Love the reference to Mozart and Don Giovanni; 1 of my favorites of Mozart's. Like your appreciation of violists, and their function in the overall scheme, orchestrally. As a formerly-'trained' violinist, rather take some umbrage to the rest. Rest.
I enjoy your column in general, and today’s in particular. I am some decades younger than you, but am of the age that when I meet my friends for coffee, we proceed with the “organ recital”, which is the time we set aside to recite to each other which of our organs are no longer working the way we think they should.
I thought you might get a kick out of “organ recital”.
Despite my age, I’m not sufficiently matured to offer a daily compliment. (I’m working on this.) I do congratulate myself for withholding at least one snide remark per day.
I love this column. When I was newly married I discovered that I could tell stories about my in-laws, about teaching myself to cook and other things in my life that would make my mother laugh. She was not generally a cheerful person and it felt good to crack her up with laughter. Throughout my career I have been known for my sense of humor and now that I am much, much older I give myself credit for being able to lift someone’s spirit however briefly that may be. I, too, have had a miserable boss. He was a horrible man both personally and professionally. We could tell he was a poor fit for our department when we discovered his complete lack of humor and humility. Add to that his complete inability to give a compliment. Everyone enjoys receiving an honest compliment, even all of us Lutherans if we were forced to admit it, so I intend to spread as many around as I can. That manure has gotten very dark and very deep and we must counteract it when we can.
I would compliment the person who chooses the photos/music that accompany your story. They are excellent and a descriptive accompaniment to your wrting. I wonder who does that. Do you?
Love your line “when the Mozart flows like the Mississippi they float along happily in it”. How lovely.
When we are out, I like to ask our server’s name and say their name when helping us. One day a server was so happy that I asked her name she thanked me profusely for thinking to do so. I often ask why it is so difficult to just be nice. It’s so easy to be kind.
Hmmm. Good that you are not bitter about that boss!
"I was astonished today when I came across the online résumé of the worst boss I ever knew, a miserable misfit who combined cluelessness and arrogance in a uniquely toxic way, and here he had the gall to write about himself as a “thought leader,” “visionary,” a “transformational” manager — Joe Blow dressing up as John the Baptist. The man had the vision of a demented mole. What he considered transformation, most people would call demolition. The yo-yo took full credit for the accomplishment of hundreds of dedicated people. There is no word for sheep manure this deep and dark."
In preparing to sing Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Bangor Symphony, our choral director prompted us to sing with a smile on the rest of our face and our eyes rather than a dour look. After all, it's and Ode to Joy, so look joyful. It sounds better as well.
It was a thrilling performance, my first with the BSO. Bittersweet afterward to know it was over, never to be repeated.
Amen, Amen. In Galatians chapter 5, Paul lists 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit. Two of them are kindness and goodness. Kindness is so imprtant in today's world. Thanks for a great column.
Thank you for spreading kindness by recognizing kindness. Why does it take old age to see and applaud goodness around us? Could we just inject a little of that 'kindness ripple' into everyone, of all ages, professions, and political persuasions? It could heal our world a lot better than a different kind of vaccine.
I've had mostly good bosses, a couple of losers, one was a horse's 6, fired me for no good reason. As for manure, some is useful. When we were living in Suburban Chicago, my brother-in-law visited and gave us several stalks of Canadian narrow stemmed rhubarb, more colorful and tastier than the regular. He also brough a bag of sheep manure to spread on the plantings because that guaranteed success. Also, white button mushrooms are grown on horse manure. Until recent decades, farmers fertilized their field with stable and dairy barn manure, using a towed manure spreader.
I worked at Ptarjée for over a year (after losing a well-paid job) and that was an education in human behavior, good and bad. As a result, I now treat retail workers with respect, and even tenderness. If they have to go through some tedious protocol because I happened to pay with a check and apologize for the wait, I either say "Do I look like someone who's in a hurry because I'm not" or "That's all right you don't make the rules."
Love the reference to Mozart and Don Giovanni; 1 of my favorites of Mozart's. Like your appreciation of violists, and their function in the overall scheme, orchestrally. As a formerly-'trained' violinist, rather take some umbrage to the rest. Rest.
