The Baseball content is a bit impenetrable to this British reader but the underlying message appreciated & the sentiment chimes. And I read recently on one social media thread or another, that it has been confirmed that Baseball originated in England! Doubtless Google could confirm or deny...
After 37 years in California I retired and returned to "my home town" (Just who was it who used to say that? Some big guy, Carson Wiler or something?); a place that, indeed, time forgot and the decades can not nor did they, improve, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
We had a horrendous summer here with the last half of July above 90 degrees F. every day and the same heat for the first week of September. That used to be unheard of here. If we hit 90 one day every five years that was about it. Now we've had 20 or so above ninety degree days in one summer!
So I'm going out to "the edge of the prairie" or at least my prairie, the Philippines. And taking my retirement money. A place that "time forgot and the decades can not improve" (because they're incorrigible or already perfect? I never could figure out just what that guy, what was his name? Oh yea, Wiler, meant).
Your inclusion of state capitals on the “crucial” list makes me wonder if it’s my old age that inevitably answers nearly every customer service representative who’s tried, successfully or not, to help me, when they ask, “Do you have any more questions?” with, “What is the capital of South Dakota?”
I’m delighted that most of them can name any state capital at all although they almost always get the wrong one. The other day, one gave me the capital of a Canadian province even though he was an American, and by far the most common guess is Bismarck. Then, showing off my expertise in such matters, I gently remind them that Bismarck is the capital of the other Dakota, and the capital of South Dakota is Pierre, which I had discovered many years ago as a visitor there, was pronounced by the locals as “Peer.”
As I grow older, my once complete list gradually loses another state or two, and I find that the lives of people take more priority.
I too had let the summer go by, but finally attended a Twins game in late August. Again, the game went into extra innings when I discovered the new rule of planting a player on 2nd to speed up the game. I felt sort of offended that fans no longer had the patience to watch the entire saga. But then Royce Lewis pulled it off with a great swing, and the Twins won. Enjoy your time at the ballpark!
I too am beholden to all the things you value. But there is one in my life (it’s not baseball, but it gives me a sense of order.) that I adhere to faithfully. I heard it in a speech given by a general once. “Make your bed when you first get up in the morning. It sets the tone for the whole day and it is the foundation of change in the world.” Sometimes I have had a not so great day, but at the end of it, I slip into a freshly made bed, say my prayers and fall into a peaceful sleep.
And I look forward to September 15 -- when I will see you perform for the first time. Bucket list item for me-- no pressure Mr. Keillor. Thanks much for what you do and travel well!
At the advanced age of 91, I too enjoy baseball. I also have ancestors that might have known Elder John Crandall, for I have an ancestor who arrived into the new world on good ship Mayflower. As for breakfast, It has been many years since I was worthy of Grape Nuts and home brewed coffee. It is hot cereal and tea now days.
Keillor, so serendipitously, captures and enraptures the essence of baseball. Something that I, a lessor writer, have sought to do for many years in my poetry and essays online throughout the past two decades. And that is: Others, more given to team sports that are bent on malice aforethought---football and hockey come readily to the concussion mind---do not appreciate the beauty, the nuance, the metaphorical implication of this almost divinely inspired game. As I have offered in the past...if football is the The Iliad, baseball is the The Odyssey.
Garrison, you are looking forward to 9/13 with the same anticipation I have for every opening day. At an early age, perhaps 4 years old, baseball began with night games on grandpa's radio. Thank goodness he lived two doors away. Many nights I "slept over" on his 'divan.' The other thing we have in common is the "happy marriage," of which, I have mentioned before, mine has lasted over 55 years. No matter yours is not near as long, you tried and tried and finally got it right and you are obviously thankful for that. Congratulations!
Your commentary today is much like Paul calling in the host of uncircumcised, while Peter worked the Jewish. The Jews largely stuck with their faith, but the rest swept a Christian nation, currently having trouble filling their houses of worship, even to be married now in a church is passé. The Jewish wedding seems to be doing a much better binding with their fast step of " hakilah!"
You've told the story of Americana and baseball.again. Here's the big question, unanswered: How did Doubleday set the based distance to precisely 90'??? In the double play? Even in slo-mo, rarely does the foot touch the base before the ball hits the glove. Amazing!
In some ways Doubleday's rules were more wisely-accepted than Paul's. Still, Paul's race of “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Keep up the race of story and song, Garrison. We're not their yet. Press on and cheer the home team and Paul's fine screening.
The Baseball content is a bit impenetrable to this British reader but the underlying message appreciated & the sentiment chimes. And I read recently on one social media thread or another, that it has been confirmed that Baseball originated in England! Doubtless Google could confirm or deny...
