You have always been a conflicted and more often than not a funny writer portraying the American scene. Just when I expect a rant against a conservative point of view, you’ll do a one-eighty and slap a liberal icon as does Dave Barry or other talented satirists. I’m glad your good wife keeps you off the booze - it would just tip you into depression and not help the CAD issues. Don’t fall down or lose your wallet again. You have some more funny observations left to tell us about.
There is something about being raised in the Midwest that keeps our feet a little closer to the frozen earth beneath. But like the thrice refusal of bars after dinner, we must reject that good food and sunshine on our faces is a healthy thing. Well maybe we will have one little bite...
I am loving the fact that i am on the M72 for half-price as I am a young senior.. to go to The Hosp for Spec Surg where at 10::45 a surgeon will be replacing my left knee. What better substack newsletter to read than yours. I decided i havent read enough of the classic writers so my Riverside branch library had a great book of 100 of the Best American Short Stories. Ao far, I have read Faulkner, Hale and now Katherine Porter. The intro of the book speaks about challenges of the Short Story. One of the insights is that because its a short story
The writer works on character development vs plot. I guess the character drives the plot. As such the writer is forced to “lean into the world that they are i “ and i thought that is a great line for so much. Especially cheerfulness! God bless and enjoy all the forsythia!
Good luck with your knee replacement. When my husband was being wheeled into the OR for his second one in 2007 (between replacements of both hips) the doctor greeted us and asked him how he was doing. "Piece of cake!" He recovered so quickly that he didn't use crutches after climbing the four steps into the house and didn't need physical therapy. All four joints are still working well.
Thank you. As a poet I struggle to be cheerful without sounding like a Hallmark card. It’s work. The sad stuff is much easier. Thank you for your work and sharing your love for your love.
I’m a New Yorker married to an Iowa farm girl for 30 years. I fully embrace the choice that is fundamental to a cheerful demeanor. Why not leave them laughing , as opposed to a benign scowl, or, nothing at all? That said, I’m not so quick to embrace the Midwestern variety. My wife left small town Iowa as soon as she graduated, largely because of the suffocating conformity that could be found in abundance just behind that Midwestern smile. And don’t get me started about the food. Lutefisk was legal torture and if there’s such a thing as food-related PTSD, I have it.
Sorry Mr. Keillor, you can count me out of your column and associated ramblings. My mistake. Your bitterness regarding "progressives" and your personal attacks on Representative Omar and Ocasio-Cortez define where you are coming from. Enjoy singing hymns with the folks in red state America and life on the affluent Upper West Side of NYC. Glad you have found cheerfulness. Could you do me one favor? Since I am cancelling my Substack subscription after two months could you donate the remainder of the $115 I paid to a worthwhile organization, such as Sandy Hook Promise?
First off, you are loved by far more than one. Although she does lead the chorus. She completes her love for you as no one else can. A greater number of folks are being well, doing good work and, to the best we can, staying in touch. Many of us are happy too, and a loving wife can be a gift, as one of Johnny Carson's humorist said, "You just can't hardly get that anymore." He was right. A countless number of unweds are out there getting the milk without buying the bovine, and fewer of our younger take the cup and host in a church, as do you and I, being octogenarians. We know full well how lucky we are, given the many definitions of luck: I've got many. You've got many-many, and we're both darn grateful. We know your "being well,"and still doing, dare we say, doing fine work, and "staying in touch!" Sad to say the day will come when we can't complete the triad. Plan ahead like Scottie Fitzgerald planned to do but didn't. And King Arthur tried to pass on to young Tom:
"TOM:
Camelot! Camelot!
ARTHUR:
Yes, Camelot, my boy!
Where once it never rained till after sundown,
By eight a.m. the morning fog had flown…
Don’t let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
As Camelot. As Camelot!"
Seductions and politics won't see us through. But a good and loving wife will. Now find a "Tom" who can carry the show.
This will not be easy! My name is Tom, and no way I can do it. Even in Camelot. But we can be examples of reaching out and just plain doing what we can. And keep the table of giving and getting a round one. Fairly. 👍
Garrison, I usually agree with most of what you say, but something in this last essay gave me pause. You indicate that because of progressives, the right things aren't being taught, and instead kids are learning about systemic racism and social injustice. In my opinion, good! This is exactly what they should be taught, and in fact, is more important than singing about the sweet land of liberty and the spacious skies and the coming of the glory of the Lord. Whether you're a believer or not, it seems to me that the Lord (whoever that is) would be quite happy to know that teachers are railing against evil in an effort to educate people to be better human beings. We would truly have a sweet land of liberty if so many didn't have to suffer the consequences of hatred and bigotry, and school is the perfect place for kids to begin to understand that.
