years old. Not a bad likeness.

The notebooks include the kind of anecdotes mothers love to save about their precious offspring, such as:

M. and W. are playing in the cellar with the old dress-up clothes. M. comes upstairs to show me something, exclaiming, “Oh, I remember when I wore this, when I would go over to Grandma’s house. Oh, these things are full of memories for me! Oh, my memories!” (This from a six year old.)

Our memories indeed. What would we do without them? It is fun to sift through them and look back fondly, but we have to live in the present. And there is plenty going on in the present.

For instance, the wee twins came over Sunday night for a frolic and a pre-gaming 4th of July barbecue.

They ran around outside in between thunder storms. They love the slight slope of our front lawn. It adds just that extra je ne sais quoi of excitement that makes them feel like they are flying.

Today they start lacrosse camp! Can’t wait to see their Indian pick-up at the end of the week.

Hang in there–stay hydrated!

*Robert Robinson, 1758

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June 14, 2021

“Let the world deride or pity/I will glory in thy name”*

by chuckofish

It was so nice to worship in a full church on Sunday where everyone lustily sang the hymns (mask-free) and listened to the 45 minute sermon. Hallelujah!

In other news, daughter #1 came home on Thursday in order to attend my flyover university retirement event along with the OM and the boy. Because of COVID, events such as this are now limited to 30 people, must be held outside and food cannot be served. Let the festivities begin. There was a giant TV screen set up in the courtyard so a 30-minute video could be shown celebrating moi. However the sun was shining and so the video was unviewable. Everyone huddled under the spindly trees in order to catch a breeze in the humid 95-degree swelter and there was no water served. They gave me a cut crystal vase engraved with “Twenty Years”…

and I couldn’t help thinking of this:

Afterwards we went home and ate lunch and that was nice. The boy and the OM went back to work and daughter #1 and I headed to Club Taco to sit outside and drink Margaritas. It was still very hot though so after awhile we went home and sat in the air conditioning. Ah, summer in St. Louis.

On Friday I had to work (and will continue to do so for the next two weeks.) The boy and his family came over for pizza on Friday night for a frolic before they headed to Florida early on Saturday morning. They made it after an 18-hour drive (held up in Atlanta traffic I guess).

Jealous!

Daughter #1 and I went to an open house at Mudd’s Grove (1859) where our local historical society is housed. We ran into several acquaintances and we had actual conversations with them. It was kind of weird, I must say. No masks!

We went out to lunch (!) and to an estate sale and had what we used to think was just a normal Saturday. Delightful.

While we were out, the OM went to the hardware store and bought a pressure washer. Remember when I joked about that last year? Well, we have one now and, after church on Sunday, we washed our front walk and porch. I have to say, it was pretty fun.

Now I have another busy week. I will pray that I bring glory to God, in word, thought and deed. I will thank God that his mercies are new to me each morning and that his grace is sufficient for all situations I may encounter.

*John Newton (1779)

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May 28, 2021

“I have perceiv’d that to be with those I like is enough”*

by chuckofish

It was a busy week at work, and I was still getting over that cold. I went to the dentist, which is always a joy and a half. And I went in to my office on Thursday for various reasons and met with my assistant whom I had not seen in almost a year. We commiserated about our COVID weight gain. It is a mad world.

But, what ho, it is a three-day weekend and that in itself is something to celebrate. And we have Memorial Day to consider. I plan to watch They Were Expendable (1945) which has become one of my favorite war movies.

There is nothing remotely sentimental about this movie and its depiction of war. John Ford is admirably restrained. The American war machine is in retreat, as one by one the islands of the Philippines are seized by the Japanese. No help is coming, no one will save them, they are on their own. But we know who will win.

I watched Wee Willie Winkie (1937) the other night. Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglan, Caesar Romero as Khoda Khan–and also directed by John Ford–pretty great.

Grown men cry and whales blubber.

This was an interesting article. A celebration and lament over science. I concur.

Daughter #1 is coming home today and we will find some roof deck or winery on/at which to hang out. (The other grandparents are back in town so the twins and their parents will be otherwise occupied at their weekend abode.) The weather should be conducive to hanging out. Maybe I can get some sun on a part of my body other than the tops of my feet.

Enjoy the long weekend! 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.

