Good morning, Garrison. I’m so glad to hear from you this morning, coffee slippage notwithstanding. I, too, am at the railing clutching stage, even for my own front steps. And I’m incredibly impressed by your having been published in The New Yorker. Let’s keep going—one day at a time.
Diagnosis: ear worm. Not at all like brain worm, although they are not mutually exclusive.
Like many people who love music and know a lot of it, I get ear worm with some regularity. This past week ear worm has taken over the brain with the great old Chuck Mangione song, "Feels So Good" and, frankly, its persistence has not felt so good as I'm tired of "hearing" a song I have liked well enough over the years! A different kind of consequence of that ear worm is the memory of old (and delightful) "King of the Hill" recurring themes involving Chuck Mangione! All of the Mangione intrusive content, of course, is from the homicide in NYC and, perhaps even worse, its celebration in some circles in America - maybe the same ones who think fascists and nazis and that ilk should run our government. And we know that at least one of them has brain worm and it's doubtful he has music in him to produce ear worm.
Garrison, your God and mine moves in mysterious ways, and wonders abound for all to experience. You have a much-appreciated gift for revealing that, including what a friend learned from his mother, that yes, God is everywhere, even in the jelly jar. From one St. Michaelinian to another, thank you for the light you shine on all you encounter.
It is good for you and for all of us to think back on the Angels among us. Your Angel not only blessed you. Her slush pile selection has brought "good news of great joy to (if not) all people" (at least some of us).
If the author and his readers have not seen the award-winning "The Parking Lot Movie", do so now (available free online). Check out the trailer. After you watch the film, consider donating to the GoFundMe for the owner of the parking lot, Chris Farina, who has ALS.
Being only a couple years younger than you, I suffer periodic global aphasia. It is good to have an important sounding name for what I always thought of as natural stupidity creeping in. But more to the point, I am also one lucky character when it comes to accidents of history. After traveling the world for eight years at taxpayer expense, I decided that college would get me on the right track. It did, and I met my wife there when we were in grad. school. She was dating a friend of mine. The friend became a former friend and my wife and I have been together for almost fifty years. A lot of forks in the road happened along the way that have led to this point. Life has a way of pulling out surprises if we just let it. Happy new year.
I would have voted for you as Time Person of the Year...but I did not get a vote...I am just proud they voted Kaitlin Clark Athlete of the Year...they definitely got that one right.
The joys of human interaction is very evident in this article. Today’s, “slush pile,” is likely monitored by a computer bot, incapable of human emotion. This means, no matter how much a submission to The New Yorker invokes a human feeling, the computer bots will not recognize this trait. Computer bots are all about, “ Just the facts, sir.”
I smiled as I read this. Every time you mention your beginnings with The New Yorker, I am reminded of your telling of your 8th grade English teacher handing you your first New Yorker magazine. That teacher was my dad and thanks to that anecdote I enjoy a little piece of him and his influence on the path you chose.
A random social media post this morning included a still and some dialogue (between a dying man and an angel) from a wonderful -- quite beautiful -- Wim Wenders film, 'Wings of Desire.' Angels and more angels. The Missus tells me that when one encounters three or more occurrences of some phenomenon in a single 24 hour period, it "means something." I shall be on the lookout for the third angel today.
Thank you as always... Your posts have become something of a railing to clutch onto as I make my way up and down the week.
When I was Artistic Director at the Mt. Hope Estate, home of the PA Ren Faire and other interactive events we created in the late 80s, the owner used to insist on being the lead attendant parking cars as they came into the event. He said that it was the patrons' first impression and he wanted to be there to ensure it was a good one. He was a smart attorney who meddled in too many things about the event that he knew too little about. But I think he was right about that one.
Good morning, Garrison. I’m so glad to hear from you this morning, coffee slippage notwithstanding. I, too, am at the railing clutching stage, even for my own front steps. And I’m incredibly impressed by your having been published in The New Yorker. Let’s keep going—one day at a time.
I'll take good luck over the other options any day.
Diagnosis: ear worm. Not at all like brain worm, although they are not mutually exclusive.