After 37 years in California I retired and returned to "my home town" (Just who was it who used to say that? Some big guy, Carson Wiler or something?); a place that, indeed, time forgot and the decades can not nor did they, improve, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
We had a horrendous summer here with the last half of July above 90 degrees F. every day and the same heat for the first week of September. That used to be unheard of here. If we hit 90 one day every five years that was about it. Now we've had 20 or so above ninety degree days in one summer!
So I'm going out to "the edge of the prairie" or at least my prairie, the Philippines. And taking my retirement money. A place that "time forgot and the decades can not improve" (because they're incorrigible or already perfect? I never could figure out just what that guy, what was his name? Oh yea, Wiler, meant).
Thank you for putting in a main key to a happy life. "having a small cup so it runneth over more easily" keeps a person busy being grateful.
Your inclusion of state capitals on the “crucial” list makes me wonder if it’s my old age that inevitably answers nearly every customer service representative who’s tried, successfully or not, to help me, when they ask, “Do you have any more questions?” with, “What is the capital of South Dakota?”
I’m delighted that most of them can name any state capital at all although they almost always get the wrong one. The other day, one gave me the capital of a Canadian province even though he was an American, and by far the most common guess is Bismarck. Then, showing off my expertise in such matters, I gently remind them that Bismarck is the capital of the other Dakota, and the capital of South Dakota is Pierre, which I had discovered many years ago as a visitor there, was pronounced by the locals as “Peer.”
As I grow older, my once complete list gradually loses another state or two, and I find that the lives of people take more priority.
Lovely piece of writing.
I too had let the summer go by, but finally attended a Twins game in late August. Again, the game went into extra innings when I discovered the new rule of planting a player on 2nd to speed up the game. I felt sort of offended that fans no longer had the patience to watch the entire saga. But then Royce Lewis pulled it off with a great swing, and the Twins won. Enjoy your time at the ballpark!
Garrison, enjoyed reading these reflections this morning. Thank you.
I really like the idea of a "small cup." Indeed.
I too am beholden to all the things you value. But there is one in my life (it’s not baseball, but it gives me a sense of order.) that I adhere to faithfully. I heard it in a speech given by a general once. “Make your bed when you first get up in the morning. It sets the tone for the whole day and it is the foundation of change in the world.” Sometimes I have had a not so great day, but at the end of it, I slip into a freshly made bed, say my prayers and fall into a peaceful sleep.
And I look forward to September 15 -- when I will see you perform for the first time. Bucket list item for me-- no pressure Mr. Keillor. Thanks much for what you do and travel well!
Best! Jana Gillham, Lexington, Kentucky
At the advanced age of 91, I too enjoy baseball. I also have ancestors that might have known Elder John Crandall, for I have an ancestor who arrived into the new world on good ship Mayflower. As for breakfast, It has been many years since I was worthy of Grape Nuts and home brewed coffee. It is hot cereal and tea now days.
Garrison, Given your dedication to baseball, I thought you might enjoy this scribbling of mine. The anniversary referred to is the fifty-second. Phillip https://phillipmichaels.substack.com/p/anniversary-game
Keillor, so serendipitously, captures and enraptures the essence of baseball. Something that I, a lessor writer, have sought to do for many years in my poetry and essays online throughout the past two decades. And that is: Others, more given to team sports that are bent on malice aforethought---football and hockey come readily to the concussion mind---do not appreciate the beauty, the nuance, the metaphorical implication of this almost divinely inspired game. As I have offered in the past...if football is the The Iliad, baseball is the The Odyssey.
It is their loss. Thank you, Mr. Keillor.
Garrison, you are looking forward to 9/13 with the same anticipation I have for every opening day. At an early age, perhaps 4 years old, baseball began with night games on grandpa's radio. Thank goodness he lived two doors away. Many nights I "slept over" on his 'divan.' The other thing we have in common is the "happy marriage," of which, I have mentioned before, mine has lasted over 55 years. No matter yours is not near as long, you tried and tried and finally got it right and you are obviously thankful for that. Congratulations!
Your commentary today is much like Paul calling in the host of uncircumcised, while Peter worked the Jewish. The Jews largely stuck with their faith, but the rest swept a Christian nation, currently having trouble filling their houses of worship, even to be married now in a church is passé. The Jewish wedding seems to be doing a much better binding with their fast step of " hakilah!"
You've told the story of Americana and baseball.again. Here's the big question, unanswered: How did Doubleday set the based distance to precisely 90'??? In the double play? Even in slo-mo, rarely does the foot touch the base before the ball hits the glove. Amazing!
In some ways Doubleday's rules were more wisely-accepted than Paul's. Still, Paul's race of “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Keep up the race of story and song, Garrison. We're not their yet. Press on and cheer the home team and Paul's fine screening.
Thank you
Perfect!