Please, you have to stay around at least long enough to see this world turn around from the horrible direction it has been moving toward. I know you would like that.
Lots of frozen peas ice packs (left eye, right eye, left eye all day long) the first few days and recovery will be quick without black eyes😳. Have a book or solitaire game handy. Afterwards you won't be bumping into so many cupboards and refrigerator doors!
Garrison, I had made it to 71 without ever having been in the hospital, ever having broken a bone and the only stitches I'd ever had was one in a pulled tooth. Now, I am dealing with something quite serious, have had my first ever surgery and overnight hospital stay. And that was the easy part. But yes, modern medicine is a miracle (Let's hope that holds true in my case.) and and kindness from those in whom we put our trust is nearly as important, I'm finding, as competence from those in whom we hand over our bodies.
And while I understand your wishes to avoid a "dumb" death, I take issue with the scenario you pose. Are you not always talking about the kindness of New Yorkers and your encounters therein here on our beloved Upper West Side? That delivery person would stop, call 911 and wait with you, along with other strangers trying to make you comfortable until the paramedics arrived. Even in fantasy, don't stop relying on the kindness of strangers, please. Now, more than ever, we all need to look out for each other.
Well, yes... The delivery person would call 911, and then he would pull out the plastic spoons that he had rattling around in his bag and give them to the first five lucky bystanders. Because they are civilized beings, they would not just lick the sauce from your face and suit, they would use spoons.... saving none for the paramedics.
You're forgetting for a moment that, in addition to being an accomplished humorist, noted limericist, and willing close-harmony accompanist, GK is a committed dramatist. And, as they say down at the writers' workshop, dramatist gonna dramatize.
Following your words and thoughts is a magic carpet ride. Always something in your posts to put a smile on my face and heart. Although we can't go back and change the beginning of life's events, we can start where we are and change the ending.
"Tennessee Williams said, 'I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.'” But, did he really? Or was it just Blanche DuBois who said it? It's an interesting, if pedantic, question whether the character's words can be equated with the author's thoughts. Or, I suppose one could just say, "Tennessee Williams wrote . . . ." Would the same anonymous one write, "William Faulkner said, 'My mother is a fish'"?
You are right. Technically, Blanche DuBois said the words Tennessee Williams wrote, but seriously? In the presence of a brilliant stream of thought, you land on that? I strongly recommend eating a large serving of orecchiette alla barese with sausage and broccoli, tomato sauce, garlic, and parmesan. You'll feel ever so much better, having slipped right past your predeliction for the pedantic and directly into the realm of the divine.
Oh, you are of course correct that the essay as a whole is quite lovely and inspiring, but I don't see any reason why that precludes noticing an interesting turn of phrase that piques some further thought.
In your defense, you're doing better here than you were a few days ago when you couldn't seem to comprehend that "paying customers" aren't under attack when a humorist's words happen to remind them that they voted for a lying, criminal, authoritarian asshole for president. Nevertheless, I agree with Elizabeth Kaeton.
I have a doctor’s appointment today— thank you for this. No death by pasta, I join you in that prayer. Thinking on the stuff holding our bodies together, the marvel of the patience and kindness of medical folks. To die well, with maybe a last good funny story to be shared… Amen.
Thanks again for bringing a smile to this old man in the early morning hours, while things are still fairly peaceful.
I do appreciate your resilience and your wit.
I’m reminded of something my wife said, not long before she died. I was on watch from midnight to six when behind closed eyelids, talking to no one I could see, she said, “I see stars!” (Pause) “So beautiful.” (Long pause) “Now I understand.” (Very long pause) “Humor is helpful.”
See? You’re in good company!
And as we say down here in the South, “Bless your heart.” Pig valve and all. ☮️❤️🙏
We've been favored by wherever we are! No tomato paste would be one of them, but highly uncommon if we spilled it....As for our Lord's moments with us...somehow He's always with us. Amen.
How do you do this, Mr Keillor? Simultaneous gravity and levity? Both definitions of glory, at once?
I wish you had time to write a fresh paraphrase of the Bible. It would be amazing. This post is amazing. And I obviously lack the gift of words to express my experience, reading this post.
Your imagination is a beautiful thing. My Father was outdoors harvesting potatoes at 82, when his heart quit. May we all be so lucky. Surrounded by nature and working at something we love.
Please, you have to stay around at least long enough to see this world turn around from the horrible direction it has been moving toward. I know you would like that.
Oh dear, I am going to have one eye-lid surgery. Am I going to be miserable? I thought it was just an easy thing.
Not to fret. Men have less tolerance for pain and discomfort. Good luck, nonetheless. 🙏
Thanks, Claire.
Claire is right. You'll be okay.
Thank you very much. I do love to read your column.
How do I post a comment? I poured my heart out to you and couldn’t find how to post this!
Lots of frozen peas ice packs (left eye, right eye, left eye all day long) the first few days and recovery will be quick without black eyes😳. Have a book or solitaire game handy. Afterwards you won't be bumping into so many cupboards and refrigerator doors!
thanks David
Cold packs did nothing for me. But sympathy is good up to a point.
