Good for you! I am fool enough not to indulge in rewrites and my readers only tolerate me. If I thought going home to Sanbornton, would make me like myself enough to emote, I might try it. But, like you, I am always surprised when I drive by the Old Tavern and there's anyone outside their houses to wave back. I miss the Elm trees, and I may live long enough to miss the Ash and maples... Breakfast with an old friend this morning, and later going to town hall to pay this-and-that. It is the ho-hum of life and, naps later, the 5 minutes of the Five O'clock news that drives me, snarling to see what has been posted from NY about the prairie...and that will heal what's been bruised.. Thanks
I was at your show in Kansas City, MO. It was lovely. Thank you for the evening of joy. I’m from northwestern Minnesota Hearing your voice brought me back to the farm where I grew up, sitting in the living room listening. I was a child/teen. I’m sure I was occupied with something else as I listened but your voice was there. I moved away, married and had children. Once we owned a computer I discovered I could go to Prairie Home Companion dot dot dot com archives and listen to ANY weekly program of my choosing. And I did. You introduced me to new music and genres. Heather Masse, The Wailin Jennys, Aoife O’Donovan, Nathaniel Ratleliff, Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, etc. I’ve been to your show a couple of times at the beautiful Fitzgerald in Saint Paul. I even waited in the cold after one show to maybe shake your hand and look into the eyes behind the voice. (I think you slipped out the back door... oh well).
Anyway, I just want to let my know I loved your show, the singing, and stories. And I agree... living in a red state has its moments. I too find the good and hang onto that. Thank You.
Thank you, Carol. I hope you found your voice in that Kansas City choir. I was thrilled to be at the Uptown and come down into the crowd and hear them singing.
No matter what the country or culture, singing patriotic songs together is a profoundly moving experience. It brings people together in a shared moment of unity, and it serves as a reminder of the strength of our nation and our shared values.
You have discovered what the vast overwhelming majority of us republicans feel about everything: We don't care. And in saying that, it is meant to convey in the simplest sense that we are minding our own business. We don't care who you pray to, what you believe, what color your skin is, who you love or who you marry. We don't care what you do inside your yard, inside your bedroom or inside your head. We don't care what you do with your body, we don't care what you do with your money and we don't care what other think, say or do for the most part. What you do, is none of my business and personally, I stick to that vehemently. It would be prudent for all of us to be aware that it is politicians and the mainstream media that would have you believe otherwise.
We Americans are good people and all it takes is a smile and a handshake to learn that.
If you don't care as much as you say you don't, then it may be the case that your politicians don't represent you. Which could be a problem in a system called a representative democracy, I suppose. If I were speaking to you directly, I would now smile and shake your hand!
Politicians represent themselves, their cronies and those with deep pockets. The ruse is that they represent us. On a person to person level, you do your thing, I'll do mine. That's called respect and minding one's own business. Politicians, well, they can suck a lemon.
I love your writing, but be careful of arrogance even in advanced age. You don’t have much runway left, pull back on the throttle and fly high to heaven. Don’t spin out on the tarmac because you missed what was right in front of you, and because of your arrogance you decided you were right. You are congratulating yourself for your arrogance and prejudice. They are so stupid, they believed all the wrong things, but because I am so great, I’ll sing with them.
Oy Garrison! There is some rugged criticism in these comments. I suppose good for the soul. I only have one small comment, and it seems you may have done it just to see if we are paying attention. It has to do with your reciting the words to the Battle Hymn. Julia wrote it " Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord....." . You said " Mine eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord". It pretty much works both ways, so it is not glaringly significant. Just sayin'.....as the kids say. I assure you, we are paying attention. Roger Krenkler L.A.
How the world changes! Or perhaps it’s just us individual humans. I used to get a lot of satisfaction when you, a person I relished listening to, pointed a barb at political malpractice and its perpetrators. I’d feel a bit mean, but it was funny, and up to a point, it is helpful to hear the opinions of other people you admire, about things that are going on. And on.
Now I agree with your column of 2/14/23 that in this stage of our lives, it’s even more helpful to fill the world with good wishes and better feelings. It’s freeing to realize that all I need to do about it is to fill myself with good wishes and better feelings. Nobody can do it for me; nobody can stop me, either.
I love it that you are sharing your own transition in this inner direction, even more than I once loved finding we shared a lot of opinions, which in the end are rather tiresome, even my own. So, thanks for everything. I wish you well. Be well.
Thanks, KS. I feel that whatever I have to say about politics, other people say it better. I like George Will and I also like Michael Tomasky of the New Republic. I'm giving up political writing just as I gave up softball when I got into my forties. I couldn'tt keep up with the kids.
