14 Comments

GK, you have provided a worthwhile forum for people to connect not only with you, but with the rest of us. It’s comforting to know that no matter what we did, or where we lived, we were influenced and comforted by your stories. Patricia and Peter, your heartfelt and truthful comments were lovely.

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Good fortune landed a front row, center seat in the orchestra pit for the Wabash IN, Honeywell Arts theater 29Nov2023. A half decade older than you, I've always enjoyed 'younger' performers, . Naturally my attention was directed to, who else, Heather Masse, even though you butted in, on cue, as a very timely, skilled vaudevillian. You are good and certain to be discovered some day.

I noted your reliance, for balance, on the 6' high (microphone) quad cane. You came close to a dive into the infinity pool of hoosier obesity. Skilled in emergency care, I am equipped to handle pratfalls. What I am not is the county coroner, nor the local priest assigned to deliver the last rite. Right there dreaming about the moonlight on the banks of the Wabash. Longing.

Heather was stunning, the beautiful red silky gown, saving you with her smile. I found her vocal talent exhilarating, from deep in the limbic system in the lower cortex, so I offer a limerick for you, GK.

When a snicker becomes a chortle,

we smile as if immortal,

so before Indiana's last dance,

hitch up those unbelted pants,

once you enter God's transfer portal

Sorry Heather, you too Jenny, someone had to tell him.

Charles Spiher

Indiana, Arizona, Michigan

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I've lost weight lately and my new suit is now suddenly a little loose on me so I had to hoist up the pants now and then. But I'm glad you enjoyed Heather's singing despite the distraction. And what about that little polka with the twirl? Not bad.

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Two thumbs up, the polka, a showstopper : the ♀♀♀ in the audience captured the romantic essence of sassafras tea (Lawrence Welk) with a twist of lime (Fred Astaire) while the ♂♂♂ , in awe, witnessed the ethereal grace of Heather Masse (Ginger Rogers). Fifteen seconds of joy, maestro Richard Dworsky (Jerry Lee Lewis) at the piano...goodness gracious great balls of ......

Now for a ...?... GK limerick, please. Chas

I'd like to add a photo (safe to open, not vulgar),

however, with not enough computer savvy to leap over the firewall or copyright rules;

https://photos.com/featured/fred-astaire-and-ginger-rogers-dancing-bettmann.html

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Hi Garrison, We have been watching reruns of Northern Exposure which features characters from a small (imaginary) town in Alaska. It occurred to us that Lake Wobegon would also make an interesting TV (or Netflix) series. Has anyone pitched that idea to you? David Brooks has suggested that there is a deep longing in America for human scale communities. Have you two had lunch together?

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I keep thinking someone ought to do what you suggest but then I go back to doing what I do which is to write on impulse, no deadline, no big ambitions. Maybe next year.

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Dear Garrison,

I've been a fan for many years. I was in the crowd at Red Butte Garden that didn't leave when it rained, and I caught the one man show you did at Kingsbury Hall years later.

There was a "News from L.W." that you did decades before those that was the most moving bit for me about the pig slaughter and being brought up short for the youngster's lack of respect for what the animals were giving us. I was wondering if that episode ever made it to a collection because I'd like to have it in my library.

Thank you for for all the years of good work.

Albert Cristy

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I think Pig Slaughter was included in a collection. I'll check on that.

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That's one of my favorites, too. It's from the "News From Lake Wobegon" 4 CD set and also on the 25th Anniversary set. Given title is "Hog Slaughter." Also from the 1982 Archive Collection, October 9. But not that I'm a collector or anything.

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Thanks Scott I'll see about getting those CD's

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Dec 6, 2023·edited Dec 6, 2023

You can also download that 1982 archive for $10 from this site. It's a great collection!

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I am not receiving posts that were comped to me

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Hello Mr. Keillor (or Gary, as I believe you were christened). I am an old man of 77 who loves your constant reminders that you are slightly more geriatric than myself.

I am writing to tell you that I am recording for Librivox "The Book of Guys" that you published 30 years ago. My voice has deepened and is actually richer and more expressive than ever, so now is the perfect time, and these humorous stories are just right. For some reason, I put on a southern accent when narrating them, especially Lonesome Shorty.

p.s. - Your skit scripts, national treasure that they are, evoke my opinion that the term "skit scripts" is a candidate to replace "toy boat" as the most difficult short tongue-twister. Go ahead, say it 3 times rapidly.

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