Another Halloween has come and gone without much ado. The boy dressed up as Blippi and went trick-or-treating with a little monster and Princess Celestia.
What you say? You are not acquainted with Blippi? Well get with the program–he is all the rage with the toddler set. You can check him out here.
In other news, daughter #1 and I went to the drive-through Sticker Treat…
…where we got 99.1 Joy car stickers and candy! How fun is that? We are huge nerds and we just don’t care any more.
We also went to a fabric store, bought Diet Cokes in a strange neighborhood McDonalds, bombed out at two estate sales, and had a margarita-fueled sing-a-long with Alan Jackson. I re-read a Longmire mystery. We watched The Blob (1958) and several Treehouse of Horror episodes of The Simpsons. We FaceTimed with precious Katiebelle and her mommy who had an equally exciting weekend.
Now it is back to another Zoom-filled, election-punctuated week. Yikes.
Slander no one … be peaceable and considerate, and always gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us… (Titus 3:2-5)
Another busy weekend went by too fast. We accompanied this little monster and this little unicorn (“Princess Celesia”)…
to the haunted drive through at Grant’s Farm.
Good times (and appropriate social-distancing!)
Our family “pod” had fun with the Beanie Babies and ate pizza.
Climbing in that mosh pit never gets old.
We also picked out some pumpkins at the Methodist Church pumpkin patch on Friday. It was cold and rainy, so I did’t get any pictures, but I was glad to load up the Cooper with pumpkins recklessly chosen by the wee babes.
And there were donuts…
All in all, a fun weekend indeed. Now it is back to the salt mine and another gloomy week of overcast skies and rain. I think we’ll see the sun on Friday.
And as they say, “I’d tell you a pandemic joke. But there’s a 99.9996% chance you won’t get it.”
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.
‘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?)
The Oxford Martyrs monument
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.
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.
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)
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).
The zoo train is the best.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.)
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.
Can I come too? (We wish!)
Sounds like a good way to start the weekend to me! Welcome to my house…
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.
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.
dual personalities 