They found Archie Bunker's jacket from "All In The Family" in an estate sale and nobody initially realized what it was. I hope your stuff will not be overlooked like that.
Mr. Lundy, please keep in mind that even if "nearly half the country" are weaponizing their religion and letting their racist fears run riot, that still leaves MORE than half the country-folk to promote kindness and love for their fellow humans. I still have hope. Good luck to you.
This is edgy. I must have missed the reference about "Jesus laughed." There seems to be some question in the host. I have always considered the "Lord's prayer" (Our Father) to be read as Jesus' little joke. (and lead us not into temptation, indeed.)
Mr. Keillor, students are already reading (and writing papers about!) your books in University classes. Check out this award winning honors thesis by Lisa Jayne Tomasetti of Colby College: "Garrison Keillor: Growing Up and Growing Old in America. Finding a Cultural Bridge to the Past." Your archives are important, people take your view of the world seriously. And people like me are still having a lot of fun reading your novels. I was also upset to read that you threw out all your papers - I'm very relieved to hear that you were joking!
Hello Garrison from out in Oregon. Since it is time to think of archiving, I have an opinion and a fervent hope. I believe that your scripts of, and the subsequent performance of, skits and ought-to-be-real sponsors are a special treasure from the years of Prairie Home Companion. I believe, in fact, that they are an American treasure worthy of being stored in the Smithsonian or the Library of Congress. Whenever I've seen the show being filmed, I notice that these scripts are thrown to the floor. If they still exist, I hope that someone can ensure that they are separated and organized as a discreet entity within the greater archive. As a youngster of only 77, I would be more than willing to assist in this endeavor, since organizing is my particular specialty, and I seem to have a few good years left in me.
Just another thought to throw in with the dozens of others you are dealing with right now.
Some eight or ten years ago at your three-day celebration of PHC at a collage I don't remember the name, during an off show gathering I had the pleasure of speaking to you on microphone and said, "there are three persons I truly admire, Paul Harvey, Charles Kuralt, and Garrison Keillor. That has not changed. Love ya Garrison.
As always- most of your responses are sage. But I particularly liked the one on grief. I have found that listening to the grieving seems to be a powerful medicine for them. They seem to need an ear and an understanding that it will never be yesterday again, but remembering will never stop and it is not only okay to remember, but necessary. Say little, if anything. But let them know you are there and you care.
Your response to Dennis Carver brings to my mind a passage from another of my favorite writers, Wendell Berry. (Many folks know Berry as an essayist and poet, but I am great fan of his fiction, particularly his wonderful short stories set in Port William, Kentucky. Highly recommended to all.)
Anyway, someone asks the old guy how he’s been feeling and he replies:
“Well, the parts that used to be limber are now stiff; and the parts that use to be stiff are now limber. Know what I mean?”
Off to make tomato soup and bake bread (for the accompanying grilled cheese sandwiches) for supper this evening,
I’m a little late with this, but of course Jesus laughed. There are paintings of him laughing heartily. To say otherwise is to deny his full humanity, which is a heresy that actually has a name — Docetism. I think to make people laugh is to bless them.
I have to admit how much I've had to rediscover tolerance by reading these posts. A few months back some of the readers' observations could put me in an awful mood and I'd retaliate, I thought fairly, by an unkind jab or left-handed compliment. But it is GK's consistent optimism overall that has won me over. I've grown to accept the angry zingers at the republicans, and the woeful miseries endured by readers like Mr. Ted L. of Texas today, who finds time to denigrate an entire half of our country while college kids from his apparent political persuasion scream epithets calling for ethnic cleansing. Oh well.
I am buoyed by Levi, for instance, who seems so blessed and grateful at the young age of 34 for the comforts of home and family, and Mavis, who dotes on a nephew's job search while bringing back my own memories of such travails. In fact, I still get a thrill recalling one Human Resources person asking, after the mandatory, "What are the good qualities you'd bring to this job?" the inevitable follow-up, "...and what are some of your not-so-great qualities?" and answering, "Well, I find that the older I get, the harder it is to metabolize alcohol at lunch."
Speaking of which, is it almost noon already? Oh my. Anyway, thank you to all the optimists out there, and Mr. Ted L. of Texas, be blessed that we live in a world where Post to the Host is still allowed. And no need to retort on who you think would be the people who'd take it away.
