Your standing on the sidewalk and having the illumination that "these were friends" reminded me of Thomas Merton's revelation on the corner of 4th and Walnut in Louisville, that we are all one. He said, "...It was such a relief, and such a joy, that I almost laughed out loud."
This edition of “Post to the Host” is really special! The range of people who wrote heartfelt letters to you and your gentle, honest responses are an eloquent testament of why you are so deeply valued. As a fan of yours for more than half of my life, I’m so honored to be considered a friend!
Although you have “metamorphed” into a big city guy, reveling in the activities offered in the “Big Apple”, while retaining sufficient anonymity. Huzzah! However, you must miss the joys of small town Minnesota July festivals. I’m talking about the Anoka 4th of July parade, the Coon Rapids Carnival and Vendor Bazaar, Chanhassen’s American Bootleg and the “not to be missed” my former hometown’s Lakeville Pan-O-Prog (Short for panorama of progress, if you haven’t already guessed-which you did). This year’s events include: Junior Royalty, Pickleball, Miss Lakeville Scholarships, Baby Crawl-A-Thon, Euchre tournament, Ice Cream social, Pet show, Pedal Tractor Pull, Brats & Bingo and more! Sadly, my favorite event, the Cow Chip Distance Throwing contest is no longer held. Bovine protests? This event required great skill, not only the frisbee-like throwing of the chip but, most importantly, cow chip selection. Should you ever decide to enter, select a chip that is dry but with substance, sufficiently firm, easily grasped and as aerodynamically shaped as possible. That and a strong arm will win you the trophy … a plaque bearing your name embedded in a varnished, laminated cow chip. Perhaps that’s why the event was discontinued. Surely, you miss those small town festivals, don't you?
They don't throw cowpies in Lake Wobegon. Farm boys may but grownups don't. There is a big 4th of July parade though and I miss it. The band on ther wagon pulled by Percherons, playing "Stars and Stripes Forever" in double time.
Oh, Dennis! And here I drove through Anoka a time or two, and never got to see a Cow Chip Distance Throwing contest! How delightful those must have been!
We "city folks" bought a ten-acre farm in Southern California. A work camp for migrant workers from Mexico was right down the hill. At the end of our work days together, we'd go down and play volleyball until it became dark. "Pega-le!" (Spike It!) was the key expression from our opposition. When I was in the front row, I'd make vigorous dives, tap the ball up to my Mexican neighbor, who would then return the ball over the net, "unearthed!" The guys would joke a bit, that "Susanna plays volleyball from the ground!" Nevertheless, it kept the scores more-or-less equal, since our team didn't have anyone wo could leap up nearly a yard to reach over the top of the net!
"Those who play together, stay together!" I think it's important for folks to find congenial ways to interact outside the working environment. I can just imagine prairie folks finding dry cow pies, and making a game of it! Thanks for broadening my horizons!
Regarding the reader who posted the link to a book she identified as "The Weaponization of Loneliness": the title and some of the comments intrigued me so I clicked on her link, went to Amazon and read the synopsis of the book and the "blurbs." The blurbs were all from people whom I would call "right-wingers" and other info. seemed to indicate the book was of that ilk. To quote Randy Newman's dear theme song for the TV show "Monk," " I could be wrong, but I don't think so."
The title and subject caught my eye because I think the notion of loneliness is often misconstrued in media and popular interpretation. The idea of "groupthink" and a kind of "hyper-tribalism" seems to me to be more dangerous to healthy individual development as well as societal well-being than the description of "loneliness."
Conformity is also interesting: opposition to conformity used to be an American 'thing.' "Fiercely independent" used to be high praise. Of course and obviously, none of us is really independent; that is impossible and supremely arrogant - but to be a genuinely individualistic person, an original? That seems a good thing - someone who would answer that reported "call" from their leader tRump to "go to the Capital" with a "NO. Not gonna do it." To be a teenager who gets the 'request' from someone on the other end of the computer to "send some photos" and say "NO. Not gonna do it." To stop deluding yourself that getting tattoos and piercings makes you "different" by looking around at every other contemporary American and seeing bodies that look like graffittied walls and noses and faces that look like hepatitis warning posters to realize that you're not "different" by following everybody else's "different" behavior. You're "different" by being your own self and, it is passionately hoped, by being a really good, decent "self!"