You expressed my thoughts better than I could have. Many schools can't afford to have music and art classes anymore. I learned lots of songs from my mother and grandmother and enjoyed singing many of the same ones in school music classes. I started taking violin lessons in 4th grade and learned to play them as well.
I don't know about other states, but in MA the regular teachers spend enormous amounts of time preparing the students for the state MCAS achievement tests, so there is no time available for them to teach them songs. https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/
Unfortunately, there will always be some amount of evil, injustice, and racism lurking in humanity. The problem of today's elementary/middle/highschools myopically focusing on these issues is that the *hyperfocus* of these problems causes these developing minds an undeserved and overwhelming burden. The statistics (gathered from pharma companies, CDC, etc) indicate minors are suffering levels of depression and anxiety higher than we've ever seen in developed nations. We have the highest rates of suicide ever recorded in these age-brackets, with no signs of slowing down!
If your response is essentially "Well, these side-effects are unfortunate, but the re-education must continue until morale improves", you're mirroring the most murderous dictators of the 20th century; ones who would earnestly list off the terrible racism and social inequalities (similar to yours!) needing eradication, along with the dastardly political enemies (similar to yours!) deserving punishment.
I don't advocate myopically focusing on difficult-to-face issues anymore than I advocate myopically focusing on any other subject. I contend that education in these areas can and should be taught early on, without causing undue trauma to young, developing minds. Perhaps, just perhaps, minors are suffering greater depression and anxiety than in other developed nations because of other factors - like school shootings, resulting in active shooter drills - and the knowledge that they're really not safe in schools. That sure as hell would give me anxiety and cause depression. Let's not underestimate the ability of children to understand uncomfortable and important issues, and to develop the compassion they need to carry into their adult lives. If we don't start then, well, when?
I believe we DO need to teach children how to be better, more loving people. This can be done by teaching values such as generosity, charity, patience, and virtue, WITHOUT having to saddle them with the guilt and anxiety of exactly how bad past people have been in the past (...especially if they are made to feel blame for being born into a certain "race" or socio-economic class).
Progressives remind me of some of the fundamentalists I grew up among in that they love to judge and condemn, it makes them feel good. I'm an optimist, I do not believe in the inevitability of Injustice and corruption, I see a brighter time ahead, I think young people need to know the liberty of humor and cheerfulness and not be shackled to ideology. The worst aspect of tyranny is its power to get the oppressed to oppress each other. Think about it.
Being from Roseau in the frozen swamp we call home, we could hardly wait for the weekend when we could hear The Prairie Home Companion TWICE on the weekend. We would laugh and dance-be mildly shocked at your twin cities permissiveness-all the while forgetting our butts were freezing or roasting- depending on the season. We were all extremely dismayed as what we heard sounded like a bunch of pervs herding our favorite Midwesterner and his show off the air. We took it personally and boycotted the cities. The only way we would consent to visit relatives is if we could meet around Bemidji. No 612ers for us! I have a first cousin that lived in New York when the towers burned down. He was on the phone with his Dad from the iron range when the first plane hit. We got to see him at his mothers funeral a few years ago by Hibbing. He still plays the piano and considers most singing as howling. But we never went east to see him and that does annoy us some. You make New York sound nice.
As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I'm sure you anticipated catching heck from some readers today. They may not have expected to find some sources of your distaste within a column with this title. So it goes.
Also: 'I would throw myself off the Brooklyn Bridge' is not a sound strategy, if you truly believe in cheerfulness, and hope to cultivate it in others through your writings. If necessary, I bet you will find a different way, as difficult as that may be. If not, then please at least smile all the way down.
You have always been a conflicted and more often than not a funny writer portraying the American scene. Just when I expect a rant against a conservative point of view, you’ll do a one-eighty and slap a liberal icon as does Dave Barry or other talented satirists. I’m glad your good wife keeps you off the booze - it would just tip you into depression and not help the CAD issues. Don’t fall down or lose your wallet again. You have some more funny observations left to tell us about.
