Weekend | dual personalities

October 19, 2020

“The created World is but a small Parenthesis in Eternity”*

by chuckofish

Today is the feast day of Frithuswith, the patron saint of Oxford and of Oxford University. She is credited with establishing a religious site later incorporated into Christ Church in Oxford. Frithuswith (650-727) was the first abbess of this Oxford double monastery. I had never heard of her either. You can read more about her here. Great name, though, right?

It is also the birthday of Sir Thomas Browne (1605 – 1682) about whom I know next to nothing.

I really like this statue of Sir Thomas Browne in Norwich.

However, Herman Melville was a great fan and called him a “crack’d Archangel.” Virginia Woolf said, “Few people love the writings of Sir Thomas Browne, but those that do are the salt of the earth.” And Jorge Luis Borges said, “Sir Thomas Browne — I love him. I translated him into 17th century Spanish and it worked very well.” So I guess I better start reading some Thomas Browne.

I didn’t do much this weekend. I continued to read Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James, which I tried to read years ago. I am enjoying it this time around. I finally gave up on Jack by Marilynne Robinson. Apropos of that disappointment, I had an email exchange with one of my institute’s facilitators, a retired professor, who is also a big Robinson fan and has taught her other books. It went like this:

ME: Are you reading Jack by M. Robinson? I have to say I am disappointed. I guess my expectations were too high.
Prof: I am VERY disappointed with “Jack”. I’m not sure I can bring myself to teach it. I’m considering alternatives.
ME: I’m not sure I can bring myself to FINISH it!
Prof: AGREED! ALAS!

Academic ALL CAPS!

The OM and I celebrated our aforementioned anniversary with a drive to Defiance, MO and a visit to the Sugar Creek Winery. It was very pleasant and the wine wasn’t bad.

Unfortunately, it was rather nippy temperature-wise and I had not worn appropriate gear, so we didn’t spend a leisurely afternoon like last Sunday. We are still learning the ropes of how these winery visits work.

You will recall that Defiance is where frontiersman Daniel Boone ended his long career, arriving around 1800 at the age of 65 with his wife and several of his children. Nathan Boone, his youngest son, built the home which one can visit today. Daniel Boone passed away in this home on Sept. 26, 1820 (200 years ago!) For Missouri, that is a very old house.

I have visited the home, once as a child and once with my own children, but not in at least 25 years and certainly not since 2016, when the Historic Daniel Boone Home and surrounding property in Defiance was given to the people of St. Charles County by Lindenwood University. The nearly 300 acre site includes The Historic Daniel Boone Home, adjoining Village historic site, and surrounding property. We will have to check it out soon.

I also watched Signs (2002)–a favorite of mine. It is a good movie to watch in the Halloween season because it is scary, but it is also a great movie about lost faith and miracles. Swing away, Merrill.

*Sir Thomas Browne

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October 16, 2020

“The only thing I knew how to do/ Was to keep on keepin’ on”*

by chuckofish

‘Tis the season when new holiday outfits multiply…

Lottiebelle sets the standard for 3-year old fashion statements, complete with matching scarf. Ghoulishly chic, n’est-ce pas?

The rest of us just stay home and dress from the waist up for Zoom calls. Not that I’m complaining! And it is, after all, almost the weekend! Huzzah!

This article on “Things I Did My Kids Never Will”–i.e. “Be kind, please rewind.” Mixtapes. Dial-up internet–forces us once again to realize we’re getting old. However, it is written by someone who is closer to my children’s ages than to mine! My list would include much older things, such as having to wait and wait to see your favorite movies on tv because there was no such thing as a VCR! Remember those days?

Speaking of feeling old, the OM and I will be marking our 40th anniversary this weekend! Yikes. (I will just point you to last year’s post as not much has changed.) We’ll toast ourselves without much fanfare.

Earlier this week I opened a blogpost by a well-known blogger which began, “The other day, I was talking to my therapist about…” OMG, the privilege of this statement alone sent me into conniptions…but the gist of the post was about how to stay cheerful this winter. The suggestions ranged from gazing into a light therapy lamp to lighting “candles everywhere” to hosting a virtual soup group. Not to judge, but please. How about getting a spiritual life? Try being grateful for your privileged life and stop feeling sorry for yourself because winter is coming. Try saving the money you would spend on candles and give it to a real soup kitchen! There are plenty of real people in need in New York City these days.

Sorry–I am trying to quash my desire to rant…It will take a concerted effort this weekend and listening to Bob* on repeat.