I believe that most people are good. Forums like this is where we can all find common ground. BTW, did you get the job? That was a pretty funny reply! 😂
Garrison, you should tell your correspondent from Cut and Shoot, Texas that you have no need to see the movie on the 1920 Osage murders, having co-narrated "The Dakota Conflict". P.S. Thought you would want to know that Wikipedia says Cut and Shoot's name came from an argument about either: The design of a new steeple for the town's only church,
The issue of who should be allowed to preach there, or
The conflicting land claims among church members. Sounds like a bunch of Santified Brethren may have gone South.
I love stories about how folks wound up in happy careers as a result of something pretty off-hand... I was invited to interview for a job in Seattle back in 1972...director of the newly-created Seattle Arts Commission. I went up stairs to the office of a local gallery-owner. I was hyped, but happy to be there and full of genuine enthusiasm for the job. The interview went on for half an hour or more and went well, I thought. The gallery-owner thanked me for coming, said the usual things about being in touch, and as I was leaving, her husband passed me on the stairs. I think we must have nodded, that was it.
Years later, after having enjoyed that job immensely, I was at a party and the gallery-owner was there and I thanked her for recommending me for the job. She said, "Oh, I suppose I can tell you now...the reason I recommended you was because my husband thought you would do very well."
And all it took was a nod.
I spent the next twenty-five years having the time of my life!
Surely you jest if you suggest that the Rhubarb sign and the Powder Milk banner are to be discarded. In all seriousness, these items should be donated to the Smithsonian.
Don't be coy. You know you are the voice of a generation and the culture of a place, the American mid-west. Living as I did in a place whose culture I never did understand, San Francisco, when APHC started, I never missed it. Yes, to be sentimental, it took me back home to the Wisconsin of my youthful experience. And I'm very grateful to you for that.
Same, I was another Wisconsin girl living in DC in the early years and gathering friends every Sat. for the next APHC (many of whom were not Midwesterners). I so wish I were talented enough to do a book about APHC.
I once had a precious ticket to your show in Mount Tabor in Parsippany, NJ, but a winter storm kept this 93-year old loyal fan from attending. Mount Tabor is atop a very small mount, more like a hillock, but that icy hillock kept me away.
I was THERE at Tanglewood that night! IT WAS MAGICAL! There were so many of us, that we, the overflow crowd, was sitting on the grass. We sang, and we sang, and we sang! I don’t think there was even one among us who wanted it to end, EVER! Once you officially called it a night, a gaggle of us lined up backstage to thank you, individually. It was in the days of my being a Girl Scout Camp Counselor, and I was wearing a white Navy sailor’s cap with the brim turned down. When it came to my turn, you reached out and touched my hat – you may not have seen it sported in that shape before.
OMG! I had a three-hour drive to return to my house in Central New York. And I can tell you, I could feel the magic of your touch for every second of it!
For you folks out there who notice that GK may be coming your way. If you’re sitting on a fence, “Should I go, or just tune in on the radio, I’d advise you “GO! The feel of the crowd, the choice of the songs to sing – the whole AMBIANCE! It’s just UPLIFTING BEYOND MEASURE!
My husband and I were at one of those wonderful Tanglewood performances and stayed late for the singing. We loved it, but were disappointed that we hadn't know enough to stay late the previous times that we went. We mainly go to the ones with opera singers since we are long-time opera fans. We have met and talked to many of the Met singers there and after their recitals. They are often available and willing to talk and sign autographs after performances and are usually happy to have pictures taken with them. If you walk around during the day, you can encounter orchestra members, soloists and other celebrities. I have talked to Garrison there and at a few other venues. Once I gave him a DVD of a video I made about our efforts to capture a feral cat who was harassing our cats, but I don't know if he ever watched it. I posted it on Facebook, minus the sound track of "Alley Cat" played by Big Tiny Little, since there was apparently a copyright violation. It's not the same without the music, but my cat-loving friends and relatives still enjoyed it.
They found Archie Bunker's jacket from "All In The Family" in an estate sale and nobody initially realized what it was. I hope your stuff will not be overlooked like that.
My jackets go to Goodwill. I see men sleeping on the subway, wearing a jacket of mine.