There is something about being raised in the Midwest that keeps our feet a little closer to the frozen earth beneath. But like the thrice refusal of bars after dinner, we must reject that good food and sunshine on our faces is a healthy thing. Well maybe we will have one little bite...
said like a seasoned dermatologist! 😁
I am loving the fact that i am on the M72 for half-price as I am a young senior.. to go to The Hosp for Spec Surg where at 10::45 a surgeon will be replacing my left knee. What better substack newsletter to read than yours. I decided i havent read enough of the classic writers so my Riverside branch library had a great book of 100 of the Best American Short Stories. Ao far, I have read Faulkner, Hale and now Katherine Porter. The intro of the book speaks about challenges of the Short Story. One of the insights is that because its a short story
The writer works on character development vs plot. I guess the character drives the plot. As such the writer is forced to “lean into the world that they are i “ and i thought that is a great line for so much. Especially cheerfulness! God bless and enjoy all the forsythia!
Good luck with your knee replacement. When my husband was being wheeled into the OR for his second one in 2007 (between replacements of both hips) the doctor greeted us and asked him how he was doing. "Piece of cake!" He recovered so quickly that he didn't use crutches after climbing the four steps into the house and didn't need physical therapy. All four joints are still working well.
Much needed, thank you. Blessings!
Thank you. As a poet I struggle to be cheerful without sounding like a Hallmark card. It’s work. The sad stuff is much easier. Thank you for your work and sharing your love for your love.
This was beautiful and uplifting thank you for sharing it.
I’m a New Yorker married to an Iowa farm girl for 30 years. I fully embrace the choice that is fundamental to a cheerful demeanor. Why not leave them laughing , as opposed to a benign scowl, or, nothing at all? That said, I’m not so quick to embrace the Midwestern variety. My wife left small town Iowa as soon as she graduated, largely because of the suffocating conformity that could be found in abundance just behind that Midwestern smile. And don’t get me started about the food. Lutefisk was legal torture and if there’s such a thing as food-related PTSD, I have it.
Cherry blossoms
Bring us together!
Is that all it takes?
Beautiful! From a stranger, I'm very happy you're happy.
Sorry Mr. Keillor, you can count me out of your column and associated ramblings. My mistake. Your bitterness regarding "progressives" and your personal attacks on Representative Omar and Ocasio-Cortez define where you are coming from. Enjoy singing hymns with the folks in red state America and life on the affluent Upper West Side of NYC. Glad you have found cheerfulness. Could you do me one favor? Since I am cancelling my Substack subscription after two months could you donate the remainder of the $115 I paid to a worthwhile organization, such as Sandy Hook Promise?
I, for one, thought it was very kind of you to make the column’s point in so succinct a manner.
That was very thoughtful. Thank you.
I'll send them $100. Thanks for your patience.
First off, you are loved by far more than one. Although she does lead the chorus. She completes her love for you as no one else can. A greater number of folks are being well, doing good work and, to the best we can, staying in touch. Many of us are happy too, and a loving wife can be a gift, as one of Johnny Carson's humorist said, "You just can't hardly get that anymore." He was right. A countless number of unweds are out there getting the milk without buying the bovine, and fewer of our younger take the cup and host in a church, as do you and I, being octogenarians. We know full well how lucky we are, given the many definitions of luck: I've got many. You've got many-many, and we're both darn grateful. We know your "being well,"and still doing, dare we say, doing fine work, and "staying in touch!" Sad to say the day will come when we can't complete the triad. Plan ahead like Scottie Fitzgerald planned to do but didn't. And King Arthur tried to pass on to young Tom:
"TOM:
Camelot! Camelot!
ARTHUR:
Yes, Camelot, my boy!
Where once it never rained till after sundown,
By eight a.m. the morning fog had flown…
Don’t let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
As Camelot. As Camelot!"
Seductions and politics won't see us through. But a good and loving wife will. Now find a "Tom" who can carry the show.
This will not be easy! My name is Tom, and no way I can do it. Even in Camelot. But we can be examples of reaching out and just plain doing what we can. And keep the table of giving and getting a round one. Fairly. 👍
Most good things are not easy. Bad things are even worse!
