53 Comments

Good luck Gary! I've been in a similar place and it's pretty much hell on earth-- a little earlier than we generally expect. OK now thank heaven. I think. Anyway, wishing you well- hate to think of anyone in that fix. Glad you have a wife and big network to wish you well and send a check now and then.

Re Washington, teeth, Cornwallis, Yorktown and so forth: without the French (such as Louis 16, Franklins' diplomacy, Lafayette, etc) they didn't have a chance of winning at Yorktown. The French fleet bottled up the British so they couldn't get away, and the French army (not to mention tons of cash- which caused the French revolution- govt to go bankrupt and Louis losing his head, by the way) also helped give Washington the courage to stand and fight. Not that the US wasn't brave and the Big Guy brave, and all that stuff. They were. Amazingly so. But no French, no revolution. So........ just thought I'd mention it for the next letter. You can make a retraction or amendment or whatever you have to do. In any case, take your time, keep the faith, ask the French -- Washington did-- for some help (cheese, champagne, goose liver, women, whatever) and get well! One foot in front of the other, just keep it up, with faith.

You can do it, you've done it before. Many happy memories of 30-40? years of great shows- don't want them to stop!

Best-- Ted

Expand full comment

Autumn is invigorating. Too much warmth and sunshine in the summer induces lethargy. I spend my days searching for shade and breezes. A crisp chill in October and I feel I could do quantum physics. I’ve never even taken calculus and Hawkingsian illusions swamp me when the leaves turn. The catch, as you noted with Washington, is following through. This column is proof positive that you, sir, have excellent follow through, and rule the mound.

Expand full comment

March bravely on, dear, dear man, one step at a time. I am praying for your complete healing. Your wonderful sense of humor has helped me do the same when I've been down for the count, several times.

Expand full comment

I'm not a historian so don't know if your history is correct but I do know enjoy the humor and the lessons. My best to you and my sympathies to your wife.

Expand full comment

Yes. All it takes is a pen to sign a document. Let’s all get together and make sure it’s signed and have our independence again!

Wishing you well, Mr. Keillor. You bring much goodness to the world. We need you, and we love you

dearly.

Expand full comment

I bet you got a lot of folks out here who would be your cut man. I'd do it, for sure.

Expand full comment

Mr. Keillor you are a gem. My late husband and I used to listen to PHC while sailing the Chesapeake Bay. Such a joy that was. I'm going to be 89 in the lovely month of October and until you live in an Episcopal Retirement Home you ain't seen nothin' yet. Walkers, canes, electric wheelchairs. A retired Episcopal priest friend of mine here said: "Tally, we come here to die." Well, whoa Nellie. I'm not ready to take the ferry yet and I wish you a quick recovery from you ordeal. My very best wishes. Tally

(The Rev. Doctor) How's that for a title?

Expand full comment

Your words made me shiver just thinking about what might happen to our country.

Expand full comment

Hang in there. Life changes once you celebrate the big 70 s. But we go on, we don t give up , nor give in It s a battle field out there . But , as the song goes, “ Mama said there d be days like these”….

Wish you a quick recovery. Still think of your Sag Harbor show this year. You were at your best! We need you and your optimism.

My hubby of 53 years will be 80 tomorrow. He plays tennis and spins ….We just got back from a vacation Burgundy where people our age walk, eat good food , drink and are rarely fat. Life is good Garrison, get well

Susanna from New York

Expand full comment

Heartening words, Mr. Keillor.

And it’s kind of amazing that someone important likes average Americans.

To paraphrase John Updike …

Have you ever smoked a Pall Mall cigarette at a lunch counter? Or bought a hotdog and a Bud Light at Fenway, or a Twins game?

Don’t read your clippings, America. You’re the only country.

Expand full comment

Thanks, as always for our honesty, humor and tenacity. I spent the entire summer recovering from three surgeries and fighting an infection with self administered antibiotics pushed into a PICC line every eight hours. It was exhausting, but I am so grateful for the doctors, nurses, scientists who saved my life. Hang in there, and yes, we need everyone to think carefully about our country and our priorities as a people and vote! vote! vote! in November.

Expand full comment

keep up the good work garrison and yes you are right - the body knows how to heal and will do so given half a chance / it is a miraculous and wondrous thing - almost worth getting sick for but not quite

Expand full comment

You are bouncing back and October will rock!

I am a little disturbed thinking about Washington’s slaves feeding him like a baby bird. But, you’re right. We don’t know the facts.

It was a time before the electric blender.

I’m sure it wasn’t his idea. Doctor’s orders.

Poor guy didn’t even get to enjoy the flavor. It must have been like living on hospital food.

I would have done this for him gladly as my patriotic duty and shed a few pounds in the process! A win/win.

Expand full comment

Say "Thank you!! to the horseshoe crab and make a donation to your local littoral organization.

Expand full comment

Dear Mr. Keillor, I am sorry to hear about your recent setback but I admire your spunk and am quite convinced you will soon be on your feet again. Your mind is still fit as a fiddle, no setback there !

Sincerely, J. Poncelet

Expand full comment

I read somewhere that people who've had heart surgery frequntly suffer a limited period of depression. Nobody knows why.

Expand full comment