I love your columns and I too am an old leftie and miss these songs we sang in public school . And starting congressional convocations with this land or America the beautiful is a wonderful idea. And you don’t have to be Protestant to have sung these songs . I am Catholic and remember every word
This is an awesome post about your show in KC and particularly exciting for me when I read about it. Up until the pandemic struck, I was part of a local sing along group that met once a month here at the Library in Western Mass town next to Amherst. Everyone was welcome and after a potluck supper we would sit in a big circle and each taking turns choosing a song from a big song book that had the lyrics and chords to over 1000 songs. And it was just as you said, everyone joyously getting into the singing and enjoying all the old songs. Not on as a grand scale an auditorium performance, but the camaraderie was beautiful and everyone always went away feeling great. Thanks. Tony P
No, like many things it seems to have evaporated after the pandemic stopped it. Just before that our wonderful leader Roger passed away after a hiking injury. A younger couple took the helm, but after a few pandemic shout outs, things went silent, and I have heard nothing of a restart. But yesterday I did forward your email about your KS/MO experience to the old List address for the group. I have no idea if it's still active, but if it is then I got to say hello to "that old gang of mine" and let them all know that the spirit is still alive.
Beautiful column. We live in Oklahoma so we know. Our children went to college in Northfield for eight consecutive years so we traveled through Kansas many times. The Flint HIlls just a few miles north of Wichita on I-35 is about 20 miles of as hauntingly beautiful land as I know.
That is such a brilliant idea to have Congress start with a song. We could all be united in song. Thank you for bringing kindness and sanity in my world. I was reflecting on the same thing last night - being a blue-ish light in a sea of red here, and yet, and yet, I went to a community theater production last night written by a local woman who suffered a stroke in her 30s and it was so funny and kind. People were asked to write down their favorite pick-up lines to enter to win a prize for Valentine's Day and none of them were about space lasers. My favorite was, no joke, "Hey, are we related?"
Good for you! I am fool enough not to indulge in rewrites and my readers only tolerate me. If I thought going home to Sanbornton, would make me like myself enough to emote, I might try it. But, like you, I am always surprised when I drive by the Old Tavern and there's anyone outside their houses to wave back. I miss the Elm trees, and I may live long enough to miss the Ash and maples... Breakfast with an old friend this morning, and later going to town hall to pay this-and-that. It is the ho-hum of life and, naps later, the 5 minutes of the Five O'clock news that drives me, snarling to see what has been posted from NY about the prairie...and that will heal what's been bruised.. Thanks
I was at your show in Kansas City, MO. It was lovely. Thank you for the evening of joy. I’m from northwestern Minnesota Hearing your voice brought me back to the farm where I grew up, sitting in the living room listening. I was a child/teen. I’m sure I was occupied with something else as I listened but your voice was there. I moved away, married and had children. Once we owned a computer I discovered I could go to Prairie Home Companion dot dot dot com archives and listen to ANY weekly program of my choosing. And I did. You introduced me to new music and genres. Heather Masse, The Wailin Jennys, Aoife O’Donovan, Nathaniel Ratleliff, Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, etc. I’ve been to your show a couple of times at the beautiful Fitzgerald in Saint Paul. I even waited in the cold after one show to maybe shake your hand and look into the eyes behind the voice. (I think you slipped out the back door... oh well).
Anyway, I just want to let my know I loved your show, the singing, and stories. And I agree... living in a red state has its moments. I too find the good and hang onto that. Thank You.
Thank you, Carol. I hope you found your voice in that Kansas City choir. I was thrilled to be at the Uptown and come down into the crowd and hear them singing.
No matter what the country or culture, singing patriotic songs together is a profoundly moving experience. It brings people together in a shared moment of unity, and it serves as a reminder of the strength of our nation and our shared values.
You have discovered what the vast overwhelming majority of us republicans feel about everything: We don't care. And in saying that, it is meant to convey in the simplest sense that we are minding our own business. We don't care who you pray to, what you believe, what color your skin is, who you love or who you marry. We don't care what you do inside your yard, inside your bedroom or inside your head. We don't care what you do with your body, we don't care what you do with your money and we don't care what other think, say or do for the most part. What you do, is none of my business and personally, I stick to that vehemently. It would be prudent for all of us to be aware that it is politicians and the mainstream media that would have you believe otherwise.
We Americans are good people and all it takes is a smile and a handshake to learn that.
If you don't care as much as you say you don't, then it may be the case that your politicians don't represent you. Which could be a problem in a system called a representative democracy, I suppose. If I were speaking to you directly, I would now smile and shake your hand!
