I loved your response to "Jean". That person is obviously miserable and totally misses the point, especially by saying yours is not a good life. Jean obviously hasn't paid much attention to you or your writings or else he/she would know better.
I am very aware of what Robin Williams meant, and also what Southerners intend by it. Thanks for your interest, the bless your heart was directed at Jean, as was the previous comment.
GK-I am saddened to have to write this, but I feel I must unsubscribe from your Post to the Host. Your column and commentary have for years been a welcome escape from the challenges and arguments that always seem to swirl around our daily lives. They bring a pleasant and lighter start to a day, reminding me of the many good and simple aspects of life, especially in the rural Midwest. However, it seems the posts are more often filled with the anger and controversy plaguing our country, something I don’t need to be reminded of. I wonder why people who get so angry at your comments read your columns at all, much less take the time to write, but such is our world of electronic debate. I will continue to read your books, etc., but cannot start a beautiful Monday morning reading the lectures of narrow-minded angry people on the troubling issues of our country. I wish you well, and would advise you not to post or answer hate or anger generated posts. As I was taught as a boy- don’t mud wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and only the pig likes it. Joe K. Beautiful Northern Michigan.
Sorry to lose you, Joe, and I wish you well. I write two columns a week and I give a third column to the readers. I edit out most of the fan letters and leave the criticism. I think that the angry letter is an art form and some people do it well and others not. Enjoy these fine summer days.
Aren't we fooling ourselves if we bury the comments that make for a less pleasant, heavier start to our day? I don't like the way the comments in question make me feel, either, but I fear that too many of us are failing to have necessary conversations with family and friends, in order to "keep the peace." Meanwhile, even though Democrats for now control the White House and Congress, the threat of authoritarian nationalism, or worse, seems only to grow, and more so in the U.S. than in most other countries. I hope that Garrison Keillor continues to keep his head out of the sand. His approach is just right as far as I'm concerned. I don't mean to imply that your head is in the sand, but I do notice that people who speak out about these issues tend to be "encouraged" to stop it—even by supposed allies—and I think this may be part of the reason our national discourse continues to drift away from reality and into the realm of Jewish space lasers, liberal groomers and a supposed absolute right to bear arms no matter how many children are slaughtered with military-style rifles. When allies suggest that we should avoid these unpleasant topics, they might as well be saying "You're an entertainer, so stick to entertaining me and stop trying to shove your libtard politics down my throat." That's my opinion, anyway.
Thanks for a well-written post. I've been doing shows that have no political commentary that I'm aware of, just stories about the odd world I grew up in, and during intermission, the audience and I stand and sing songs we all have known forever and this seems to please people. Some patriotic, a few hymns, some old doowop, some kid songs and there's a very sweet emotional union that we feel. Sometimes I say, "We're the last generation that knows all the words," which I hope isn't true but maybe is. I just walk down front and sing "My country 'tis of thee" and right away a thousand people are singing. They're sort of amazed at how good they sound.
I beg to differ with you, Joe. Sandy Hook Elementary School's shooting really came home to me. As a child, when we'd go back to Connecticut for holidays, we'd always make the pilgrimage to Sandy Hook, CT so two women who had been best friends in college could be together again. To me, Sandy Hook meant playing in a back-to-nature back yard, in a quiet, gentile, companionable rural neighborhood. The idea of a mass shooting in such a idyllic setting seemed to me like a brash challenge to all "America" means to most of us.
I respectfully submit that Our Thoughtful Host has been right on target with his commentary! If something like that could happen in Sandy Hook, or Uvalde, we need to take these events as indicators that the nature of our American society is changing. When someone has so clearly read "The Writing on the Wall" for us, we'd have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to stop, do some serious self-examination, and wonder what we can do to help our troubled youth, and our nation as a whole, get back on track?
I am afraid my post has been misunderstood. I am certainly awareof, and concerned with, the troubling issues of today. I have looked to GK’s columns and stories as as needed oasis from those issues. I still do with TWA, and miss the humerous posts and responses that lightened my monday morning. there seem to be no end of forums where these issues are debated, often with an angry tone. If PttH is evolving increasingly to a site where people want to call out GK for his observations, I would rather not start my monday mornings reading those attacks. My feelings only, which others clearly may not share.