Like many people who love music and know a lot of it, I get ear worm with some regularity. This past week ear worm has taken over the brain with the great old Chuck Mangione song, "Feels So Good" and, frankly, its persistence has not felt so good as I'm tired of "hearing" a song I have liked well enough over the years! A different kind of consequence of that ear worm is the memory of old (and delightful) "King of the Hill" recurring themes involving Chuck Mangione! All of the Mangione intrusive content, of course, is from the homicide in NYC and, perhaps even worse, its celebration in some circles in America - maybe the same ones who think fascists and nazis and that ilk should run our government. And we know that at least one of them has brain worm and it's doubtful he has music in him to produce ear worm.
😆😂🤣😂😂
❤️👼😘
Garrison, your God and mine moves in mysterious ways, and wonders abound for all to experience. You have a much-appreciated gift for revealing that, including what a friend learned from his mother, that yes, God is everywhere, even in the jelly jar. From one St. Michaelinian to another, thank you for the light you shine on all you encounter.
It is good for you and for all of us to think back on the Angels among us. Your Angel not only blessed you. Her slush pile selection has brought "good news of great joy to (if not) all people" (at least some of us).
And speaking of angels, I do hope you appreciate the true angel that you are to your readers —together with the visitation of your stories.
Having this genuine blessing in our lives truly does mean so much to us, especially in these times.
(And now we see how we, too, owe our gratitude Mary Kierstead as well. ;-) )
If the author and his readers have not seen the award-winning "The Parking Lot Movie", do so now (available free online). Check out the trailer. After you watch the film, consider donating to the GoFundMe for the owner of the parking lot, Chris Farina, who has ALS.
Being only a couple years younger than you, I suffer periodic global aphasia. It is good to have an important sounding name for what I always thought of as natural stupidity creeping in. But more to the point, I am also one lucky character when it comes to accidents of history. After traveling the world for eight years at taxpayer expense, I decided that college would get me on the right track. It did, and I met my wife there when we were in grad. school. She was dating a friend of mine. The friend became a former friend and my wife and I have been together for almost fifty years. A lot of forks in the road happened along the way that have led to this point. Life has a way of pulling out surprises if we just let it. Happy new year.
I would have voted for you as Time Person of the Year...but I did not get a vote...I am just proud they voted Kaitlin Clark Athlete of the Year...they definitely got that one right.
The joys of human interaction is very evident in this article. Today’s, “slush pile,” is likely monitored by a computer bot, incapable of human emotion. This means, no matter how much a submission to The New Yorker invokes a human feeling, the computer bots will not recognize this trait. Computer bots are all about, “ Just the facts, sir.”
I smiled as I read this. Every time you mention your beginnings with The New Yorker, I am reminded of your telling of your 8th grade English teacher handing you your first New Yorker magazine. That teacher was my dad and thanks to that anecdote I enjoy a little piece of him and his influence on the path you chose.
Speaking of angels, I believe he is smiling, too!
Two degrees between you and GK!
Thank you for this comment. I was going to say something like it but couldn't be sure... I always lose count after ONE degree! 🤣
I think the basic idea is that we are all much closer to each other than
we may seem to be, as individuals as well as in 'stations of life.'
How wonderful♥️
A random social media post this morning included a still and some dialogue (between a dying man and an angel) from a wonderful -- quite beautiful -- Wim Wenders film, 'Wings of Desire.' Angels and more angels. The Missus tells me that when one encounters three or more occurrences of some phenomenon in a single 24 hour period, it "means something." I shall be on the lookout for the third angel today.
Thank you as always... Your posts have become something of a railing to clutch onto as I make my way up and down the week.
...excellent!
When I was Artistic Director at the Mt. Hope Estate, home of the PA Ren Faire and other interactive events we created in the late 80s, the owner used to insist on being the lead attendant parking cars as they came into the event. He said that it was the patrons' first impression and he wanted to be there to ensure it was a good one. He was a smart attorney who meddled in too many things about the event that he knew too little about. But I think he was right about that one.
Love the serendipity of things and yes, maybe angels are watching over you and me, my lord.
So happy to get your card. Hope you received ours. Much love and Happy Holidays cousin Gary!
Ear Worm Home Remedy - chew gum! Get all the goodie out of that piece of gum, then chew another piece! Repeat as necessary.
Nine out of ten dentists surveyed say that can lead to toothworm... ;-)