Politicians represent themselves, their cronies and those with deep pockets. The ruse is that they represent us. On a person to person level, you do your thing, I'll do mine. That's called respect and minding one's own business. Politicians, well, they can suck a lemon.
Thanks for weighing in. This sounds more libertarian than my Republican cousins who are evangelical, but anyway I had a wonderful time in Wichita.
..."this land is your land; this land is my land"...
I love your writing, but be careful of arrogance even in advanced age. You don’t have much runway left, pull back on the throttle and fly high to heaven. Don’t spin out on the tarmac because you missed what was right in front of you, and because of your arrogance you decided you were right. You are congratulating yourself for your arrogance and prejudice. They are so stupid, they believed all the wrong things, but because I am so great, I’ll sing with them.
You got it wrong, Bridget. Creating a choir and singing bass in it is not an act of arrogance. It's called "loving your neighbor".
Oy Garrison! There is some rugged criticism in these comments. I suppose good for the soul. I only have one small comment, and it seems you may have done it just to see if we are paying attention. It has to do with your reciting the words to the Battle Hymn. Julia wrote it " Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord....." . You said " Mine eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord". It pretty much works both ways, so it is not glaringly significant. Just sayin'.....as the kids say. I assure you, we are paying attention. Roger Krenkler L.A.
Dear GK,
How the world changes! Or perhaps it’s just us individual humans. I used to get a lot of satisfaction when you, a person I relished listening to, pointed a barb at political malpractice and its perpetrators. I’d feel a bit mean, but it was funny, and up to a point, it is helpful to hear the opinions of other people you admire, about things that are going on. And on.
Now I agree with your column of 2/14/23 that in this stage of our lives, it’s even more helpful to fill the world with good wishes and better feelings. It’s freeing to realize that all I need to do about it is to fill myself with good wishes and better feelings. Nobody can do it for me; nobody can stop me, either.
I love it that you are sharing your own transition in this inner direction, even more than I once loved finding we shared a lot of opinions, which in the end are rather tiresome, even my own. So, thanks for everything. I wish you well. Be well.
KS
Thanks, KS. I feel that whatever I have to say about politics, other people say it better. I like George Will and I also like Michael Tomasky of the New Republic. I'm giving up political writing just as I gave up softball when I got into my forties. I couldn'tt keep up with the kids.
Wonderful sentiments on a day I needed them.
Wisdom! Let us attend! Thank you for this, Garrison.
I love your columns and I too am an old leftie and miss these songs we sang in public school . And starting congressional convocations with this land or America the beautiful is a wonderful idea. And you don’t have to be Protestant to have sung these songs . I am Catholic and remember every word
This is an awesome post about your show in KC and particularly exciting for me when I read about it. Up until the pandemic struck, I was part of a local sing along group that met once a month here at the Library in Western Mass town next to Amherst. Everyone was welcome and after a potluck supper we would sit in a big circle and each taking turns choosing a song from a big song book that had the lyrics and chords to over 1000 songs. And it was just as you said, everyone joyously getting into the singing and enjoying all the old songs. Not on as a grand scale an auditorium performance, but the camaraderie was beautiful and everyone always went away feeling great. Thanks. Tony P
This sounds beautiful to me –– I had no idea anyone still did this. Has it resumed?
No, like many things it seems to have evaporated after the pandemic stopped it. Just before that our wonderful leader Roger passed away after a hiking injury. A younger couple took the helm, but after a few pandemic shout outs, things went silent, and I have heard nothing of a restart. But yesterday I did forward your email about your KS/MO experience to the old List address for the group. I have no idea if it's still active, but if it is then I got to say hello to "that old gang of mine" and let them all know that the spirit is still alive.
Love your idea of starting Congress with a song instead of prayer. How about Keep On the Sunny Side?
Oops, would need to cut out the religious verse... How about This Land is Your Land?
One of your best columns ever.
Beautiful column. We live in Oklahoma so we know. Our children went to college in Northfield for eight consecutive years so we traveled through Kansas many times. The Flint HIlls just a few miles north of Wichita on I-35 is about 20 miles of as hauntingly beautiful land as I know.
That is such a brilliant idea to have Congress start with a song. We could all be united in song. Thank you for bringing kindness and sanity in my world. I was reflecting on the same thing last night - being a blue-ish light in a sea of red here, and yet, and yet, I went to a community theater production last night written by a local woman who suffered a stroke in her 30s and it was so funny and kind. People were asked to write down their favorite pick-up lines to enter to win a prize for Valentine's Day and none of them were about space lasers. My favorite was, no joke, "Hey, are we related?"