*I Sing the Body Electric, Walt Whitman, whose birthday is May 31

5 Comments
May 24, 2021

”Oh the white tops are a rollin’ rollin’, and the big wheels keep on turnin’”*

by chuckofish

I hope you had a lovely weekend. I puttered around, planted some more annuals in pots on the patio, trimmed ivy, tidied up the house so that the wee twins could wreck havoc in it again…the usual.

The highlight was going to my new church with the boy and getting to spend a few hours together–an unusual thing since he is almost always working or in the midst of twin-created havoc. We had coffee afterwards at Bread Co. and had a real conversation. Super. Nice.

I watched some PGA tour action on TV and a couple of good movies, including Stagecoach (1939) and Wagon Master (1950), both directed by John Ford.

Stagecoach is, without a doubt, 96 of the best minutes ever put on film. Orson Welles called it textbook filmmaking and he was right. It is tops in storytelling, character development, acting, action, romance, cinematography, score–it has it all.

Wagon Master is also about a (bigger) bunch of misfits (Mormons, outlaws and stranded medicine show con artists) going on a journey and meeting up with impediments along the way. Even without John Wayne or, really, any star, it is a lyrical yarn with meaty characters, beautifully photographed.

I recommend them both, and seeing them together, is an interesting and worthwhile undertaking.

I also re-read a good bit of Harry Carey Jr.’s memoir about his life as an actor in the John Ford “stock company” which was somewhat enlightening about the behind-the-scenes goings-on of making Wagon Master and other Ford movies. John Ford was an enigma, wrapped in a mystery, as they say. But he sure made good movies.

The wee twins came over Sunday night and annoyed the OM and even prompted me to give them another mini lecture on the doctrine of total depravity. They look innocent enough, but…

We had fun, of course, and the boy got a second helping of tortellini.

And so, sleepy, cowpokes, goodnight.

*Travis and Sandy, singing in Wagon Master.

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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

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May 10, 2021

“I don’t have a tummy ache, I just have a tummy button.”*

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was pleasantly eventful. I took Friday afternoon off and had lunch with my pals, sitting outside–such a treat. Then daughter #1 came home and we sat outside at Club Taco, nursing a margarita and listening to the musical stylings of “Dusty Rhodes.” (Like him, but not him.) Then we made our way home and the OM provided dinner while we listened to more music.

On Saturday we went to lunch for the first time in ages (sitting inside) at the Sappington House. We moved on to the South County Antique Mall–50,000 square feet of “unique items”–where we walked up and down many miles of booths perusing the vintage junk. We headed home empty-handed to get ready for the wee babes and their parents who came over for a barbecue. Unfortunately, the day was rainy and cold, so we had to be indoors the whole time. Several mishaps ensued, but we had fun and nothing (and nobody) got broken.

I received many lovely and thoughtful gifts from my children, including these beautiful flowers from daughter #2:

But of course what warmed the cockles of this grandma’s heart was reading the “All About My Grandma” questionnaires that the twins had filled out. I was glad to know that Lottie thinks I am 200 years old and that she loves her grandma because “She is beautiful.” The wee laddie, on the other hand, loves me because I “do nothing.” Precious moments.

There was cake too!

In other news, there was a Black Bear sighting in Kirkwood on the grounds of Ursuline Academy which is a stone’s throw from our house! It moved on to Webster Hills Methodist Church where we buy pumpkins. I mean really. I do not need bears in my backyard. First armadillos, now bears. What is happening? (Update: the bear moved on to Brentwood and was tranquilized in a tree.)

The only bear I’m comfortable with…

Happy Monday! Keep an eye out for bears!

*WRC jr (having eaten a lot of cake)

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May 3, 2021

“The Lord is my portion”*

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was not so quiet as I first anticipated. Saturday was a lovely, sunny day. I bought some geraniums and planted them in the pots on my front porch. I weeded. Then the OM and I drove to Washington on the Missouri River and sat on a roof deck and enjoyed the scenery. Nothing fancy, but nothing better.

That night I watched The Wizard of Oz (1939) and was reminded once again what a perfect movie it is. I wouldn’t change a thing. Of course, it only won Oscars for best song and score. But the sets, the costumes, the art direction! The technicolor! The acting and direction! Zut alors! I highly recommend re-watching this movie the next time you are looking for something to watch.

Female archetypes

On Sunday I went to church–ah, how nice that sounds–and then went home and continued reading The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge.

This old-fashioned novel about a city-bred woman who moves to the English countryside when she inherits a house from a mysterious elderly relative is a type that is never written/published these days. It is a pleasure to read its carefully-written prose and its slowly unfolding story. Not much happens, but the characters grow in self knowledge and spiritual maturity. They are interesting people, not cardboard cutouts.

