Weekend | dual personalities

November 6, 2023

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing

by chuckofish

Another exciting weekend–mostly for Mr. Smith who went to the bud’s last soccer game of the season. Dogs are not allowed on the playing fields, but daughter #1 smuggled him in in a canvas tote bag. (There were three other dogs there as well.)

He was a good boy. And he didn’t distract the bud (too much)–especially when he was playing GOALIE!

His focus was ~~not exactly~~ razor sharp, but he didn’t allow any goals–the other team hardly made it onto his side of the field. Yes, his team had an undefeated season! I will say the bud always seemed to have the biggest cheering section with at least seven family members in attendance (+ Lottie!). Two grandparents, two aunts, a great aunt, a great uncle, his Mom–I don’t think he even really noticed. But really, I ask, what would you rather be doing than sitting on folding chairs on a crisp fall day watching six-year olds run up and down the field?

After the game Lottie and I went over to daughter #1’s house while the bud went to his team party with his Dad. We unpacked all the dolls and filled up the doll case, which you will recall we had moved last weekend.

I’m sure there will be some rearranging going on, but we had super fun.

In other news I went to a DAR meeting and was brought up-to-date with all the patriotic doings of this group. It is that time of year when we promote Wreaths Across America, where wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves. I always sponsor two wreaths, one each for my father and father-in-law, who are both buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Would you like to help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths? You can do so here. More than two million volunteers and supporters will gather on December 16 to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. I think that’s pretty cool.

Everyone came over to our house for bagels after church on Sunday, even Mr. Smith, who ran laps around the house with the wee twins and their Dad.

Afterward the OM and I went to the kick-off of our friend Liz’s mayoral campaign down at the train station.

It was a busy weekend. I am thankful for family, friends and living in America!

And this babydoll tried on her hand-me-down Christmas dress…

Can you even?

Enjoy your Monday!

5 Comments

October 30, 2023

So great a cloud of witnesses*

by chuckofish

It was a dark, rainy fall weekend and the wee bud had a bye in his soccer team’s schedule, so you will not be getting my usual repetitive weekend wrap-up. Go ahead and sigh with relief, oh loyal readers.

We did, however, arrange to have my large glass doll case moved from my house to daughter #1’s house and that was my major accomplishment of the weekend. Our friends in the crew at Davis Place Estate Sales obliged us and did the heavy lifting and carrying up and down several flights of stairs. I meant to take pictures, but forgot. But here it is home now in daughter #1’s craft room.

Sunday was Reformation Sunday and we sang “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in church (with trumpet accompaniment) with appropriate gusto. Afterwards we enjoyed total depravity casserole (with tater tots!) at our house and our first fire of the season.

And Halloween Peeps from Aunt Mary!

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

(Martin Luther, 1529)

The peace of Christ be with you.

*Hebrews 12:1

4 Comments

October 23, 2023

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder*

by chuckofish

We enjoyed another really beautiful fall flyover weekend. We went to the pumpkin patch at the Methodist Church…

…and Mr. Smith proudly wore his pumpkin suit…

We went to 19North and officially switched back to our red blend for the fall. We asked if we could order french fries off-menu and were told, of course, that was no problem, because “we know someone.” I felt so seen.

On Sunday our church service was held outside on the lawn in front of the youth house.

It was our usual service with music, sermon and communion–I was a doubter, but I really enjoyed sitting in lawn chairs in the beautiful sunshine.

We sang my favorite new hymn, “Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”, and I cried from start to finish. I cannot help myself. Here’s your weekly reminder to repent.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
lost and ruined by the fall;
if you tarry till you’re better,
you will never come at all.

After church we had ~~Episcopal~~ Calvinist Souffle, which daughter #1 suggests we call Total Depravity Souffle, and later we went to the wee laddie’s soccer game.

The bud’s team is still undefeated and once again made the opposing team’s goalie cry (he made it to the third quarter at least). This is not due to anything the bud contributes, but at least he can act like Messi after each goal. This time I remembered to take a picture of our favorite coach/photographer.

In addition to all this, I also went to a funeral on Saturday–the 95-year old father of a high school friend. He was like a lot of the fathers I knew growing up. He was the captain of his high school baseball team and the president of his class. He went to Amherst and was the president of his fraternity. He was president of his company. He liked history and singing. He was an all-around good guy, a happy guy who knew that “Every day is the best day” and that God is the author of all things. He was a conservative man whose outspoken daughter must have taxed his soul, but he loved her and they got along despite their differences. He ended up happily living with her the last few years of his life. I mean, that is the ultimate reward–to have children who want you around.

