I can’t wait to read Cheerfulness. I feel as though our writing takes us on a journey but our writing is also reflective of our journey. Each one of my books feels like a symbol of one phase of my life, even though the books, all fiction, have nothing to do with my personal story. It’s so wonderful to know that at 80, you’re still growing and evolving and writing about it.
Wow! I thought I knew G K . (40 years of talking back, conversationally, to the car radio will do that.) I love the new aspects. When I caught you at Meadowbrook, in Gilford /Laconia, N H , there was a young fellow (teen) walking around onstage. I wonder who he might have been:?
You are the "Johnny Appleseed" of stories and songs that lift the souls of us all. You are given great powers of story-telling that bring our memories and tears together, and cleans the core of our souls. Pray keep telling those stories and singing those hymns that bring us closer my God to thee and me.
Now, if only we could love one another enough to forgive each other, as we are forgiven. Reach out, regardless! Amen.
Congratulations on the paperback edition of “That Time of Year”.
With regards to the new material, will there be a new edition/version of the audiobook of TToY contains this material?
I love the books, of course, but there really is nothing quite like hearing them read in that old-friend-of-a-voice that I’ve known all these years.
Over the last few months, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to TToY. And, especially “Serenity at 70, Gaiety at 80” (in no small part, no double that I’m now in the book’s eponymous target audience). I should send you a dime for each time listening to it has helped make a sleepless late night more passable.
(Speaking of audiobooks, I’ll mention one small disappointment. My favorite of all your book is “Wobegon Boy” --if for no other reason than the absolutely spot-on perfect description of returning home for a small town midwestern funeral. But, that said, it’s unfortunate that the audiobook is an abridgment.)
I must say that is the first time I have ever seen you with a beard, truly " a face for radio" as the saying goes. Thankfully the "Voice" carried you through. I honestly believe I could listen to you reading my bank statement back to me!
Thank you for the link to the wonderful choir. I used to sing that song until the eating and drinking part became just too too. Not to mention my church’s sexism et al. Good to hear that chorus again, though. And your niece is right on hilarious. Adversity brings the funny. Don’t get too comfy in your condo!
I love to see you list Charles Portis as somebody you liked to read in your past. True Grit. Norwood. The Dog of the South. All wonderful novels. It occurs to me that Portis and Cormac McCarthy share a few qualities.
Charles Portis is one of many Arkansans we can be proud of ... and who unfortunately are often eclipsed in public consciousness by the ones we are not proud of. Thank you Mr. Alexie for reminding me that for every shameful thing there is usually the exact opposite. Best wishes, a proud resident of Arkansas.
"I Am the Bread of Life" always chokes me up too, GK. Hearing it takes me back to August 1973 when we buried my oldest brother, Mike. I couldn't make it through the hymn then without tearing up, and I still can't. Another favorite that always gets to me is "Be Not Afraid" (also played at Mike's funeral). So hopeful and inspiring, it's always been a source of strength for me. Hope it does something for you as well. Peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snmwD6d9Xo4
I am curious about the title of your memoire, and always assumed it was the first few words of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73: “That time of year thou mayest in me behold ...”. Have I assumed correctly? I know Kate Wilhelm used it too for “Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang’ and that title took me to the sonnet, which is probably my favorite (I don’t know many). I will indulge in a reading marathon soon of that and the two newer books; I should have read it sooner but it seems to migrate from top to bottom of the pile of books next to my bed. I will remedy that! Thank you for so many wonderful hours of stories and music and jokes and The Cafe Boeuf in particular. ❤️
I can’t wait to read Cheerfulness. I feel as though our writing takes us on a journey but our writing is also reflective of our journey. Each one of my books feels like a symbol of one phase of my life, even though the books, all fiction, have nothing to do with my personal story. It’s so wonderful to know that at 80, you’re still growing and evolving and writing about it.
Wow! I thought I knew G K . (40 years of talking back, conversationally, to the car radio will do that.) I love the new aspects. When I caught you at Meadowbrook, in Gilford /Laconia, N H , there was a young fellow (teen) walking around onstage. I wonder who he might have been:?
You are the "Johnny Appleseed" of stories and songs that lift the souls of us all. You are given great powers of story-telling that bring our memories and tears together, and cleans the core of our souls. Pray keep telling those stories and singing those hymns that bring us closer my God to thee and me.
Now, if only we could love one another enough to forgive each other, as we are forgiven. Reach out, regardless! Amen.
Congratulations on the paperback edition of “That Time of Year”.
With regards to the new material, will there be a new edition/version of the audiobook of TToY contains this material?
I love the books, of course, but there really is nothing quite like hearing them read in that old-friend-of-a-voice that I’ve known all these years.
Over the last few months, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to TToY. And, especially “Serenity at 70, Gaiety at 80” (in no small part, no double that I’m now in the book’s eponymous target audience). I should send you a dime for each time listening to it has helped make a sleepless late night more passable.
(Speaking of audiobooks, I’ll mention one small disappointment. My favorite of all your book is “Wobegon Boy” --if for no other reason than the absolutely spot-on perfect description of returning home for a small town midwestern funeral. But, that said, it’s unfortunate that the audiobook is an abridgment.)
“no double” ==> “no doubt”
I must say that is the first time I have ever seen you with a beard, truly " a face for radio" as the saying goes. Thankfully the "Voice" carried you through. I honestly believe I could listen to you reading my bank statement back to me!
Thank you for the link to the wonderful choir. I used to sing that song until the eating and drinking part became just too too. Not to mention my church’s sexism et al. Good to hear that chorus again, though. And your niece is right on hilarious. Adversity brings the funny. Don’t get too comfy in your condo!
I love to see you list Charles Portis as somebody you liked to read in your past. True Grit. Norwood. The Dog of the South. All wonderful novels. It occurs to me that Portis and Cormac McCarthy share a few qualities.
Charles Portis is one of many Arkansans we can be proud of ... and who unfortunately are often eclipsed in public consciousness by the ones we are not proud of. Thank you Mr. Alexie for reminding me that for every shameful thing there is usually the exact opposite. Best wishes, a proud resident of Arkansas.
Thank you, Christine.
"I Am the Bread of Life" always chokes me up too, GK. Hearing it takes me back to August 1973 when we buried my oldest brother, Mike. I couldn't make it through the hymn then without tearing up, and I still can't. Another favorite that always gets to me is "Be Not Afraid" (also played at Mike's funeral). So hopeful and inspiring, it's always been a source of strength for me. Hope it does something for you as well. Peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snmwD6d9Xo4
I am curious about the title of your memoire, and always assumed it was the first few words of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73: “That time of year thou mayest in me behold ...”. Have I assumed correctly? I know Kate Wilhelm used it too for “Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang’ and that title took me to the sonnet, which is probably my favorite (I don’t know many). I will indulge in a reading marathon soon of that and the two newer books; I should have read it sooner but it seems to migrate from top to bottom of the pile of books next to my bed. I will remedy that! Thank you for so many wonderful hours of stories and music and jokes and The Cafe Boeuf in particular. ❤️