Garrison, I had made it to 71 without ever having been in the hospital, ever having broken a bone and the only stitches I'd ever had was one in a pulled tooth. Now, I am dealing with something quite serious, have had my first ever surgery and overnight hospital stay. And that was the easy part. But yes, modern medicine is a miracle (Let's hope that holds true in my case.) and and kindness from those in whom we put our trust is nearly as important, I'm finding, as competence from those in whom we hand over our bodies.
And while I understand your wishes to avoid a "dumb" death, I take issue with the scenario you pose. Are you not always talking about the kindness of New Yorkers and your encounters therein here on our beloved Upper West Side? That delivery person would stop, call 911 and wait with you, along with other strangers trying to make you comfortable until the paramedics arrived. Even in fantasy, don't stop relying on the kindness of strangers, please. Now, more than ever, we all need to look out for each other.
Well, yes... The delivery person would call 911, and then he would pull out the plastic spoons that he had rattling around in his bag and give them to the first five lucky bystanders. Because they are civilized beings, they would not just lick the sauce from your face and suit, they would use spoons.... saving none for the paramedics.
Deirdre that is just weird.
You're forgetting for a moment that, in addition to being an accomplished humorist, noted limericist, and willing close-harmony accompanist, GK is a committed dramatist. And, as they say down at the writers' workshop, dramatist gonna dramatize.
Following your words and thoughts is a magic carpet ride. Always something in your posts to put a smile on my face and heart. Although we can't go back and change the beginning of life's events, we can start where we are and change the ending.
"Tennessee Williams said, 'I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.'” But, did he really? Or was it just Blanche DuBois who said it? It's an interesting, if pedantic, question whether the character's words can be equated with the author's thoughts. Or, I suppose one could just say, "Tennessee Williams wrote . . . ." Would the same anonymous one write, "William Faulkner said, 'My mother is a fish'"?
You are right. Technically, Blanche DuBois said the words Tennessee Williams wrote, but seriously? In the presence of a brilliant stream of thought, you land on that? I strongly recommend eating a large serving of orecchiette alla barese with sausage and broccoli, tomato sauce, garlic, and parmesan. You'll feel ever so much better, having slipped right past your predeliction for the pedantic and directly into the realm of the divine.
Oh, you are of course correct that the essay as a whole is quite lovely and inspiring, but I don't see any reason why that precludes noticing an interesting turn of phrase that piques some further thought.
Of course you don't. Carry on. And, don't forget to order that pasta.
In your defense, you're doing better here than you were a few days ago when you couldn't seem to comprehend that "paying customers" aren't under attack when a humorist's words happen to remind them that they voted for a lying, criminal, authoritarian asshole for president. Nevertheless, I agree with Elizabeth Kaeton.
I have a doctor’s appointment today— thank you for this. No death by pasta, I join you in that prayer. Thinking on the stuff holding our bodies together, the marvel of the patience and kindness of medical folks. To die well, with maybe a last good funny story to be shared… Amen.
It's essays like this that make me realize just how much I missed you whilst you were doing penance. I'm so glad you're back.
We old fundies were brought up to be penitent. I feel responsible for every cloudy day, even if it's a small cloud.
I see your old fundie and raise you one Roman Catholic childhood.
We old Lutherans too. 😉
"Let me finish up today in good style and then we’ll talk about tomorrow." Jesus suggests we say it this way..."Give us this day, our daily bread".
ah, lovely that the words kinda jive.
Thanks again for bringing a smile to this old man in the early morning hours, while things are still fairly peaceful.
I do appreciate your resilience and your wit.
I’m reminded of something my wife said, not long before she died. I was on watch from midnight to six when behind closed eyelids, talking to no one I could see, she said, “I see stars!” (Pause) “So beautiful.” (Long pause) “Now I understand.” (Very long pause) “Humor is helpful.”
See? You’re in good company!
And as we say down here in the South, “Bless your heart.” Pig valve and all. ☮️❤️🙏
Ah, beautifully said. And bless your heart thoroughly.
We've been favored by wherever we are! No tomato paste would be one of them, but highly uncommon if we spilled it....As for our Lord's moments with us...somehow He's always with us. Amen.
How do you do this, Mr Keillor? Simultaneous gravity and levity? Both definitions of glory, at once?
I wish you had time to write a fresh paraphrase of the Bible. It would be amazing. This post is amazing. And I obviously lack the gift of words to express my experience, reading this post.
I'm grateful for your generosity.
Blessings.
Mortality seems to be on your mind, as of late.
I am reminded of a line in a Lyle Lovett song-he’s singing about attending a funeral:
🎶He’s swimming through that Jordan going to the other side. But if it’s all the same to you, Lord, I think I’ll stay dry.🎶
Love you always. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for starting my day off with a bunch of smiles. Sending my love to you with my kisses on the wind.
Oh, the pastabilities.
Your imagination is a beautiful thing. My Father was outdoors harvesting potatoes at 82, when his heart quit. May we all be so lucky. Surrounded by nature and working at something we love.