And about loneliness and that book title - I have long noted the media's penchant for identifying every person who does some horrific thing as a "loner." How many Americans would be described as a "loner" and what percentage of that population does a horrific thing? It used to be a feature of pioneers, explorers, adventurers that they were what would be described as "loners." That word now seems to have very menacing connotations. Maybe it's an outcome of overpopulation and constant use of "social media" (which really isn't very social, or sociable, it seems to me, given how malicious and sometimes dangerous it is) that for those who "vant to be alone" (old Garbo), they must be labeled in a way that makes them seem dangerous. Dangerous to whom? To those who are at home in group-think and conformity!
Pastor Chuck’s story about his father climbing the stepladder to help his son with the punishment he gave him of washing the mud off the school bus is an image that will shine in my mind forever. What parenting. What love. What a beautiful memory for PC and all who read it.
Until I read This Time of Year I thought the title A Prairie Home Companion was a reference to a How To book for lonely housewives living miles from anyone but their husband and children on the Dakota Prairie in the late 19th century. That still makes more sense to me than a cemetary.
"Redemption" can be a complicated issue. Once an event has happened, it has whatever consequences that naturally evolve. Whatever we think about it at some future time, "Que Sera Sera - What Will Be, Will Be."
The thing is, for me, at least, I'm "A Believer." I believe that the Good Lord is up there, watching what's going on, and pulling whatever strings He can get hold of! One memory jumps to my mind. Around the turn of the Millennium, I was driving south along California highway 101, which parallels the Pacific Ocean. I stopped for two men, an uncle and a nephew, who were hitchhiking by the roadside. When they got in, they suggested that I take the shoreline route so they could see the ocean. Soon I turned onto a crossroad to head west. The uncle, sitting beside me in the passenger seat, casually said "By the way, my nephew, right behind you, has a knife. He's really good with it! He could slit your throat at any time!" At that time, there had been newscasts about a hitchhiker who had been murdering the driver - with a knife.
You can imagine my panic! As I took the road westward, I began a running account of the many hitchhikers I had given rides to. I explained the plights they would have been in, had I not stopped for them. Inside, I felt as if I were pleading for my life.
Eventually, we came to a "T" intersection with the Pacific Coast Highway. There was a state sign indicating a path down the bluff to the beach. Suddenly the Uncle said "This will do. You can let us off here." They left, and I felt as if I had been given a reprieve! I have a definite feeling that, if The Good Lord hadn't activated those memories in that frenzied speech, I might have ended up dumped on the roadside, with the Uncle driving off and the nephew cleaning the blood off his knife!
"Redemption" is a hopeful concept, yes. But I think that sometimes the things that actually happen, such as your throwing mudballs at the school bus, might have significant functions in the life that lies ahead of you! In that incident, your Father taught you something about parental love and forgiveness. I wouldn't be surprised if, once you had children of your own, you treated your offspring with kindness and understanding, too. And here you are, an experienced parent, suggesting that option to a huge, receptive audience - as if you were speaking through a megaphone! In that respect - it was probably an excellent thing, that your youthful self threw those mudballs at that bus!
I guess what I'm saying is that preachers sometimes might get on a "Professional Trip" in which they were trying to mold their listeners' behaviors to their own perceptions. But sometimes the best learning occurs when events flow naturally. "We learn from our mistakes..." and all that! You could be sitting in church some time, and feeling that the preacher is "Loading a Guilt Trip" on you to the point that you begin to cry. But, it could be that there were times when it was actually better for you, as a human being, to have thrown those mudballs, and appreciated the love that your Father showed you in his reaction. Sometimes, there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, on some rainy days! It may seem difficult to do, but there are times it's better to be able to forgive yourself, too!
