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!
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.
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.
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...
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!
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?
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.
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.
Good iuck on sharing the books. Fewer will want them when we're gone. They once were treasures. No more.
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!