work | dual personalities

September 4, 2026

In the dust and smoke of the arena*

by chuckofish

I’m heading up to the prairie today with daughter #1 and Mr. Smith to see the prairie fam–so much more fun than imaginary talking on the phone!

Enjoy your long weekend and let’s all toast the hardworking American men and women out there! And a special call out to those men who do the important jobs women don’t want to do: who pick up your trash, and fix the roads, who are plumbers and electricians, who mine the coal and fix our cars and fight the wars and protect the streets. The ones who stop on the highway and pull people out of burning cars. I salute you and I thank you.

Work and love, using each in its broadest sense – work, the quality which makes a man ashamed not to be able to pull his own weight, not to do for himself as well as for others without being beholden to anyone for what he is doing; work, no man is happy if he does not work.

–Theodore Roosevelt speaking to the railroad branch of the YMCA in Topeka, Kansas, on “decent living and high ideals”, 1903

This little picture essay offers one of the best reminders of the wonders all around us, even in a simple small apartment. We are blessed beyond measure.

And this is a really good article about Wendell Berry. “Berry’s poetic imagination shapes us to love the limits and simplicity of the real life we have, even if it’s not the perfect life.’

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

P.S. Prayers for travel mercies are much appreciated!

*Theodore Roosevelt

August 5, 2025

All in a day’s work

by chuckofish

While other people were busy packing boxes and moving things around, Katie and I worked on a craft project, which I bought at Hobby Lobby. We were so proud of ourselves when we completed it! Katie is very crafty!

Meanwhile the two boys did so much work, toting that barge and lifting that bale…

At bedtime Katie said, “Daddy and Uncle Wheelah did so many things. How could two guys be SO strong?” Indeed. We are also working on the OM’s office and reorganizing the basement. Daughter #1 is incredibly decisive–throw it away!–which I appreciate.

Well, today the prairie girls head home and I get back to work on my to-do list. What are you up to?

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

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March 12, 2024

Tuesday musings

by chuckofish

Yesterday I received my Williams College Alumni Magazine–the one with the class notes–and I took a look. I always used to enjoy reading the class notes of the really old guys, the WWII vets, but they are mostly all gone now. So I checked on the class notes with the people I know, who graduated in the 1970s, expecting the usual list of exotic travel destinations and ski and golf outings. Those were there but also quite a few quadruple by-pass operations and cancer diagnoses. Lots of grandchildren, but also news from those still waiting to be grandparents. I sensed the mood was not quite the usual upbeat drumbeat of the privileged 1%-ers.

And then there was one guy I knew back in the day who mused about why he is continuing to work full time:

Amongst my cohort of docs, retirement is the hot topic. I have pushed on; throttling back to a degree and adopting a little ‘fire me and make my day’ attitude…Tapering and keeping a little income flowing now seems right. Packing away my geriatrics skills, simply quitting work, makes me feel somewhat selfish. Am I rejecting the gift of work with selfish intent or battle fatigue? I await direction from God or physical incapacity. Will I miss out on the bucket-list life by keeping on? I don’t see it that way. If today is my last day, I’ll carry a heart of thanks.

Well, well. And well said, sir.

(This is not to say I don’t understand the desire to retire. I myself am retired and, yes, still feeling some battle fatigue. But I get what he’s saying.)

It seems appropriate to remind ourselves of this famous sermon by John Piper: Don’t waste your life!

May I hold forth the way of Jesus
  with my temper as well as my tongue,
  with my life as well as my lips.
May I say to all I meet,
  I am journeying towards the Lord’s given place,
  come with me for your good.
–Valley of Vision

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August 11, 2020

Faithless fears and worldly anxieties

by chuckofish

So yesterday I was allowed to go to my flyover university office on campus and retrieve my computer and other needful things that I have been doing without for six months (while using my personal laptop at home). Thinking I would be back in a couple of weeks, I left some plants in my office when I vacated the office back in March and they were (of course) all dead. I packed up a few files and such and brought everything home and lugged it inside and set it up.

And, oh boy, I had forgotten how great a big screen is! Anyway, I guess we are telecommuting for the long haul, i.e. the end of the year.

Sigh.

But here’s something to cheer you up if you need it:

Sigh. I’m sure we all need it.

Loving God,
you want us to give thanks for all things,
to fear nothing except losing you,
and to lay all our cares on you,
knowing that you care for us.
Protect us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties,
and grant that no clouds in this mortal life
may hide from us the light of your immortal love
shown to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

–William Bright (1824-1901)

(The painting is by Van Gogh.)

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