Many a time in my life I have messed up a job, broken something, fallen short of a goal because of of the foolish belief that could and should be able to manage by myself.
When I read your musings each morning, I “hear” your voice and humor so clearly. It reminds me of the old Friday radio shows and your monologues! While I love the read, I love to hear your voice. Have you considered adding audio to these Comments. I’d love to share them with my visually challenged husband in your voice!
“Accept help” is officially written on the list of things to do gracefully as I age. Thank you for the look ahead and the advice.
Sounds like your Annapolis (the capitol of my home state) adventure was worth the trip and I very much wish I could have been a bar patron that night. I miss sing alongs!
Could not agree more regarding your perspective of this country and am relying on my Lutheran optimism as I hope the citizenry makes a good choice for our next leader. That means NO DO OVERS for the current or previous holder of the job.
Two weeks ago my beloved wife and I flew from Seattle to Detroit on a perfectly clear day. I had an aisle seat and she was in the middle. About ⅔ of the window-seat passengers, upon taking their seats, immediately closed their window shades and kept them closed until we landed 4.5 hours later. They did not see the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, the deserts, the forest, the fields, the Great Lakes---No sense of wonder or awe. Very sad. As for my wife and me, we were over a wing.
I’ve had the same experience on flights. Sad to see how incurious passengers seem to be. I remember when pilots used to point out notable features on the ground during a flight. Now they seem continually absorbed by screens and headphones. Not only alienated from our country’s great landscapes, but from each other as well.
The Empire Builder will take you from Seattle to Chicago and then the plane to Detroit will fly at a slightly lower altitude and you'll get to see a Great Lake or two. The windowshade people have flown so much that it's lost its excitement. I lower my shade and work at my laptop.
When I had a job and funds, I would take the Empire Builder to a skiing resort in Montana. The scenery is beautiful, but beyond that, you can meet so many interesting people! I offered my upper bunk to a fellow from Siberia once so he could sleep well. He'll may still be praising how friendly Americans are. Chance meetings can make friends.
'Tis all true. We now reach out for help when needing, having determined we are unable without dangerous risk. "So it goes," wrote Vonnegut many years ago and true it still is, like it or not....some unable period, and others who might as well be. Who wants to get smacked by a heavy valise. You still spread the stories and songs to halls well-filled, and likely like me at 85 this weekend, we fake it when we're stuck. A song gets us out of anything. And we octogenarians will sing with you if we can. How about a new ballad for your shows, one called "So It Goes!" It overflows...use it!
I really enjoy your essays, Garrison and I can understand your concern at turning 80. I was 80 once. It's very old & scary, but I got over it a long time ago.
Sorry I missed your show. We've lived downtown in Annapolis since 1976, could 'a' walked. Us 80s gotta help each other. I let others help haul my musical gear now and then.
Lovely essay...have you also noticed that ,at our age, folks hold doors for us? Please keep letting people help you, it's one of the privileges we've earned in our dotage!
Leave it to you, Garrison, to celebrate alcohol, trains, helpful transporters, aging, marriage partner, and camaraderie. Carly Simon sang, “Nobody does it better”. That certainly fits you.
Garrison is giving too much credit to the booze. I was at the Annapolis event and I can assure you he was funny; funny in the same way he was funny on Prairie Home Companion, which I always listened to while driving and cold sober. Also, before the show, I watched him arriving at the Ram's Head On Stage and he was pulling his own wheely bag.
I wish I had been there to hear his words. I “hear” his voice when I’m reading, but please, Mr. Keillor, make an audio version of your columns!! Even just once in a while!
At age of 91, I have started to accept some assistance, but generly refuse such. As I age, I appreciate such help, but only when really needed. I try to be independent, for it gives me confidence. I enjoy you comments. As a life long Minnesotan, I well remember you first broadcasts. I have attend 10 or 12 of your shows and one man presentations. Do one back in the Twin Cities again,. that would be well appraicated by many.
Found myself in song despite my best efforts not to, but the crowd enthusiasm was contagious and I remembered far more lyrics than could have been imagined. Moreover, the last time I heard "see a man about a horse" was from my mid-Michigan Swedish father in the 70s, but there it was during intermission at the Annapolis Rams Head Tavern performance. GK did seem to enjoy the crowd.
GK, I'm with you. I love train travel and have experienced some excellent moments while on the rails. Too cramped? Why it's just the opposite, and if you afford a room, the food is quite good. If you and I meet somewhere rolling across the country someday we can have a good talk.
Many a time in my life I have messed up a job, broken something, fallen short of a goal because of of the foolish belief that could and should be able to manage by myself.
