I can't tell you how good it made me feel to see that you are doing A Prairie Home Companion. I reared my kids sitting in the shade of a tree in the side yard on Sunday afternoons in Wisconsin listening to A Prairie Home Companion.
I'd give a dollar and a dime to be there, but I'll be living abroad by then. (Not jumping ship; just following the wife to one more good job before we come back and I can start a garden.)
All the best my friend and thanks for all the great Sunday afternoons with my kids.
I love the simple humanity of what you are writing. Here in Ireland ( Belfast) I have been taken aback at the replacement of eloquence from US officials by verbally insulting language.
My mother used to say ' Good manners costs nothing'.
My wife ,Rodat and I still talk about your Dublin show.
Amen, Uncle! Thanks for writing this. My elderly parents fly cross country a few times a year and always appreciate the respect others show them. Yes, thank you for singing in Richmond, especially those songs.
Yes, good manners are more important that ever but even more important is kindness. Kindness, empathy, true caring about the well-being of others is what is absent in this administration. A Maryland father sent by mistake to an El Salvador torture prison? Nope. Can't bring him back, nor anyone else we care to grab and send there. Senior citizens, dependent on Social Security lining up at SS offices before dawn to straighten out a problem or give a change of address? Who cares! Fire more staff anyway! A student snatched off the street and flown, before a court order could stop it, to a detention center in Louisiana, all for writing an op-ed in a school newspaper? So what? She was clearly a threat to national security. Children dying in Africa because of slashing to death USAID? Efficiency!
Garrison, I admire how you are able to send your message about the state of the union with gentleness and humor. I wish I could emulate you more. But I can't. I just can't. However, I can - and I certainly try to - be kind and empathetic in my daily life to the people around me, including someone who might drop his glasses under a table or need help with his computer. We can all do that. Small things make a difference. Big things too. Protest on 4/19. I hope to see you all there.
Beautifully written, Kate. I so agree with every word. What is happening under this administration is infuriating, heartbreaking and terrifying. The loss of basic kindness and empathy for others is at the core of all that is happening. Garrison is truly able to send this message with gentle kindness and humor. Small acts of kindness and basic good manners every day do make a difference. But the magnitude of the despicable things happening will need all kind and empathetic people to do all we can to protest and stop this madness. We need to protest in every way we can, including on 4/19. See you there! We need to rage against the dying of the light.
I am a retired clergyman (church pastor and gerontology chaplain) turned Santa Claus for the last ten seasons. My wife, also retired clergy and now a truly delightful Mrs Claus with me, announces to children that we are on The Kindness Tour when we visit, seeking examples of unassuming kindness. It’s way better than focusing on ‘a naughty or nice list,’ as there’s more than enough judgment of behavior these days.
Yes, while we understand the judgement as things certainly seem to have gotten nastier in this tRumpian era, we cannot abide by it. While I won’t shy from speaking up when injustice or meanness pollutes life, lifting up examples of kindness helps kindness multiply!
I was touched by your comments, Kate, just as Mr Keillor moved me with his gentle wisdom on manners and grace.
Your article brought tears to my eyes. Despite all the ugly incivility that lives out loud and proud in Trump’s version of America, hearts still beat that love decency, kindness, good memories and the American values of freedom, dignity and the rule of law.
Just 10 minutes? You're a genius. At least you found the flashlight. I didn't until my engineer/computer scientist husband showed me. But that was last year. I may need another lesson. I'm 78.
Loved your 'few words' piece. Manners and kindness, mirabile dictu! Thank you.
Yeah, well Trump SUCKS anyway, especially his hairstyle. (laughing) It's amazing that America is becoming the very thing it used to despise since at least 1939. ;-)
I can only use my cell phone to call and receive calls and to send and receive text messages. I don't have children, and I assume that the price I pay for that is the complete inability to do anything more with my cell phone. No one to teach me how to do it.