Comments from a born & raised conservative mid-Western guy--NE, MN & SD--now living in the red-South which is much like the middle-America that we grew up in...
"Do Something" should be simple, one step at a time:
1) Ban weapon sales to all under 21 & lock schools & other public buildings leaving a single monitored entrance.
2) Restrict gun ownership to those with a CWP, which will provide a serious background check--periodically renewable--and some basic instruction in firearm use & responsibility.
(Not unlike requirements for driving a car--training, photo ID, etc)
3) Anyone who needs an AR-15 to hunt deer shouldn't be hunting. It's not hunting. It's just killing--or just shooting. OK to own one if qualified by #2 above.
4) From long medical experience--anyone who threatens suicide must be taken seriously, or they might. The same for threats of shootings--enforce "Red Flag" laws.
Very wise suggestions - I especially like the"periodically renewable" license idea. I've always wondered something about those who "hunt" with semi-automatic weapons - do they actually eat the meat afterwards? I would think the poor animal would be too torn up to be worth eating.
Never heard anyone put forward your second suggestion. Concealed Weapon Permit requirement would cut down on ownership rather severely and be politically unpopular and beyond that –– who would want to go round up the illegal guns? But it's an interesting idea.
Hello Garrison--from a guy who spent 6 years at the U of M and knows your part of the country well.
A CWP requirement would need to be prospective--going ahead, with the "round up of illegal guns" occurring as events proved necessary. But it would be strongly resisted by the "Slippery Slope" people.
I see it like a license to drive a car--also a potentially dangerous object that warrants training, background checks & renewal requirements.
you have wise readers, whether they appreciate you or not. To the guy who's convinced they're out to take our guns, remind him we need licenses for cars and yet (alas) I see no decline in auto ownership over the last century or so...
I share the turmoil Joe Kimmell feels when I read the angry rants you sometimes get from people who are not like me... But I thank you for posting them. It reminds me that "people who are not like me" read your comments...and maybe some of them will be enlightened just a little from time to time. I wish I could be as calm and direct in response to "people who are not like me." Thank you for letting us know that you love living...and that such love exists even when you are pilloried by "people who are not like me."
Can we decide who to trust with our futures, a body elected by us, or the people who want to make their own rules? This may be important to us all now or soon. I always loved your shows and especially Lives of the Cowboys. Thanks a bunch
I wonder if Dave's mnemonic for stalactites and stalagmites is either of the following: (1) stalaCtites are on the Ceiling; stalaGmites are on the Ground. (2) stalacTites are on Top; stalagMites are on the bottoM. -Chaim S.
I've always remembered it by thinking about stalactites sticking TIGHT to the roof. I also keep "who" and"whom" straight by thinking, "Who does what to whom?" ("Who" is the person who performs the action of the verb, while "whom" is the person who is acted upon). Funny the way we come up with silly saying to keep these things straight. :)
I grew up and live in rural communities, where gun ownership is not only common, but sometimes necessary. The folks I know use guns mostly for hunting and varmint extermination, and occasional euthanizing of mortally wounded animals, and usually stick to the trusty old .22 rifle Nothing more is really necessary around here. The elderly gentleman up the street from me once used his .rifle to chase off some guys who were nosing around his property at 2:00 AM, but all he needed to do was walk out his door with it and they ran off. My brothers once ended up with bottoms peppered with salt rock when they went poking around someone's dump during closed hours - this happened during the '60's, so Dad made them march over and apologize.
My father was a good shot, and his weapon of choice was a .22. He did not like killing things, but he liked to keep in practice. We kids were taught to respect the potential danger of weapons, and left the gun alone unless Dad was giving us lessons. He would sometimes go "hunting," but never came home with anything. After his death, Mom explained that Dad did not like killing animals, but he did enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet without his four rambunctious children running about, so he would go off into the woods, climb up a tree, and just sit and watch the deer wandering by. He was even too soft-hearted to slaughter the chickens in the fall, so the job fell to Mom - she didn't like it, either, but she had a lot of mouths to feed.