I raise my glass to you GK... and to acceptance
When I read your musings each morning, I “hear” your voice and humor so clearly. It reminds me of the old Friday radio shows and your monologues! While I love the read, I love to hear your voice. Have you considered adding audio to these Comments. I’d love to share them with my visually challenged husband in your voice!
You'll find some podcasts included in the SubStack page.
“Accept help” is officially written on the list of things to do gracefully as I age. Thank you for the look ahead and the advice.
Sounds like your Annapolis (the capitol of my home state) adventure was worth the trip and I very much wish I could have been a bar patron that night. I miss sing alongs!
Could not agree more regarding your perspective of this country and am relying on my Lutheran optimism as I hope the citizenry makes a good choice for our next leader. That means NO DO OVERS for the current or previous holder of the job.
All the best to you!
A Republican and a sinner. ;)
Two weeks ago my beloved wife and I flew from Seattle to Detroit on a perfectly clear day. I had an aisle seat and she was in the middle. About ⅔ of the window-seat passengers, upon taking their seats, immediately closed their window shades and kept them closed until we landed 4.5 hours later. They did not see the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, the deserts, the forest, the fields, the Great Lakes---No sense of wonder or awe. Very sad. As for my wife and me, we were over a wing.
I’ve had the same experience on flights. Sad to see how incurious passengers seem to be. I remember when pilots used to point out notable features on the ground during a flight. Now they seem continually absorbed by screens and headphones. Not only alienated from our country’s great landscapes, but from each other as well.
The Empire Builder will take you from Seattle to Chicago and then the plane to Detroit will fly at a slightly lower altitude and you'll get to see a Great Lake or two. The windowshade people have flown so much that it's lost its excitement. I lower my shade and work at my laptop.
When I had a job and funds, I would take the Empire Builder to a skiing resort in Montana. The scenery is beautiful, but beyond that, you can meet so many interesting people! I offered my upper bunk to a fellow from Siberia once so he could sleep well. He'll may still be praising how friendly Americans are. Chance meetings can make friends.
'Tis all true. We now reach out for help when needing, having determined we are unable without dangerous risk. "So it goes," wrote Vonnegut many years ago and true it still is, like it or not....some unable period, and others who might as well be. Who wants to get smacked by a heavy valise. You still spread the stories and songs to halls well-filled, and likely like me at 85 this weekend, we fake it when we're stuck. A song gets us out of anything. And we octogenarians will sing with you if we can. How about a new ballad for your shows, one called "So It Goes!" It overflows...use it!
So enjoyed your acceptance of help in travel, celebration of trains, and working thru panic in your entertaining - your forte.
Thanks to GK at his best!
I really enjoy your essays, Garrison and I can understand your concern at turning 80. I was 80 once. It's very old & scary, but I got over it a long time ago.
Gene Newman
Sorry I missed your show. We've lived downtown in Annapolis since 1976, could 'a' walked. Us 80s gotta help each other. I let others help haul my musical gear now and then.
Dick S.
Lovely essay...have you also noticed that ,at our age, folks hold doors for us? Please keep letting people help you, it's one of the privileges we've earned in our dotage!
Yes and they offer seats on buses and trains. Very welcome.
Trains. They’re good for what ails you.
Leave it to you, Garrison, to celebrate alcohol, trains, helpful transporters, aging, marriage partner, and camaraderie. Carly Simon sang, “Nobody does it better”. That certainly fits you.
Garrison is giving too much credit to the booze. I was at the Annapolis event and I can assure you he was funny; funny in the same way he was funny on Prairie Home Companion, which I always listened to while driving and cold sober. Also, before the show, I watched him arriving at the Ram's Head On Stage and he was pulling his own wheely bag.
I wish I had been there to hear his words. I “hear” his voice when I’m reading, but please, Mr. Keillor, make an audio version of your columns!! Even just once in a while!
At age of 91, I have started to accept some assistance, but generly refuse such. As I age, I appreciate such help, but only when really needed. I try to be independent, for it gives me confidence. I enjoy you comments. As a life long Minnesotan, I well remember you first broadcasts. I have attend 10 or 12 of your shows and one man presentations. Do one back in the Twin Cities again,. that would be well appraicated by many.
Found myself in song despite my best efforts not to, but the crowd enthusiasm was contagious and I remembered far more lyrics than could have been imagined. Moreover, the last time I heard "see a man about a horse" was from my mid-Michigan Swedish father in the 70s, but there it was during intermission at the Annapolis Rams Head Tavern performance. GK did seem to enjoy the crowd.
GK, I'm with you. I love train travel and have experienced some excellent moments while on the rails. Too cramped? Why it's just the opposite, and if you afford a room, the food is quite good. If you and I meet somewhere rolling across the country someday we can have a good talk.