Next up is S.C. Gwynne’s Rebel Yell about Stonewall Jackson. I am no fan of the Confederacy or its generals, but I have always loved Stonewall Jackson, who was a devout Calvinist. I love the story of his Scotch-Irish ancestors who came to this country as indentured servants in the 18th century and fought hard and bravely to forge a home in the wilderness and improve their lot in life.

The wee twins came over Sunday night per usual with their parents for some frolicking goofball fun.

They are getting to be so grown up!

In other news, my Christmas cactus is blooming!

One more thing: here’s an interesting article. “As for security, it is the utter madness and control freakery of our age that thinks we can stay secure and somehow transfer that to our children. The gospel takes us out of ourselves and our efforts and places us in Christ where there is total security.”

So another week begins. Make it a good one!

*Lamentations 3:24

4 Comments
April 26, 2021

Postcards from the weekend

by chuckofish

Daughter #2 and Baby Katie made it to flyover country on Saturday which was rainy and dark, but this little cupcake brightened things up right away…

We went to our favorite winery in Hillsboro and the wee twins came over for a frolic. Baby Katie was chill throughout–quelle trouper! I managed to go to church for the 4th week in a row! And we celebrated two birthdays.

Today I am supposed to be working, but we are sneaking off to the zoo between Zoom meetings. Sounds like a plan.

3 Comments
April 23, 2021

Tally ho!

by chuckofish

It’s Friday and I am very excited because daughter #2 and baby Katie are arriving tomorrow for a quick visit. How great is that? Thankfully we have gotten through all the snow and cold temps and we should be able to enjoy some nice sit-outside weather.

In other news, my DP gave me this book for my birthday and I have been flying through it.

Scary stuff, harrowing stuff, but we knew that about the Comanches already. (I had a hunch that Larry McMurtry wasn’t exaggerating. He must have read Rachel Plummer’s journal.) Read it, if you can take it. There is no sugar-coating and excuse-making for the Comanches’ behavior. There is plenty of context. I am enjoying it a lot.

I watched two Humphrey Bogart movies this week: The African Queen (1951) and The Oklahoma Kid (1939). I enjoyed them both a lot. The African Queen is a classic, of course, and I have seen it many times. I had not seen the latter in 50 or so years–not since the Humphrey Bogart Theater on channel 11 days of my childhood. It also stars James Cagney as the eponymous hero. He is a little weird (and short) in a western, but I have grown to appreciate him in my dotage. He had a style all his own, even in high-heeled cowboy boots.

This was a thought-provoking piece. “How does a person become a saint? By grace alone. To argue otherwise questions what the Bible has to say about people and about saints. A true saint is not someone we strive to imitate, but someone who shows us a clearer picture of what it means to be a sinner saved by God.”

This reminded me that The Selfish Giant was one of the boy’s favorite stories and deeply affected him as a child. “And the child smiled on the Giant, and said to him, ‘You let me play once in your garden, today you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise.”

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BCP

Enjoy your weekend! Make good choices!

5 Comments
April 19, 2021

Postcards from the weekend

by chuckofish

I turned in a huge project on Friday–a grant proposal years in the making–and so when daughter #1 arrived in town, we celebrated at our favorite local re-opened wine/Tapas bar with a glass of wine and some hummus. Delightful. That set us up nicely for the rest of the weekend which involved a 4.5 hour babysitting assignment with the wee twins on Saturday, followed by a reprise on Sunday afternoon.

It was a lot, but a mostly delightful experience. I also managed to go to church for the third week in a row! In addition, we ordered a car seat and stocked up on Pampers and organic veggie pouches in anticipation of daughter #2 and Katie’s visit this coming weekend. We watched Hatari (1962) in two parts. This movie is a lot of fun and was a huge hit in 1962. All the actors did their own stunts with the wild animals–amazing!

It is a celebration God’s creation, plus there is a lot of chain-smoking, hipster merry-making.

It is fun to have four-year olds with whom to share the bounty of spring: the beautiful blooming trees, the lush green grass, the bugs that are appearing, the hosta poking through the dirt, along with the iris, the roses, the Euonymus and Ajuga, the peonies, the ants.

We even found two plastic Easter eggs that had not been found two weeks ago during our egg hunt! The chocolate bunnies inside were gobbled up immediately!

But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.

–Job 12: 7-10
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