Mr. Lundy, please keep in mind that even if "nearly half the country" are weaponizing their religion and letting their racist fears run riot, that still leaves MORE than half the country-folk to promote kindness and love for their fellow humans. I still have hope. Good luck to you.
This is edgy. I must have missed the reference about "Jesus laughed." There seems to be some question in the host. I have always considered the "Lord's prayer" (Our Father) to be read as Jesus' little joke. (and lead us not into temptation, indeed.)
Mark Twain’s “The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg” addresses that temptation angle. 😊
Mr. Keillor, students are already reading (and writing papers about!) your books in University classes. Check out this award winning honors thesis by Lisa Jayne Tomasetti of Colby College: "Garrison Keillor: Growing Up and Growing Old in America. Finding a Cultural Bridge to the Past." Your archives are important, people take your view of the world seriously. And people like me are still having a lot of fun reading your novels. I was also upset to read that you threw out all your papers - I'm very relieved to hear that you were joking!
Hello Garrison from out in Oregon. Since it is time to think of archiving, I have an opinion and a fervent hope. I believe that your scripts of, and the subsequent performance of, skits and ought-to-be-real sponsors are a special treasure from the years of Prairie Home Companion. I believe, in fact, that they are an American treasure worthy of being stored in the Smithsonian or the Library of Congress. Whenever I've seen the show being filmed, I notice that these scripts are thrown to the floor. If they still exist, I hope that someone can ensure that they are separated and organized as a discreet entity within the greater archive. As a youngster of only 77, I would be more than willing to assist in this endeavor, since organizing is my particular specialty, and I seem to have a few good years left in me.
Just another thought to throw in with the dozens of others you are dealing with right now.
Robert Barncord (Bertie)
Some eight or ten years ago at your three-day celebration of PHC at a collage I don't remember the name, during an off show gathering I had the pleasure of speaking to you on microphone and said, "there are three persons I truly admire, Paul Harvey, Charles Kuralt, and Garrison Keillor. That has not changed. Love ya Garrison.
As always- most of your responses are sage. But I particularly liked the one on grief. I have found that listening to the grieving seems to be a powerful medicine for them. They seem to need an ear and an understanding that it will never be yesterday again, but remembering will never stop and it is not only okay to remember, but necessary. Say little, if anything. But let them know you are there and you care.
Good Morning, Garrison
Your response to Dennis Carver brings to my mind a passage from another of my favorite writers, Wendell Berry. (Many folks know Berry as an essayist and poet, but I am great fan of his fiction, particularly his wonderful short stories set in Port William, Kentucky. Highly recommended to all.)
Anyway, someone asks the old guy how he’s been feeling and he replies:
“Well, the parts that used to be limber are now stiff; and the parts that use to be stiff are now limber. Know what I mean?”
Off to make tomato soup and bake bread (for the accompanying grilled cheese sandwiches) for supper this evening,
N
Ha! loved the joke! Good way to start my week!
I’m a little late with this, but of course Jesus laughed. There are paintings of him laughing heartily. To say otherwise is to deny his full humanity, which is a heresy that actually has a name — Docetism. I think to make people laugh is to bless them.
I have to admit how much I've had to rediscover tolerance by reading these posts. A few months back some of the readers' observations could put me in an awful mood and I'd retaliate, I thought fairly, by an unkind jab or left-handed compliment. But it is GK's consistent optimism overall that has won me over. I've grown to accept the angry zingers at the republicans, and the woeful miseries endured by readers like Mr. Ted L. of Texas today, who finds time to denigrate an entire half of our country while college kids from his apparent political persuasion scream epithets calling for ethnic cleansing. Oh well.
I am buoyed by Levi, for instance, who seems so blessed and grateful at the young age of 34 for the comforts of home and family, and Mavis, who dotes on a nephew's job search while bringing back my own memories of such travails. In fact, I still get a thrill recalling one Human Resources person asking, after the mandatory, "What are the good qualities you'd bring to this job?" the inevitable follow-up, "...and what are some of your not-so-great qualities?" and answering, "Well, I find that the older I get, the harder it is to metabolize alcohol at lunch."