Your standing on the sidewalk and having the illumination that "these were friends" reminded me of Thomas Merton's revelation on the corner of 4th and Walnut in Louisville, that we are all one. He said, "...It was such a relief, and such a joy, that I almost laughed out loud."
This edition of “Post to the Host” is really special! The range of people who wrote heartfelt letters to you and your gentle, honest responses are an eloquent testament of why you are so deeply valued. As a fan of yours for more than half of my life, I’m so honored to be considered a friend!
Although you have “metamorphed” into a big city guy, reveling in the activities offered in the “Big Apple”, while retaining sufficient anonymity. Huzzah! However, you must miss the joys of small town Minnesota July festivals. I’m talking about the Anoka 4th of July parade, the Coon Rapids Carnival and Vendor Bazaar, Chanhassen’s American Bootleg and the “not to be missed” my former hometown’s Lakeville Pan-O-Prog (Short for panorama of progress, if you haven’t already guessed-which you did). This year’s events include: Junior Royalty, Pickleball, Miss Lakeville Scholarships, Baby Crawl-A-Thon, Euchre tournament, Ice Cream social, Pet show, Pedal Tractor Pull, Brats & Bingo and more! Sadly, my favorite event, the Cow Chip Distance Throwing contest is no longer held. Bovine protests? This event required great skill, not only the frisbee-like throwing of the chip but, most importantly, cow chip selection. Should you ever decide to enter, select a chip that is dry but with substance, sufficiently firm, easily grasped and as aerodynamically shaped as possible. That and a strong arm will win you the trophy … a plaque bearing your name embedded in a varnished, laminated cow chip. Perhaps that’s why the event was discontinued. Surely, you miss those small town festivals, don't you?
They don't throw cowpies in Lake Wobegon. Farm boys may but grownups don't. There is a big 4th of July parade though and I miss it. The band on ther wagon pulled by Percherons, playing "Stars and Stripes Forever" in double time.
Oh, Dennis! And here I drove through Anoka a time or two, and never got to see a Cow Chip Distance Throwing contest! How delightful those must have been!
We "city folks" bought a ten-acre farm in Southern California. A work camp for migrant workers from Mexico was right down the hill. At the end of our work days together, we'd go down and play volleyball until it became dark. "Pega-le!" (Spike It!) was the key expression from our opposition. When I was in the front row, I'd make vigorous dives, tap the ball up to my Mexican neighbor, who would then return the ball over the net, "unearthed!" The guys would joke a bit, that "Susanna plays volleyball from the ground!" Nevertheless, it kept the scores more-or-less equal, since our team didn't have anyone wo could leap up nearly a yard to reach over the top of the net!
"Those who play together, stay together!" I think it's important for folks to find congenial ways to interact outside the working environment. I can just imagine prairie folks finding dry cow pies, and making a game of it! Thanks for broadening my horizons!
Regarding the reader who posted the link to a book she identified as "The Weaponization of Loneliness": the title and some of the comments intrigued me so I clicked on her link, went to Amazon and read the synopsis of the book and the "blurbs." The blurbs were all from people whom I would call "right-wingers" and other info. seemed to indicate the book was of that ilk. To quote Randy Newman's dear theme song for the TV show "Monk," " I could be wrong, but I don't think so."
The title and subject caught my eye because I think the notion of loneliness is often misconstrued in media and popular interpretation. The idea of "groupthink" and a kind of "hyper-tribalism" seems to me to be more dangerous to healthy individual development as well as societal well-being than the description of "loneliness."
Conformity is also interesting: opposition to conformity used to be an American 'thing.' "Fiercely independent" used to be high praise. Of course and obviously, none of us is really independent; that is impossible and supremely arrogant - but to be a genuinely individualistic person, an original? That seems a good thing - someone who would answer that reported "call" from their leader tRump to "go to the Capital" with a "NO. Not gonna do it." To be a teenager who gets the 'request' from someone on the other end of the computer to "send some photos" and say "NO. Not gonna do it." To stop deluding yourself that getting tattoos and piercings makes you "different" by looking around at every other contemporary American and seeing bodies that look like graffittied walls and noses and faces that look like hepatitis warning posters to realize that you're not "different" by following everybody else's "different" behavior. You're "different" by being your own self and, it is passionately hoped, by being a really good, decent "self!"