Today the Episcopal Church remembers Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Bishops and Martyrs, 1555. “Play the man, Master Ridley. Today we shall light such a fire in England as shall never be extinguished.” With these words Latimer and Ridley went to the stake and were burned to death on this day in 1555 at Oxford. Both were English bishops with strong protestant sympathies. Each was an exceptionally fine preacher in an age of great preachers. Both were Cambridge men. Both were social reformers. Their “protestantizing” sermons brought down upon their heads the wrath of Bloody Mary’s most unreconciliatory regime.

You will recall that the old lady in Fahrenheit 451 quotes Hugh Latimer when the firemen come to burn her books–“Play the man, Master Ridley.” She goes up in flames with them, a martyr as well.

We need to remember such historical events, lest we let them happen again. (Does anyone these days seeing this film, get the reference?)

Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servants William Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

4 Comments

September 21, 2020

We thine unworthy servants

by chuckofish

This is a picture of pure joy (accompanied by a lot of screaming.)

I’ve been trying to think (once again) of all the things for which I give my “most humble and hearty thanks” and they are, indeed, many.

Besides the obvious and deeply felt ones like my family, no one being on chemotherapy, having a roof over my head and food on the table (our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life)…

I would add, my silver hair.

Lottie says, “Why can’t we go inside? I’m hoooooooot.”

I am so grateful my hair grew back (and some semblance of my eyebrows) and I am happy to be silver-haired and looking my age.

I am thankful for God’s green earth and all the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit it.

According to this Woolly Worm on the driveway and the Farmer’s Almanac, it should be a mild winter here in my neck of the flyover woods.

I am happy the weather is cooling off and fall will be here soon. Fall is a favorite season. I always loved going back to school. Going back to school when classes are online, is not the same, but, nevertheless, we thank God for the opportunity to do so. Anyway, I have opened up some windows and sleeping has been very nice.

I am also grateful for being able to hop in my Cooper and take a drive when I am going beserk from being home all. the. time.

The OM has filled my gas tank twice in the last six months. No, I have not driven much–but on Sunday I drove to Lowe’s and bought some new indoor plants. We do what we have to do.

So we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days.

And this was a surprise, but not a surprise.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

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September 18, 2020

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock*

by chuckofish

Me, oh my, it’s Friday at last. I’ve had a busy week and my mind is mush. I anticipate a quiet weekend.

I need to recharge this weekend, but I am at a loss as to quite how to do that. Sleep. John Wayne movies. Facials. Puttering. Baby exercises.

Estate sales…

Well…as old Samuel Johnson (born September 18, 1709) said,

“Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought.
Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.”

Have a good weekend!

*James Whitcomb Riley

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September 14, 2020

“Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest”*

by chuckofish

Plexiglass dividers between the seats are so flattering.

I think daughter #1 had a pretty great birthday what with an after-school trip to the zoo with the wee babes and a party at home afterwards (just the fam).

But sometimes there are bad smells at the zoo. C’est la vie.

On Saturday after FaceTiming with wee Katie, daughter #1 and I really got down to business in the basement.

We went through bins and consolidated a lot of stuff, throwing away a lot on the way.

It was glorious. We still have more to go through, but I am very pleased. There is nothing like getting organized to soothe the soul.

After a trip to the recycling center with a load of cardboard, we stopped at Club Taco for to-go margaritas and guacamole. Then we settled in for a long music session, listening to a cache of CDs from the 1990s we found in the basement.

Good times.

More cowbell!

One of the scripture lessons on Sunday was from Romans:

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of
quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the
weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who
abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who
eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on
servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall.
And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all
days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those
who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who
eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while
those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to
God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we
live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then,
whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end
Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead
and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why
do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
So then, each of us will be accountable to God. (14:1-12)

Let’s try to get through the week without passing judgment on our brothers and sisters, shall we? I know it’s hard, but c’mon.

*Henry Van Dyke, “Hymn to Joy” (Van Dyke wrote this poem in 1907 while staying at the home of Williams College president Harry Augustus Garfield. He was serving as a guest preacher at Williams at the time. He told his host that the local Berkshire Mountains had been his inspiration.)

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September 11, 2020

Let’s take another crazy trip around the sun*

by chuckofish

Today is daughter #1’s birthday! Like everything else this year, our celebration will be low-key but determined. Plans are to clock out of work a little early, drive to STL, hook up with the wee babes and their parents and head to the Zoo. (Cross your fingers that it doesn’t rain on our parade.) Afterwards we’ll head home for toasted ravioli and cake and presents.

Sounds like a good way to start the weekend to me! Welcome to my house…

Did you say, home run, slam dunk, touchdown pass?

Happy Birthday, dear daughter #1!

*Kenny Chesney

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September 7, 2020

“Learn to dance, get dressed, get blessed/ Try to be a success”*

by chuckofish

Happy Labor Day! I will be taking it easy today since the rest of my weekend was so busy. Daughter #1 and I did a lot of work in our basement, throwing away piles of stuff. Since we have new lights down there and can see what we’re doing, it’s been a lot easier to say the least.

