The Super Bowl is on Sunday and the Chiefs are playing, so I am kind of interested. I do not hate them as some Missourians do. I have no idea who Jon Batiste is–he will sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl–but I am looking forward to hearing Lauren Daigle sing “America the Beautiful”. And, by the way, there is only one national anthem and it is for everybody.
I will probably watch the kick off and then turn the channel. Then I will decide to watch an old movie instead. Can you think of a good football movie? I like The Best of Times (1985) but I have seen it recently. Maybe Friday Night Lights (2004) or The Blind Side (2009)?
And I do like this cold brew ad with Chan…
Well, this afternoon Mr. Smith is getting a shampoo, so that means happy hour afterwards.
It has warmed up quite a bit (thank goodness) and I got out and about this weekend. I did the flowers at church first thing on Saturday morning and then ventured down to the city to go to an estate sale. Daughter #1 and I were so adventurous! It was a nice house in Compton Heights down by St. Louis University, the same vintage (c. 1903) as the house I grew up in with three stories and lots of dark wood. We got a couple of books and a tassel curtain tieback for the window in my office. We said hey to our friend Lamar (who gave us our Lamar discount). We stopped at Straub’s on the way home and treated ourselves to lunch which we ate back at her house.
On Sunday, church was wonderful, as usual, but the communion hymn just broke me down to tears. They streamed down my face and I was such a mess at the end of the service. My son laughed at me a little, but with love.
William Cowper wrote this hymn in 1771 and it still packs a punch. The old Anglican hymns are pretty much all we have left of the Episcopal denomination, which is really sad. And I doubt if they sing this hymn anymore.
In our adult ed class we continued to learn about Francis and Edith Schaeffer and the founding of L’Abri, the French word for “shelter,” because they sought to provide a shelter from the pressures of a relentlessly secular 20th century. As time went by, so many people came that others were called to join the Schaeffers in their work, and more branches were established. Even Bob Dylan spent time there.
I had plans for after church, but everything fell apart, as sometimes happens. But it was a nice afternoon so I went over later to daughter #1’s house and enjoyed having Mr. Smith balance on my lap for some Mamu scritch-scratches until too many people had the nerve to walk by the house and he lost his doggie mind doing his Westie duty (i.e. barking).
This strikes me as very true. “Our phone has given us a constant stream of information. One thing it hasn’t given us is boredom. What if that was a costly bargain? A priceless forfeiture? What if it turns out that downtime from the fire hose of infinite data is necessary for good thinking, and for good life?”
By the way, don’t miss 31 Days of Oscar on TCM this month. The next ’31 days’ are dedicated to celebrating Academy Award-winning and nominated films leading up to the 97th annual Academy Awards, which air on March 2. I couldn’t care less about the Oscars in 2025–I haven’t seen a new movie at the movies since 2006–but there is a treasure trove to DVR this month on TCM. For instance, TheSting (1973) and Double Indemnity (1944) are on tonight!
So sing an old hymn, watch an old movie, pet a nice dog. Enjoy your Monday!
“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1)
Is it still January? This month seems endless, doesn’t it? I stayed home most of last week and there was no happy hour on Friday because daughter #1 was sick (and no shampoo for Mr. Smith!) The OM and I did have a social event on Saturday night which entailed getting dressed up and driving at night, but we went and I had a very good time. We had cocktails and dinner and listened to a talk by the daughter of Vincent Price about her father who grew up in St. Louis. He was quite a character. I talked to more people and socialized more than I had all week (maybe all month).
Sunday I went to church with the boy and the twins and then we had brunch at the Sunny Side Diner, which is a favorite of ours. They had dinosaur-shaped pancakes and bacon and were ready to go to lacrosse in the afternoon, sated and full of the Holy Spirit.
I liked this article about the ministry of small things: “The ‘ministry of small things’ is consistent with how the Bible teaches us to think about God’s kingdom. In His parable of the yeast, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven starts with something as modest as a dash of leaven. Yeast is practically invisible, and you don’t see it working, yet as it slowly permeates the dough, it has a formidable impact (Matt. 13:22). Our little works, patiently and consistently done, can bring about something big.”
I sure. like to think so.
And here’s a new song I like:
Tomorrow there will be a guest post from daughter #2, so don’t miss it!
Because ice was predicted on Friday night, daughter #1 decided to hold our Saturday morning DAR meeting on Zoom instead of at the country club where we usually meet. I had not experienced a Zoom meeting since retiring in 2021, but it worked just fine, I did not suffer PTSD and daughter #1 looked very glamorous indeed.
Sunday morning we went to church in the freezing cold. I was able to wear my vintage fur coat again. The twins were there with their dad and everyone kept their depravity in check. They drew in their journals with half an ear cocked to the service and the sermon on Hebrews 9:1-14. I am very proud of them. In Sunday School they are finishing up the book of Acts. We came back to our house after church for Episcopal/Calvinist Souffle and conversation. Plus, the boy and daughter #1 got my car set up with Apple Play. I tried to read the car manual but it is all Greek to me. Cars are so complicated now and I am such an old lady! Oh well, c’est la vie. I do the best I can.