Of course, the ultimate, ultimate reward is to be in heaven with Jesus, and my guess is he is there, having laid down his trophies at last.

His family went to church with me growing up, but I guess after his daughters graduated from high school and the Episcopal Church alienated a goodly portion of their members in the 1970s, he moved to the PCA and was a pillar of the church in which the funeral was held. He figured things out much sooner than I, but we ended up in the same place.

We sang “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “It Is Well With My Soul” and a bagpipe band piped us out with “Amazing Grace”. He had planned the whole service, scriptures and all. You guessed it; I cried through a lot of it and was undone by the pipers. You can bet I was taking notes!

Well done, good and faithful servant.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

(Elvina Hall, 1865)

*How Great Thou Art, 1885

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October 16, 2023

Postcards from Maryland

by chuckofish

Well, I had a wonderful visit with daughter #2’s little family–the weather was perfect and we had quite an extended gabfest. We went to all the parks: green, red and blue. We went to the pumpkin patch.

I had a wonderful time.

My travel, though stressful (heightened security!) and exhausting, was incident-free and (relatively) easy-peasy. Daughter #1 was waiting for me at the airport when I returned and the OM did not burn the house down while I was gone. ☑️

On Sunday everything was back to normal and we went to church and watched the wee bud play soccer. But it was a lot colder this weekend and we had to dig out some hats and gloves!

Are we having fun yet?

Even so, it is good to be back in flyover country!

Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness,
make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.

Teach me, Lord, teach me truly how to live,
that I may come to know thee,
and in thy presence serve thee with gladness,
and sing songs of praise to thy glory.

(Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876)

6 Comments

October 9, 2023

Tune my heart to sing thy grace

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Ours was a perfect flyover fall weekend–gorgeous blue sky weather with temperatures in the 60s. It doesn’t get much better than that.

We did all the things–1st grade soccer on Saturday… the boy(s) are getting better!

…and church on Sunday. We had a good guest preacher and an excellent adult ed class. Lots of good hymns.

I made ~~Episcopal~~ Presbyterian soufflé with all the trimmings for after church and it was very good if I don’t say so myself. The twins discovered that they really like garlic cheese breadsticks from Trader Joes. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful day and the twins covered the driveway in chalk drawings. Super fun fall frolics.

Later that afternoon, after everyone had gone home, our electricity went out so the OM and I entertained ourselves by driving through Lone Elk Park where we saw some buffs.

Daughter #1 also sent me this from Instagram…

This is perfect because it is my contention that Westies are the Mini Cooper of dogs, bringing joy to everyone who sees them.

And here’s a bear story for the week. Pretty gruesome. Lesson learned: don’t go into the woods armed only with bear spray. Bring a battle-ax.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

^{(Psalm 92: 1-4)}

4 Comments

October 2, 2023

Postcards from the weekend

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was summer-y hot, but full of outdoor fun. We stayed cool in the shade watching the little bud run up and down the field in another victory for his first grade team. (Sorry, U. City.)

And Lottie lost a tooth!

After the game we celebrated Mr. Smith’s 1st birthday back at his house…

Lottie made him a birthday card–doesn’t this look just like Mr. Smith?

Mr. Smith got a lot of exercise playing catch in the back yard. Earlier in the day he and daughter #1 had walked up the street to see the U. City Homecoming parade. Field hockey girls never change.

On Sunday we heard a good sermon from a guest preacher. The church was full so the singing was especially robust. I cried as usual. Afterwards the boy and the twins came over for bagels. We sat outside and enjoyed the cooler temperature. Lottie and the bud ran around and quarreled and got very dirty playing on the driveway–good times.

Meanwhile Katie is ready for October with her new festive attire from her aunt Lauren:

I watched some of the Ryder Cup and one really good movie. Cinema Paradiso (1988) is one of my all-time favorite Italian movies (top five) and a favorite movie, period. (Just don’t watch the director’s cut.)

I always cry during the last 15 minutes–what movie lover doesn’t?

Speaking of movies, Charlton Heston is the star of the month on TCM, so be sure to check out the schedule on Wednesday nights!

And here’s Willie Nelson’s new bluegrass version of A Good Hearted Woman:

3 Comments

September 25, 2023

“Thou art my Counselor, my pattern, and my Guide”*

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was a quiet one. Daughter #1 was in Maryland visiting daughter #2. I picked her up at the airport on Saturday and we were both relieved that her flight back was uneventful and unaffected by the hurricane back east.