And about loneliness and that book title - I have long noted the media's penchant for identifying every person who does some horrific thing as a "loner." How many Americans would be described as a "loner" and what percentage of that population does a horrific thing? It used to be a feature of pioneers, explorers, adventurers that they were what would be described as "loners." That word now seems to have very menacing connotations. Maybe it's an outcome of overpopulation and constant use of "social media" (which really isn't very social, or sociable, it seems to me, given how malicious and sometimes dangerous it is) that for those who "vant to be alone" (old Garbo), they must be labeled in a way that makes them seem dangerous. Dangerous to whom? To those who are at home in group-think and conformity!
Pastor Chuck’s father, climbing the stepladder to help in the punishment he gave his son is an image that will shine in my mind forever.
Pastor Chuck’s story about his father climbing the stepladder to help his son with the punishment he gave him of washing the mud off the school bus is an image that will shine in my mind forever. What parenting. What love. What a beautiful memory for PC and all who read it.
Until I read This Time of Year I thought the title A Prairie Home Companion was a reference to a How To book for lonely housewives living miles from anyone but their husband and children on the Dakota Prairie in the late 19th century. That still makes more sense to me than a cemetary.
"Redemption" can be a complicated issue. Once an event has happened, it has whatever consequences that naturally evolve. Whatever we think about it at some future time, "Que Sera Sera - What Will Be, Will Be."
The thing is, for me, at least, I'm "A Believer." I believe that the Good Lord is up there, watching what's going on, and pulling whatever strings He can get hold of! One memory jumps to my mind. Around the turn of the Millennium, I was driving south along California highway 101, which parallels the Pacific Ocean. I stopped for two men, an uncle and a nephew, who were hitchhiking by the roadside. When they got in, they suggested that I take the shoreline route so they could see the ocean. Soon I turned onto a crossroad to head west. The uncle, sitting beside me in the passenger seat, casually said "By the way, my nephew, right behind you, has a knife. He's really good with it! He could slit your throat at any time!" At that time, there had been newscasts about a hitchhiker who had been murdering the driver - with a knife.
You can imagine my panic! As I took the road westward, I began a running account of the many hitchhikers I had given rides to. I explained the plights they would have been in, had I not stopped for them. Inside, I felt as if I were pleading for my life.
Eventually, we came to a "T" intersection with the Pacific Coast Highway. There was a state sign indicating a path down the bluff to the beach. Suddenly the Uncle said "This will do. You can let us off here." They left, and I felt as if I had been given a reprieve! I have a definite feeling that, if The Good Lord hadn't activated those memories in that frenzied speech, I might have ended up dumped on the roadside, with the Uncle driving off and the nephew cleaning the blood off his knife!
"Redemption" is a hopeful concept, yes. But I think that sometimes the things that actually happen, such as your throwing mudballs at the school bus, might have significant functions in the life that lies ahead of you! In that incident, your Father taught you something about parental love and forgiveness. I wouldn't be surprised if, once you had children of your own, you treated your offspring with kindness and understanding, too. And here you are, an experienced parent, suggesting that option to a huge, receptive audience - as if you were speaking through a megaphone! In that respect - it was probably an excellent thing, that your youthful self threw those mudballs at that bus!
I guess what I'm saying is that preachers sometimes might get on a "Professional Trip" in which they were trying to mold their listeners' behaviors to their own perceptions. But sometimes the best learning occurs when events flow naturally. "We learn from our mistakes..." and all that! You could be sitting in church some time, and feeling that the preacher is "Loading a Guilt Trip" on you to the point that you begin to cry. But, it could be that there were times when it was actually better for you, as a human being, to have thrown those mudballs, and appreciated the love that your Father showed you in his reaction. Sometimes, there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, on some rainy days! It may seem difficult to do, but there are times it's better to be able to forgive yourself, too!