We also had the wee babes over for a frolic and our first barbecue in a long, long time.

We FaceTimed with Miss Katiebelle and she modeled some new outfits.

And we supported our neighborhood Club Taco with take-out margaritas on our patio (when the wee babes were not over.)

A lot of fun, but I am recovering today! Here’s to a short work week and sunny days ahead.

*Bob Dylan, “Subterranean Homesick Blues”

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August 31, 2020

“You’ve got to take the bitter with the sweet”*

by chuckofish

On Saturday the OM and I decided to take a drive down to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on the Mississippi River at Lemay, MO. Both our fathers are buried there, so we found their graves.

I was glad to be reminded that my father’s grave was located on Grant Drive with a nice view. (You will recall that U.S. Grant was assigned to Jefferson Barracks after graduating from West Point in 1843.) ANC III was a proud veteran of two wars and I think he would be pleased with his resting place.

We didn’t tarry.

The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat
The soldier’s last tattoo;
No more on life’s parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame’s eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
From “Bivouac of the Dead” by Theodore O’Hara (1820 – 1867)

In other news I was sad to note the passing of Julia Evans Reed who fought the good fight but lost it finally on Friday. She was a journalist and wrote for Garden & Gun in recent years. She appreciated old things and history, her southern heritage, old friends and good parties. And she was a good writer. Also lost to cancer was Chadwick Bozeman, who soldiered on through surgeries and chemotherapy to make several movies, most notably Black Panther (2018), exhibiting extraordinary courage.

Into paradise may the angels lead thee and at thy coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem. (BCP, Burial of the Dead, Rite I)

On a happier note, daughter #2 dressed wee Katiebelle in a smocked dress my mother made for daughter #1 and had a photo shoot. Note the wee babe is wearing the cherry bloomers and matching booties her aunt made to complete the ensemble.

Here is daughter #1 wearing the dress on Christmas in 1984 with her grandma who made it.

Sunrise, sunset.

One of the lessons in Sunday’s liturgy was this wonderful passage from Romans:

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Words to live by. I especially like the part about leaving room for the wrath of God. Trust that he is in control. Everything will work out.

*Carole King

4 Comments

August 24, 2020

The river is wide

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? On Saturday the OM and I took a drive out to Washington, MO. We ate lunch outside at a sidewalk cafe (we have those in flyover country) and sat by the river and watched it roll by. Very pleasant and I highly recommend it as a way to get out of the house and unwind a bit. (Any river will do.)

Washington has a big park with a lot of benches, so you can just hang out. It’s free! As daughter #1 has mentioned, a little time spent by the Big Muddy puts things in perspective. It also brought this song to mind. Our parents had this album (and I’m sure it’s still in my basement.)

On Sunday the wee babes came over for a wee frolic and havoc parade.

After they went home, I tidied up, talked to my DP, caught up with daughters #1 and #2 and Miss Katiebelle…

…and caught some Olivia de Haviland on TCM. I ended up watching the best movie ever–The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

In other words, I followed my own advice for a good weekend: keep it simple, add a little spontaneity, get your vitamin D, stay close to family…Life is (still) good.

Enjoy the salt mine this week.

7 Comments

August 10, 2020

“Remark to this, Whittaker Walt.”*

by chuckofish

I took Friday afternoon off and had a picnic with my two pals in Laumeier Park and started off the weekend on a fine note. Daughter #1 arrived in town in time for a beer on the patio.

Then we listened to the 2-record Henry Mancini set she found at an estate sale. Life in the fast lane, man.

We enjoyed a pretty mellow weekend, the highlight of which was a visit from the wee babes who shrieked with delight at the prospect of a play date with their aunt.

On Saturday we had unearthed more treasures from our basement cache of vintage toys, which included a lot more Beanie Babies…

…and myriad other 1990s treats…

The wee laddie preferred to play with his old favorites, “my Cooper” in particular…

although he did climb into the doll crib for a pretend nap.

There is never a dull moment when these monkeys are around.

We FaceTimed with the newest wee babe and her Mommy.

We mused that she really does bear a striking resemblance to her great great grandfather ANC Jr…

Aren’t genes fascinating?

After daughter #1 returned to mid-MO on Sunday, I repotted some plants and caught up with daughter #2. I read some more Lovejoy (I’m on my third mystery.) I tidied up and got my mind set for the work week.

Here are some good words from the Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier to start your week:

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity
Interpreted by love!

With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works that drown
The tender whisper of Thy call,
As noiseless let Thy blessing fall
As fell Thy manna down.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.

*Alan Arkin in The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (1966)–an hilarious movie which I highly recommend watching.

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