I watched a little SEC football–Alabama vs Ole Miss–so I would have a better grip on Matt Mitchell’s weekly SEC recap. He is so mean to Mizzou, but I love him anyway.

Can’t wait to see what he has to say this week!

We saw the boy and the twins at church and enjoyed an interesting adult ed class on AI (let us not forget that God is sovereign) as well as a good sermon by the seminary student who is our Youth Minister. It actually contained a little brimstone. I do like some brimstone in a sermon.

We went to the wee laddie’s soccer game later in the afternoon. His other grandparents were there, visiting from Florida–so he had quite the cheering section.

He is slowly but surely getting the idea of the game…

His team is still undefeated thanks to two players who look and play like fourth graders. God bless America.

Also, I appreciated this text from the boy:

*Isaac Watts, 1707

6 Comments

September 18, 2023

Just as I am

by chuckofish

The Greentree Festival was this weekend in our hometown, so, of course, we went to the parade. Per usual, there were bagpipers, army trucks, the KHS band, Shriners, floats, old cars, and more:

The twins had a great time–they couldn’t believe people were throwing candy at them…

…and Mr. Smith had fun being out and about too!

After church on Sunday we went to watch the wee bud’s soccer game. We have now officially entered the grandparents going to their grandchildrens’ sporting events phase of our lives–I am not complaining.

It was a beautiful day to sit outside and we had a lot fun. Once when the ball went out of bounds right in front of us, Lottie picked it up and threw it back in and all the boys yelled, “Lottieeeee, what are you doing?” It was pretty funny. She just laughed and gave them a fiddle-de-dee look.

The boy’s team won the game and they are 2 and 0 now. They have a couple of boys who can actually dribble and they score all the goals. The rest run up and down the field and try not to fall down.

So it’s Monday again and September is half over. May the God of every grace be with you today.

4 Comments

September 11, 2023

“But meantime let me whoop it up”*

by chuckofish

Today is daughter #1’s birthday. She was born during a humdinger of a thunderstorm and a low pressure system that caused the water of every pregnant woman in St. Louis County to break. Seriously, they were lined up in the hallway at St. Luke’s. She was two weeks early, but that wasn’t a big deal since back then Moms stayed at the hospital for a week anyway–at least Dr. Gulick’s patients did. I was never in the hallway either and I had a private room, so no complaints from this peanut gallery.

This year we celebrated her birthday on Sunday in our usual style…

…with tacos and Tippin’s pie.

Because daughter #1, the OM and I went to our favorite winery on Saturday to celebrate her birthday and listen to the musical stylings of Bryan Toben…

…we missed the wee laddie’s first soccer game (there are 9 more), but the boy, who is also one of the coaches, took lots of good pictures.

I looked for, but could not find, any pictures of the boy at the same age playing soccer–but he looked just like this.

Sunrise, sunset.

In other news, the twins started Sunday School with the big kids (1st grade!) so we are all going to Sunday School at 10:00 am before the 11:00 am service. This is quite a departure from the way we were used to doing it in the Episcopal Church where Sunday School was just a short business during the sermon and communion. Besides all the kids’ classes, there are six adult classes to choose from–the boy and I attended the class on “Modern Ethical Topics”. I was impressed.

So onward and upward. This will be a busy week. May the God of love and peace be with you.

*Robert W. Service, “Birthday“

4 Comments

September 4, 2023

“I blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop top”*

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty quiet. I caught up with reading and watched several good movies. And today is a bonus day–huzzah!

On Friday afternoon daughter #1 and I went to our favorite local restaurant/bar (one we had helped keep open during COVID) for a happy hour bottle of wine. We had not been there in at least six weeks, but our two favorite waiters came up to greet us with a cheery hello as we entered. They pointed us to our favorite window seats and then came over to explain that the menu had changed and the Rosé we always ordered was no longer on the new list. We asked which they recommended and they said the French, so we ordered it. When the wine arrived they asked if we wanted the hummus and we said, of course.

In this day and age it really is nice to be known and recognized and welcomed somewhere. The only other place this happens is in church!

It was good to be back in church after August, which had been rather hit or miss (mostly miss) because of travel and illness. We sang a rousing selection of the good old Anglican hymns and the more folksy American ones. I love them both.

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty Rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.

(Elizabeth C. Clepbane, 1890)

The wee twins and the boy, along with daughter #1 and Mr. Smith, came over for a barbecue on Sunday night. (Daughter #3 was sick at home.) We had not seen the twins in several weeks–it is a busy time of year! We heard all about first grade and all the things.