A lovely post as ever, thank you. It always takes me by surprise each time an American shows a robin — they’re just such a different bird compared to the ones we get in Europe!
Sixty+ years ago, my husband and I (age 21 and 22) were newly married, he English and me American – we had one of those arguments where we each felt it was important to be right, over a bird which I called a robin and he insisted wasn't one. Luckily, my mother was nearby and explained the discrepancy. Fast forward to the present and we would never have such an argument now but still talk a lot https://arichardson.substack.com/p/what-makes-a-marriage-work-your-views.
Ah, memorizing! As a music undergraduate, I had to perform a one-hour memorized organ recital in my junior and senior years. Forever afterwards, I was convinced that the reason I always knew everyone’s phone number from memory was the brain pathways created and now available after I graduated. Now, at 71, it’s hard to remember some of the movies I’ve seen. But I’ve never met a hymn or church music response I could forget.
To me, your best column in a few weeks. It made me realize again that you’ve been like a friend to me for a long time ever since I started hearing you on KERA in Dallas. I’m an 81 year-old who grew up in Wisconsin, came to SMU and now Dallas is home. I always go back to Minnesota and Wisconsin in the summer, to visit the graves of my parents in Pine Island, where I lived until my dad died in 1951 and then back to Monroe Wisconsin, where I grew up. But I came to SMU in 1963 and the university and people were so kind and good to me that I’ve never left. I had a tough senior year of high school and I was ready for a change. You’re part of my life! Just keep doing it! Thanks!
And prescriptions now are in three month supplies and that gives me confidence at 84 that I will be around three months from now if I can still remember to take my medication and also where my significant other misplaced it …
As I read this beautiful piece, I could imagine the recounting of your chance meeting with a fan. I'm guessing he went home and shared how touched he was by a kind New Yorker who took time to talk with him and share a little wisdom about memorizing. Isn't it grand when we take the time to see one another? Thank you.
Thank Garrison. What a great way to start my Saturday morning. A good ending to a bird story, the virtues of memorization and sage advice about how to reckon with the future for us octogenarians. Onward!
I memorized images of plant diseases, insect pests and potato varieties as a member of the FFA judging teams. Somehow, a 50+ year old picture of our old potato judging team turned upon the internet. My granddaughter asked, “ what the heck is a potato judging”?
I've never been in touch with a potato judge before. I just wonder if a potato judge looks at a person's face and can't help but spot blemishes. Don't feel you need to respond.
A lovely post as ever, thank you. It always takes me by surprise each time an American shows a robin — they’re just such a different bird compared to the ones we get in Europe!
Sixty+ years ago, my husband and I (age 21 and 22) were newly married, he English and me American – we had one of those arguments where we each felt it was important to be right, over a bird which I called a robin and he insisted wasn't one. Luckily, my mother was nearby and explained the discrepancy. Fast forward to the present and we would never have such an argument now but still talk a lot https://arichardson.substack.com/p/what-makes-a-marriage-work-your-views.
So...not an African swallow, then?
A beautiful day in the neighborhood!
Beautiful. Truly beautiful.
Ah, memorizing! As a music undergraduate, I had to perform a one-hour memorized organ recital in my junior and senior years. Forever afterwards, I was convinced that the reason I always knew everyone’s phone number from memory was the brain pathways created and now available after I graduated. Now, at 71, it’s hard to remember some of the movies I’ve seen. But I’ve never met a hymn or church music response I could forget.
Thank you, Garrison. A memory like yours is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.
To me, your best column in a few weeks. It made me realize again that you’ve been like a friend to me for a long time ever since I started hearing you on KERA in Dallas. I’m an 81 year-old who grew up in Wisconsin, came to SMU and now Dallas is home. I always go back to Minnesota and Wisconsin in the summer, to visit the graves of my parents in Pine Island, where I lived until my dad died in 1951 and then back to Monroe Wisconsin, where I grew up. But I came to SMU in 1963 and the university and people were so kind and good to me that I’ve never left. I had a tough senior year of high school and I was ready for a change. You’re part of my life! Just keep doing it! Thanks!
Thank you, brother.
You add a lot to a farm widow out in the middle of no where
Your selections are so varied it’s never boring
Keep it up
Between your kindness to a Lost Robin, and your memories of -how to Learn- Again, Your Humanity makes my Day a whole lot Better. Thank You Garrison
And prescriptions now are in three month supplies and that gives me confidence at 84 that I will be around three months from now if I can still remember to take my medication and also where my significant other misplaced it …
As I read this beautiful piece, I could imagine the recounting of your chance meeting with a fan. I'm guessing he went home and shared how touched he was by a kind New Yorker who took time to talk with him and share a little wisdom about memorizing. Isn't it grand when we take the time to see one another? Thank you.
Annie, you just shared a point of healing, love and beingness.
When we are seeing others, we are being ourselves
in our most best way. If doing were our fundamental
nature, would we not then be human doings?
Some people forget that the quality of our being nourishes
whatever we may be doing. Thank you!
Thank Garrison. What a great way to start my Saturday morning. A good ending to a bird story, the virtues of memorization and sage advice about how to reckon with the future for us octogenarians. Onward!
Thank you for a moment of peace in a chaotic world. I read you gentle musings daily and I am able to stand still and breathe in the joy of life.
Thank you. I've been looking for something new to memorize.
Sonnet 29: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
——
I say the same thing.
I memorized images of plant diseases, insect pests and potato varieties as a member of the FFA judging teams. Somehow, a 50+ year old picture of our old potato judging team turned upon the internet. My granddaughter asked, “ what the heck is a potato judging”?
I've never been in touch with a potato judge before. I just wonder if a potato judge looks at a person's face and can't help but spot blemishes. Don't feel you need to respond.
Minnehaha Falls works for Garrison.
At 69, I’m thinking Old Faithful.
God I love your take on things. (Personally, I sing Twinkle Twinkie Little Star when I want pee to come.)