I, too, have your type of cell phone. But my land line, internet and tv are all bundled with my carrier. When that company has a power outage (which happened with the storms this past week), my cell phone is the only thing I have that connects me to the rest of the world, and after a week without internet / tv (news) access, I'm thinking I need to change up (?) to a 'smart phone' because it seems so many communicate and do business via electronic technology. I'm terrified....
do that. I am 70. The smart phone has saved me so many times in so many ways it would be innumerable to try and list them for you so I won't. but genuinely necessary information, help if you get lost when you're driving, SIRI can find me just about anything I need to know, and now with AI responding to answers in Google queries, the information is so much more accurate and specific and quick, a lot less ads and garbage to scroll through. Smart phones really are a lifesaver
You seem to capture many of thoughts and response many of us have to present day society. My sadness swells every day. Thank you for sharing your ideas; you write like an angel. Marjorie Salem
When I wake up in the morning, too early as usual, I read my news feed to make sure my country still exists. The last thing I read is your column which lifts my mood. I have been to four of your shows and loved them all. I felt better, lighter and happier after each one. An unasked for gift from you to me. Thank you, Garrison. It’s just what I needed.
"“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “My Girl” and “How Great Thou Art” and “You Are My Sunshine.” They hadn’t done this for a while. They were moved, even the men. I saw a couple men dab at their eyes. This is no small thing.""----
HOW SAD TO BE LOCKED UP IN ONE'S HATE AND DERISION....NOT ASKING TO HELP BUT SHOUTING AND MAYBE EVEN WORSE. WE 80'S+ COULD GET KNOCKED ON OUR FANNY, OR TAKE A PUNCH TO HEAD....ALL OF WHICH MAY DROP US IN PAIN....OR WORSE.
DON'T EVEN THINK OF THIS MR. KEILLOR. IT PUTS US WHERE WE WOULD BETTER NOT BE. OR, LIKE ME, I READ ABOUT IT AND STAY AWAY FROM IT IT. RISK HAS ITS OWN TROUBLES. KEEP SINGING WITH THE GOOD GANG.
I can't tell you how good it made me feel to see that you are doing A Prairie Home Companion. I reared my kids sitting in the shade of a tree in the side yard on Sunday afternoons in Wisconsin listening to A Prairie Home Companion.
I'd give a dollar and a dime to be there, but I'll be living abroad by then. (Not jumping ship; just following the wife to one more good job before we come back and I can start a garden.)
All the best my friend and thanks for all the great Sunday afternoons with my kids.
I love the simple humanity of what you are writing. Here in Ireland ( Belfast) I have been taken aback at the replacement of eloquence from US officials by verbally insulting language.
My mother used to say ' Good manners costs nothing'.
My wife ,Rodat and I still talk about your Dublin show.
That's part of the problem, Bernard. They don't value anything that doesn't cost money.
Amen, Uncle! Thanks for writing this. My elderly parents fly cross country a few times a year and always appreciate the respect others show them. Yes, thank you for singing in Richmond, especially those songs.
Yes, good manners are more important that ever but even more important is kindness. Kindness, empathy, true caring about the well-being of others is what is absent in this administration. A Maryland father sent by mistake to an El Salvador torture prison? Nope. Can't bring him back, nor anyone else we care to grab and send there. Senior citizens, dependent on Social Security lining up at SS offices before dawn to straighten out a problem or give a change of address? Who cares! Fire more staff anyway! A student snatched off the street and flown, before a court order could stop it, to a detention center in Louisiana, all for writing an op-ed in a school newspaper? So what? She was clearly a threat to national security. Children dying in Africa because of slashing to death USAID? Efficiency!
Garrison, I admire how you are able to send your message about the state of the union with gentleness and humor. I wish I could emulate you more. But I can't. I just can't. However, I can - and I certainly try to - be kind and empathetic in my daily life to the people around me, including someone who might drop his glasses under a table or need help with his computer. We can all do that. Small things make a difference. Big things too. Protest on 4/19. I hope to see you all there.
Beautifully written, Kate. I so agree with every word. What is happening under this administration is infuriating, heartbreaking and terrifying. The loss of basic kindness and empathy for others is at the core of all that is happening. Garrison is truly able to send this message with gentle kindness and humor. Small acts of kindness and basic good manners every day do make a difference. But the magnitude of the despicable things happening will need all kind and empathetic people to do all we can to protest and stop this madness. We need to protest in every way we can, including on 4/19. See you there! We need to rage against the dying of the light.