Sunday night the OM and I returned to church for our annual meeting. We elected new elders and deacons and went through the annual report. I am so blessed to be a member of this church community. I thank God every day that he has led me to this place and that, although it has taken me a long time to get here, I will finish strong.
So–a typical January weekend. I watched The Court Jester (1955), a movie that I just love. Danny Kaye et al will lighten your mood, if you need it lightened. And if you are actually feeling pretty good, as am I, it will just add to your joy. I told the twins they should watch it and they did on Sunday night–according to their Dad, they were “transfixed”–of course they were! Even the credits are great:
Meanwhile daughter #1 and I are working on getting a new blog launched, so maybe this week we’ll have something to show you. Courage, dear hearts!
There was more snow on Friday than I anticipated, so no Friday happy hour, but we caught up on Saturday. Everybody was out and about. Daughter #1 and I went to our local antique mall after Mr. Smith had his shampoo, and it was hopping! Then we went to the Presbyterian re-sale shop where we stocked up on $1.50 dvd’s. I found Here Comes the Boom (2012) and embarrassed her by saying loudly, “Here comes the boom!” Sorry. Good to know I can still embarrass my non-teenage daughter in a public setting.
It was great to be back in church on Sunday after a few weeks away. We had a good sermon and an excellent adult ed class on the life and times of Francis and Edith Schaeffer. Francis Schaeffer was a leading 20th century Christian scholar and the author of How Should We Then Live?, but one with whom I was not acquainted before I became a Presbyterian. He was once actually the pastor of my church back in the 1940s. I have a lot to learn.
After church the fam came over to our house and we celebrated daughter #3’s belated birthday. We had tacos and the OM did all the cooking. Plus there was birthday cake and daughter #1 brough macaroons. I had not seen the twins since Christmas Eve and they seemed older and more mature. Funny how that works.
Now we are starting a new week and hopefully we will all get back on track after a week of working at home and snow days.
Suppose we did our work like the snow, quietly, quietly. leaving nothing out.
We’re nearing the home stretch…but it rained all day Saturday which dampened everyone’s holiday spirits. We were grateful, however, that it was rain and not ice or snow. And we got the tree up!
It was a group effort. The boy came over Thursday evening to carry the tree in from the garage and put it in the stand. The OM and I strung the lights on Saturday morning. And daughter #1 came over after her DAR luncheon to help decorate it. Ain’t it lovely?
I missed the DAR luncheon because I had to go to our Historical Society Christmas party and membership meeting. It was actually quite fun. The house looked beautiful and festive. Of course, I didn’t take any pictures. C’est la vie.
The boy and his famille were in Kansas City this weekend, so the OM and I sat alone in church. They missed a good sermon on the Mosaic Covenant, some great hymns and solos, and a fantastic adult ed class, continuing on the angels and demons theme. The teacher even referenced Hermann Bavinck (see Friday’s post). I am learning a lot. My Bible Study leader made a really good and astute comment during the class and I told her so afterwards, and she said, “It was the Holy Spirit, not me”. Once again, I am humbled and grateful to be among these people.
We watched three Christmas movies: Home Alone (1992), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)…
and White Christmas (1954), the latter on the big screen! We enjoyed them all.
What an absolute treat to see White Christmas on the big screen! In recliners! Can’t believe it wasn’t sold out! For the 50th time, it was great. And I had to laugh thinking of little Ida watching it for the first time at home on her TV and running to get her tambourine during the “Mandy” number! Perfect!
Have a good Monday, watch an old movie, feel the joy, read some poetry:
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly-minded, For with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, Our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, As of old on earth He stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, In the body and the blood; He will give to all the faithful His own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven Spreads its vanguard on the way, As the Light of light descendeth From the realms of endless day, That the pow’rs of hell may vanish As the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six-winged seraph, Cherubim with sleepless eye, Veil their faces to the presence, As with ceaseless voice they cry: “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Liturgy of St. James, 5th century (adapted by Gerard Moultrie, 1864)
How was your long weekend? Daughter #2 and famille drove home on Friday afternoon after a fun-filled two days here with us. It is so nice knowing they will back in a few weeks!
Then it snowed all day Saturday–enough to change everyone’s plans and stay home. We had started unpacking Christmas things at daughter #1’s house on Friday morning with the prairie girls…
…and then she finished up the next day with the always helpful Mr. Smith…
I started the process at my house alone on Saturday. It is a lot of work! First to put away and clean up all the Thanksgiving stuff; then to haul all the Christmas things up from the basement. But I managed to get the little tree put up in the dining room…
…and did the mantle…
The feral cat in the Florida room watched me the whole time.
