What a pleasure it is to find this in my inbox for reading over tea while listening to birds outside aware of the all-too-early sunrise. Thanks from 496.
497. sometimes i forget to read you and then when i remember to open substack like i did this morning and can smile and be out of my everyday problematic life for a few minutes, i feel rescued. thank you! (80 and you're in good company: Sir Paul, and Brian Wilson. and of course Bob Dylan, but he's 81 now.)
Yes, the blend of nature with high tech can be so enriching! I'm using the free bird ID app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify an array of birds. I hear a bird calling, whip out my iPhone, open the app, and voilá, it can record the birdsong and tell me what it most likely is. This week I finally identified, by birdsong and eyewitness, a Brown Thrasher-- what a triumph! I've been hearing this bird for twenty years and had no idea. And two days ago, at 7:00 AM, I spied three adolescent raccoons busily rummaging under the bird feeder, feeding on the ample spilled seed. I talked to them through the window, and they ignored me... So I went outside and slowly crept into view. They quickly climbed up the tree a little ways, and peeked at me, but after a minute, they each descended and resumed eating, ignoring my presence only ten feet away. I made a slew of short videos with my phone, and gleefully texted the best ones to my close friends and family. And yes, don't worry, I know about the dangers of rabies carried by raccoons. But twenty-five years ago I had the satisfaction of raising a baby raccoon and returning it to the wild as an adult, and I find raccoons to be delightfully intelligent and personable.
TWA has been a mainstay of my morning ritual for decades. Love GK & Friends. PHC was all
the entertainment needed on a Saturday night. Bless you for the giant warmth you send out into the world. Into the 90's sounds just right---and since I'm only 9 years behind you, I'll cherish the company.
My father suffered from mitral valve prolapse (misdiagnosed for years as a heart murmur) and had the valve replaced at age 80....lived to be 89 and would have gone on longer had he not fallen and broken his hip! Walk carefully and carry a big stick and you'll be fine.
I loved this piece and reminds me of having lunch or dinner with my grandkids who are also addicted to the mobile device . But it’s ok the future is here and I’m able to enjoy sharing our presence with the grandkids and listen to what’s important to them through their friends in Ireland , London and the other side of this country . Garrison has a way to simply put all that feel in his writing and I appreciate that and often laugh out loud.
495
I enjoy all your columns
You are a lucky man, have a happy future.
What a pleasure it is to find this in my inbox for reading over tea while listening to birds outside aware of the all-too-early sunrise. Thanks from 496.
497. sometimes i forget to read you and then when i remember to open substack like i did this morning and can smile and be out of my everyday problematic life for a few minutes, i feel rescued. thank you! (80 and you're in good company: Sir Paul, and Brian Wilson. and of course Bob Dylan, but he's 81 now.)
Yes, the blend of nature with high tech can be so enriching! I'm using the free bird ID app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify an array of birds. I hear a bird calling, whip out my iPhone, open the app, and voilá, it can record the birdsong and tell me what it most likely is. This week I finally identified, by birdsong and eyewitness, a Brown Thrasher-- what a triumph! I've been hearing this bird for twenty years and had no idea. And two days ago, at 7:00 AM, I spied three adolescent raccoons busily rummaging under the bird feeder, feeding on the ample spilled seed. I talked to them through the window, and they ignored me... So I went outside and slowly crept into view. They quickly climbed up the tree a little ways, and peeked at me, but after a minute, they each descended and resumed eating, ignoring my presence only ten feet away. I made a slew of short videos with my phone, and gleefully texted the best ones to my close friends and family. And yes, don't worry, I know about the dangers of rabies carried by raccoons. But twenty-five years ago I had the satisfaction of raising a baby raccoon and returning it to the wild as an adult, and I find raccoons to be delightfully intelligent and personable.
I am a couple months older than you and share many of the same experiences. Good luck on the valve job.
TWA has been a mainstay of my morning ritual for decades. Love GK & Friends. PHC was all
the entertainment needed on a Saturday night. Bless you for the giant warmth you send out into the world. Into the 90's sounds just right---and since I'm only 9 years behind you, I'll cherish the company.
a wonderful way to view the present- and future, and start a beautiful Summer morning. Thank you.JK
The last comment “super sex” is not relevant or appropriate
Thanks for the charming column. You never fail to make me smile.
Drivers of other cars probably think I’m crazy because I laugh so much while driving and listening to your books! You’re the best👍
My father suffered from mitral valve prolapse (misdiagnosed for years as a heart murmur) and had the valve replaced at age 80....lived to be 89 and would have gone on longer had he not fallen and broken his hip! Walk carefully and carry a big stick and you'll be fine.
Sounds like a plan, may God bless you
Have you ever been checked for Marfan's?
I loved this piece and reminds me of having lunch or dinner with my grandkids who are also addicted to the mobile device . But it’s ok the future is here and I’m able to enjoy sharing our presence with the grandkids and listen to what’s important to them through their friends in Ireland , London and the other side of this country . Garrison has a way to simply put all that feel in his writing and I appreciate that and often laugh out loud.