I am a retired clergyman (church pastor and gerontology chaplain) turned Santa Claus for the last ten seasons. My wife, also retired clergy and now a truly delightful Mrs Claus with me, announces to children that we are on The Kindness Tour when we visit, seeking examples of unassuming kindness. It’s way better than focusing on ‘a naughty or nice list,’ as there’s more than enough judgment of behavior these days.
Yes, while we understand the judgement as things certainly seem to have gotten nastier in this tRumpian era, we cannot abide by it. While I won’t shy from speaking up when injustice or meanness pollutes life, lifting up examples of kindness helps kindness multiply!
I was touched by your comments, Kate, just as Mr Keillor moved me with his gentle wisdom on manners and grace.
Thank you both!
Your article brought tears to my eyes. Despite all the ugly incivility that lives out loud and proud in Trump’s version of America, hearts still beat that love decency, kindness, good memories and the American values of freedom, dignity and the rule of law.
Just 10 minutes? You're a genius. At least you found the flashlight. I didn't until my engineer/computer scientist husband showed me. But that was last year. I may need another lesson. I'm 78.
Loved your 'few words' piece. Manners and kindness, mirabile dictu! Thank you.
I don’t have trouble turning the flashlight on — it’s turning it off that takes me ten minutes!
I found out that you can ask Siri!
Thank you, Linda, Siri-ously!
Grinning as I type, Ada. I'm tempted to try the blasted thing again, recovering Luddite that I am....
Singing with is better than swearing at any day...
Yeah, well Trump SUCKS anyway, especially his hairstyle. (laughing) It's amazing that America is becoming the very thing it used to despise since at least 1939. ;-)
You are sooooooo right!
I’m not sure I want to live in a world without Garrison Keillor in it. Thank you, sir!
I can only use my cell phone to call and receive calls and to send and receive text messages. I don't have children, and I assume that the price I pay for that is the complete inability to do anything more with my cell phone. No one to teach me how to do it.
I, too, have your type of cell phone. But my land line, internet and tv are all bundled with my carrier. When that company has a power outage (which happened with the storms this past week), my cell phone is the only thing I have that connects me to the rest of the world, and after a week without internet / tv (news) access, I'm thinking I need to change up (?) to a 'smart phone' because it seems so many communicate and do business via electronic technology. I'm terrified....
do that. I am 70. The smart phone has saved me so many times in so many ways it would be innumerable to try and list them for you so I won't. but genuinely necessary information, help if you get lost when you're driving, SIRI can find me just about anything I need to know, and now with AI responding to answers in Google queries, the information is so much more accurate and specific and quick, a lot less ads and garbage to scroll through. Smart phones really are a lifesaver
You seem to capture many of thoughts and response many of us have to present day society. My sadness swells every day. Thank you for sharing your ideas; you write like an angel. Marjorie Salem
When I wake up in the morning, too early as usual, I read my news feed to make sure my country still exists. The last thing I read is your column which lifts my mood. I have been to four of your shows and loved them all. I felt better, lighter and happier after each one. An unasked for gift from you to me. Thank you, Garrison. It’s just what I needed.
Thank you for speaking for so many of us.
"“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “My Girl” and “How Great Thou Art” and “You Are My Sunshine.” They hadn’t done this for a while. They were moved, even the men. I saw a couple men dab at their eyes. This is no small thing.""----
HOW SAD TO BE LOCKED UP IN ONE'S HATE AND DERISION....NOT ASKING TO HELP BUT SHOUTING AND MAYBE EVEN WORSE. WE 80'S+ COULD GET KNOCKED ON OUR FANNY, OR TAKE A PUNCH TO HEAD....ALL OF WHICH MAY DROP US IN PAIN....OR WORSE.
DON'T EVEN THINK OF THIS MR. KEILLOR. IT PUTS US WHERE WE WOULD BETTER NOT BE. OR, LIKE ME, I READ ABOUT IT AND STAY AWAY FROM IT IT. RISK HAS ITS OWN TROUBLES. KEEP SINGING WITH THE GOOD GANG.
I just need this smile… thanks.
You're one up on me. I have no idea how to use the "flashlight" function on my cellphone. I don't think I'm smart enough to deserve a smartphone. 😆