Speaking of which, is it almost noon already? Oh my. Anyway, thank you to all the optimists out there, and Mr. Ted L. of Texas, be blessed that we live in a world where Post to the Host is still allowed. And no need to retort on who you think would be the people who'd take it away.
I believe that most people are good. Forums like this is where we can all find common ground. BTW, did you get the job? That was a pretty funny reply! 😂
Not only did I not get the job, the interview ended with very little eye contact.
Garrison, you should tell your correspondent from Cut and Shoot, Texas that you have no need to see the movie on the 1920 Osage murders, having co-narrated "The Dakota Conflict". P.S. Thought you would want to know that Wikipedia says Cut and Shoot's name came from an argument about either: The design of a new steeple for the town's only church,
The issue of who should be allowed to preach there, or
The conflicting land claims among church members. Sounds like a bunch of Santified Brethren may have gone South.
I love stories about how folks wound up in happy careers as a result of something pretty off-hand... I was invited to interview for a job in Seattle back in 1972...director of the newly-created Seattle Arts Commission. I went up stairs to the office of a local gallery-owner. I was hyped, but happy to be there and full of genuine enthusiasm for the job. The interview went on for half an hour or more and went well, I thought. The gallery-owner thanked me for coming, said the usual things about being in touch, and as I was leaving, her husband passed me on the stairs. I think we must have nodded, that was it.
Years later, after having enjoyed that job immensely, I was at a party and the gallery-owner was there and I thanked her for recommending me for the job. She said, "Oh, I suppose I can tell you now...the reason I recommended you was because my husband thought you would do very well."
And all it took was a nod.
I spent the next twenty-five years having the time of my life!
Surely you jest if you suggest that the Rhubarb sign and the Powder Milk banner are to be discarded. In all seriousness, these items should be donated to the Smithsonian.
Don't be coy. You know you are the voice of a generation and the culture of a place, the American mid-west. Living as I did in a place whose culture I never did understand, San Francisco, when APHC started, I never missed it. Yes, to be sentimental, it took me back home to the Wisconsin of my youthful experience. And I'm very grateful to you for that.
Same, I was another Wisconsin girl living in DC in the early years and gathering friends every Sat. for the next APHC (many of whom were not Midwesterners). I so wish I were talented enough to do a book about APHC.
Ah yes. DC. A long way from Wisconsin.
I once had a precious ticket to your show in Mount Tabor in Parsippany, NJ, but a winter storm kept this 93-year old loyal fan from attending. Mount Tabor is atop a very small mount, more like a hillock, but that icy hillock kept me away.
Gene Newman
I was THERE at Tanglewood that night! IT WAS MAGICAL! There were so many of us, that we, the overflow crowd, was sitting on the grass. We sang, and we sang, and we sang! I don’t think there was even one among us who wanted it to end, EVER! Once you officially called it a night, a gaggle of us lined up backstage to thank you, individually. It was in the days of my being a Girl Scout Camp Counselor, and I was wearing a white Navy sailor’s cap with the brim turned down. When it came to my turn, you reached out and touched my hat – you may not have seen it sported in that shape before.
OMG! I had a three-hour drive to return to my house in Central New York. And I can tell you, I could feel the magic of your touch for every second of it!
For you folks out there who notice that GK may be coming your way. If you’re sitting on a fence, “Should I go, or just tune in on the radio, I’d advise you “GO! The feel of the crowd, the choice of the songs to sing – the whole AMBIANCE! It’s just UPLIFTING BEYOND MEASURE!
My husband and I were at one of those wonderful Tanglewood performances and stayed late for the singing. We loved it, but were disappointed that we hadn't know enough to stay late the previous times that we went. We mainly go to the ones with opera singers since we are long-time opera fans. We have met and talked to many of the Met singers there and after their recitals. They are often available and willing to talk and sign autographs after performances and are usually happy to have pictures taken with them. If you walk around during the day, you can encounter orchestra members, soloists and other celebrities. I have talked to Garrison there and at a few other venues. Once I gave him a DVD of a video I made about our efforts to capture a feral cat who was harassing our cats, but I don't know if he ever watched it. I posted it on Facebook, minus the sound track of "Alley Cat" played by Big Tiny Little, since there was apparently a copyright violation. It's not the same without the music, but my cat-loving friends and relatives still enjoyed it.
https://www.facebook.com/mmandrioli/videos