Daughter #2 got a start at her house with her helpers…
At church we observed the first Sunday in Advent with Advent hymns and the first in a new sermon series on God’s covenants in the Old Testament. The new adult ed class series is on angels. Thankfully I am not helping with the children’s Sunday School, so I can attend. The twins and their dad were not there because they were at the bud’s birthday party at the Lego Mini Fig store.
Lottie’s (separate) party is next Saturday. There is too much going on for me to keep it all straight. The boy stopped by later with the bud to tend to the cat and to take the extra leaf out of the dining room table. I heard all about the party–good times!
We, of course, watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) on Thanksgiving night, but the next day after everyone had left, we watched Grumpy Old Men (1993) on Friday night. It was pretty funny–even the grumpy OM I live with thought so.
It takes place around Thanksgiving, so it was seasonally appropriate. I recommend it.
This is a really good post about remembering that God is good regardless. “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7)
So start decorating for Christmas–it’s not too early! Feel the joy. Watch an old movie. Wave to someone. Happy December!
Boy, I went to the grocery store Sunday afternoon and it was a madhouse. Par for the course I guess. It was also the first time driving my new SUV there and loading up the grocery bags, etc. I had to open the back and I opened the hood instead. I hope no one was watching. Well, tant pis, if they were.
Lottie wore dangly earrings (clip-ons) to church and looked like a gyp-gyp-gypsy, but she only received positive feedback from those around us. (I may have raised my eyebrows.) As you can see the twins were not much taken with the sermon on Melchizedek. But there was a baptism, so that made up for it.
They came over with the boy after church to feed the feral cat and hang out for a bit. I had no food for them because I hadn’t been to the store yet, so they didn’t stay long. But it’s always a treat to see them, earrings and all.
Thanksgiving is upon us and I have hardly taken a breath to stop and ponder the topic of thankfulness, but, wow, I certainly am! I am thankful that DN is cooking the turkey (and assorted other things) and that he sent a Word document outlining the cooking/prep schedule. He is so organized! I’m making the cheesy potatoes, daughter #1 will do the crescent rolls, and daughter #3 is making the pies. Daughter #2 can take the Ocean Spray cranberry sauce out of the can.
Daughter #2 reported that Katie was disappointed that “the snack at the school Thanksgiving party ‘was not really party food.’ In an ironic twist, because it was a party, parents brought in the food and it was cheese and crackers (as opposed to the “treat” snacks like Cheese-Its or teddy grahams that they have every day). Katie did not approve. But she told me…that ‘I bet we’ll have treats at Thanksgiving. At Mamu’s house. Maybe donuts. Or ice cream.'” You can count on that, sweetheart!
On Sunday afternoon I went over to daughter #1’s house to walk Mr. Smith and indulge his desire for unending tummy scratches.
What can I say? I am a sucker for his big black eyes.
This is a very thoughtful piece on contentment and “Wanting what you already have.” “My children once asked me what I wanted most when I was growing up. As I sat at the dinner table looking at my wife and children looking back at me I remembered my childhood dreams for my life and the answer was suddenly obvious: ‘This. Exactly this.'” Indeed, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
And the meme world is on fire…
So be thankful for all the blessings of your life and try to relax. The world is more than we know.
Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself. Amen (Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)
*Edie McClurg in Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
P.S. The video is the edited for TV version, so the kids can see it–no f-bombs!
My Bible Study group had our last meeting and luncheon yesterday. We talked about our Thanksgiving traditions and I think I shocked everyone by saying my family had been watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) for the last 30 years on Thanksgiving night. Oh well, c’est la vie. I stand by my choices.
Last night I watched Godzilla Minus One (2023) which is out on DVD and mine arrived right on time from Amazon. Seriously, that movie is the best movie I have seen in the last ten years. My hats off to Takashi Yamazaki who wrote, directed and supervised the visual effects. It won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects but why didn’t it win the Best Foreign Film? C’mon. Here’s the thing: it’s not about the monster, it’s about the people.
Meanwhile, the guys came and dug up the stump from our giant mulberry tree which was cut down a couple of weeks ago.
It was quite a job. It was a noisy afternoon.
Never a dull moment.
So it’s the weekend–have a good one! Make good choices.
As you know I am a creature of routine and this weekend I was a little off-kilter–mostly I blame Mr. Smith because he got his shampoo on Saturday rather than Friday. I managed to do all the same things, but slightly out of order. I guess it’s good to shake things up even a tad.
On Sunday I had my last Sunday School class and, of course, there were nine children–nearly double our usual number. Lottie was in fine spirits–volunteering for everything–and she read Acts 12: 12-15. She has no fear. I was impressed with her reading ability! We learned an important lesson on the power and necessity of prayer. I asked her if she thought anyone prayed for her. Well, I said, I pray for her every day! That angels watch over her and protect her. Insert mind blown emoji. 🤯
We had a good sermon on Hebrews 6:13-20 and the unchangeable-ness of God and we sang good hymns. I felt, as usual, the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Meanwhile the prairie girls worked in their yard…
As the Madcaps say, “Here’s to amazing days ahead.”
dual personalities 