Dear Mr. Keillor,
I enjoy your column in general, and today’s in particular. I am some decades younger than you, but am of the age that when I meet my friends for coffee, we proceed with the “organ recital”, which is the time we set aside to recite to each other which of our organs are no longer working the way we think they should.
I thought you might get a kick out of “organ recital”.
Sincerely,
James Todd
I try to pay at least one compliment a day.
Despite my age, I’m not sufficiently matured to offer a daily compliment. (I’m working on this.) I do congratulate myself for withholding at least one snide remark per day.
Good!
I love this column. When I was newly married I discovered that I could tell stories about my in-laws, about teaching myself to cook and other things in my life that would make my mother laugh. She was not generally a cheerful person and it felt good to crack her up with laughter. Throughout my career I have been known for my sense of humor and now that I am much, much older I give myself credit for being able to lift someone’s spirit however briefly that may be. I, too, have had a miserable boss. He was a horrible man both personally and professionally. We could tell he was a poor fit for our department when we discovered his complete lack of humor and humility. Add to that his complete inability to give a compliment. Everyone enjoys receiving an honest compliment, even all of us Lutherans if we were forced to admit it, so I intend to spread as many around as I can. That manure has gotten very dark and very deep and we must counteract it when we can.
I can sympathize with you, having had a boss like yours.
I would compliment the person who chooses the photos/music that accompany your story. They are excellent and a descriptive accompaniment to your wrting. I wonder who does that. Do you?
Love your line “when the Mozart flows like the Mississippi they float along happily in it”. How lovely.
When we are out, I like to ask our server’s name and say their name when helping us. One day a server was so happy that I asked her name she thanked me profusely for thinking to do so. I often ask why it is so difficult to just be nice. It’s so easy to be kind.
Yes it is easy to be kind and it makes me a good tipper!
Agree!
From a grateful heart comes a multitude of blessings ❤️
Hmmm. Good that you are not bitter about that boss!
"I was astonished today when I came across the online résumé of the worst boss I ever knew, a miserable misfit who combined cluelessness and arrogance in a uniquely toxic way, and here he had the gall to write about himself as a “thought leader,” “visionary,” a “transformational” manager — Joe Blow dressing up as John the Baptist. The man had the vision of a demented mole. What he considered transformation, most people would call demolition. The yo-yo took full credit for the accomplishment of hundreds of dedicated people. There is no word for sheep manure this deep and dark."
My goodness Mr Keillor, what an excellent column.
smiles are free.
distribute them widely!
In preparing to sing Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Bangor Symphony, our choral director prompted us to sing with a smile on the rest of our face and our eyes rather than a dour look. After all, it's and Ode to Joy, so look joyful. It sounds better as well.
It was a thrilling performance, my first with the BSO. Bittersweet afterward to know it was over, never to be repeated.
One kind word can change the world. Thank you for your thoughtful writing
Very good. Thank you.
Amen, Amen. In Galatians chapter 5, Paul lists 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit. Two of them are kindness and goodness. Kindness is so imprtant in today's world. Thanks for a great column.
Thank you for spreading kindness by recognizing kindness. Why does it take old age to see and applaud goodness around us? Could we just inject a little of that 'kindness ripple' into everyone, of all ages, professions, and political persuasions? It could heal our world a lot better than a different kind of vaccine.
I've had mostly good bosses, a couple of losers, one was a horse's 6, fired me for no good reason. As for manure, some is useful. When we were living in Suburban Chicago, my brother-in-law visited and gave us several stalks of Canadian narrow stemmed rhubarb, more colorful and tastier than the regular. He also brough a bag of sheep manure to spread on the plantings because that guaranteed success. Also, white button mushrooms are grown on horse manure. Until recent decades, farmers fertilized their field with stable and dairy barn manure, using a towed manure spreader.
I worked at Ptarjée for over a year (after losing a well-paid job) and that was an education in human behavior, good and bad. As a result, I now treat retail workers with respect, and even tenderness. If they have to go through some tedious protocol because I happened to pay with a check and apologize for the wait, I either say "Do I look like someone who's in a hurry because I'm not" or "That's all right you don't make the rules."