Garrison, I usually agree with most of what you say, but something in this last essay gave me pause. You indicate that because of progressives, the right things aren't being taught, and instead kids are learning about systemic racism and social injustice. In my opinion, good! This is exactly what they should be taught, and in fact, is more important than singing about the sweet land of liberty and the spacious skies and the coming of the glory of the Lord. Whether you're a believer or not, it seems to me that the Lord (whoever that is) would be quite happy to know that teachers are railing against evil in an effort to educate people to be better human beings. We would truly have a sweet land of liberty if so many didn't have to suffer the consequences of hatred and bigotry, and school is the perfect place for kids to begin to understand that.
You expressed my thoughts better than I could have. Many schools can't afford to have music and art classes anymore. I learned lots of songs from my mother and grandmother and enjoyed singing many of the same ones in school music classes. I started taking violin lessons in 4th grade and learned to play them as well.
I don't know about other states, but in MA the regular teachers spend enormous amounts of time preparing the students for the state MCAS achievement tests, so there is no time available for them to teach them songs. https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/
Unfortunately, there will always be some amount of evil, injustice, and racism lurking in humanity. The problem of today's elementary/middle/highschools myopically focusing on these issues is that the *hyperfocus* of these problems causes these developing minds an undeserved and overwhelming burden. The statistics (gathered from pharma companies, CDC, etc) indicate minors are suffering levels of depression and anxiety higher than we've ever seen in developed nations. We have the highest rates of suicide ever recorded in these age-brackets, with no signs of slowing down!
If your response is essentially "Well, these side-effects are unfortunate, but the re-education must continue until morale improves", you're mirroring the most murderous dictators of the 20th century; ones who would earnestly list off the terrible racism and social inequalities (similar to yours!) needing eradication, along with the dastardly political enemies (similar to yours!) deserving punishment.
I don't advocate myopically focusing on difficult-to-face issues anymore than I advocate myopically focusing on any other subject. I contend that education in these areas can and should be taught early on, without causing undue trauma to young, developing minds. Perhaps, just perhaps, minors are suffering greater depression and anxiety than in other developed nations because of other factors - like school shootings, resulting in active shooter drills - and the knowledge that they're really not safe in schools. That sure as hell would give me anxiety and cause depression. Let's not underestimate the ability of children to understand uncomfortable and important issues, and to develop the compassion they need to carry into their adult lives. If we don't start then, well, when?
I believe we DO need to teach children how to be better, more loving people. This can be done by teaching values such as generosity, charity, patience, and virtue, WITHOUT having to saddle them with the guilt and anxiety of exactly how bad past people have been in the past (...especially if they are made to feel blame for being born into a certain "race" or socio-economic class).
We teach children to be loving people by example, not by yelling at them. I say this in a soft voice.
Progressives remind me of some of the fundamentalists I grew up among in that they love to judge and condemn, it makes them feel good. I'm an optimist, I do not believe in the inevitability of Injustice and corruption, I see a brighter time ahead, I think young people need to know the liberty of humor and cheerfulness and not be shackled to ideology. The worst aspect of tyranny is its power to get the oppressed to oppress each other. Think about it.
Well said! I just can’t buy you’re, “ the progressives have ruined, this or that or the other”, Mr. K.
Signing off
Good iuck on sharing the books. Fewer will want them when we're gone. They once were treasures. No more.
That said, keep saying, “Have you read this great story?” Start with O. Henry and later move to a book that really makes you think!
Being from Roseau in the frozen swamp we call home, we could hardly wait for the weekend when we could hear The Prairie Home Companion TWICE on the weekend. We would laugh and dance-be mildly shocked at your twin cities permissiveness-all the while forgetting our butts were freezing or roasting- depending on the season. We were all extremely dismayed as what we heard sounded like a bunch of pervs herding our favorite Midwesterner and his show off the air. We took it personally and boycotted the cities. The only way we would consent to visit relatives is if we could meet around Bemidji. No 612ers for us! I have a first cousin that lived in New York when the towers burned down. He was on the phone with his Dad from the iron range when the first plane hit. We got to see him at his mothers funeral a few years ago by Hibbing. He still plays the piano and considers most singing as howling. But we never went east to see him and that does annoy us some. You make New York sound nice.
As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I'm sure you anticipated catching heck from some readers today. They may not have expected to find some sources of your distaste within a column with this title. So it goes.
Also: 'I would throw myself off the Brooklyn Bridge' is not a sound strategy, if you truly believe in cheerfulness, and hope to cultivate it in others through your writings. If necessary, I bet you will find a different way, as difficult as that may be. If not, then please at least smile all the way down.
words of true wisdom, thank you for a great start to a wonderful day!