My husband owns a .22 rifle and an airgun. He, like my father, is a good shot, but does not enjoy shooting. He's used the rifle to kill problem animals (e.g., possums in the chicken coop) and loads the airgun with rubber bullets to discourage deer who want to eat up the corn or loose dogs who think donkey chasing is great fun (maybe it is for the dog, but the donkeys hate it!). In the 40+ years we've been married, he's probably used either gun five or six times. He keeps the guns locked away safely when they're not in use (99% of the time).
There is a place for RESPONSIBLE gun ownership - since not everyone is capable of responsibility, background checks and tests are necessary.
"We sing to show that we're one country. What are you doing to achieve this?"
I heard a different story from another "achiever." I was in the tent-camping section of a state park. Lou, a white fellow with a neatly trimmed beard, came up to me. He needed to tell someone about his latest "good deed." It seems, last night, it was pouring rain. A Korean fellow who had a brand new tent was flummoxed about how to set it up, as darkness set in. Lou saw his predicament and went over to help him. He showed him how to get the fly above the dome-shaped tent, and below the arching superstructure.
Ted had to tell someone about it! It made him feel really good. As a semi-neurochemist, I replied that those feel-good sensations are caused by endorphins - and it's good to have some endorphin releases on a fairly frequent basis. "But, beyond that," I said, "in these days, in the shadow of our most recent former president, it seems to me that it's a really good thing to voluntarily interact with folks who "aren't in the majority culture" somehow. Ted smiled. It was as if we had given a hidden handshake - as if we belonged to a secret club - because we were both showing each other that we're DEMOCRATS! In our neck of the woods, we're in the political minority.
Maybe it's something to think about among GK's Friends. Perhaps, because of the fine example set for us by our Friendly Host, we've absorbed the concept that having interactions with our Fellows, even if they might not have been "Born in the USA," is one way to reduce the tension when we interface with the world. Maybe the title of this column doesn't only imply "Friends of GK" - but "Friendly folks" in general! Recognizing, and Helping strangers, can give us friendly folks an endorphin high that can even make the rest of the day seem better!
You definitely belong to a secret club, but I don't think it's the Democrat Club - I know Republicans and Independents who would happily work up some endorphins helping someone out, majority culture or not. I think the secret club is actually the Decent Folk Club. They're everywhere, and you can't tell who is a member by race, religion, or political affiliation - you have to watch closely, because you can only tell who's who by their actions. Keep spreading around those feel-good chemicals, Wandering Sioux. :)
I'd like to tell Scooter Larsen that if the government ever comes after citizens with a National Army, it won't matter how many fat old patriots have AR-15s, or body armor, you're going down fast. These weapons are good for only one thing, murdering other innocent citizens, and we need to remove them as much as possible, as quick as possible!
I loved your response to "Jean". That person is obviously miserable and totally misses the point, especially by saying yours is not a good life. Jean obviously hasn't paid much attention to you or your writings or else he/she would know better.
Poor Jean! Willful ignorance is no excuse, dear.
I forgot, bless your heart!
Gee thanks. Look up on line what Robin Williams said about his Mom using that expression.
I am very aware of what Robin Williams meant, and also what Southerners intend by it. Thanks for your interest, the bless your heart was directed at Jean, as was the previous comment.
Not helpful.
Next time I will reply directly to the original commenter.
GK-I am saddened to have to write this, but I feel I must unsubscribe from your Post to the Host. Your column and commentary have for years been a welcome escape from the challenges and arguments that always seem to swirl around our daily lives. They bring a pleasant and lighter start to a day, reminding me of the many good and simple aspects of life, especially in the rural Midwest. However, it seems the posts are more often filled with the anger and controversy plaguing our country, something I don’t need to be reminded of. I wonder why people who get so angry at your comments read your columns at all, much less take the time to write, but such is our world of electronic debate. I will continue to read your books, etc., but cannot start a beautiful Monday morning reading the lectures of narrow-minded angry people on the troubling issues of our country. I wish you well, and would advise you not to post or answer hate or anger generated posts. As I was taught as a boy- don’t mud wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and only the pig likes it. Joe K. Beautiful Northern Michigan.
Sorry to lose you, Joe, and I wish you well. I write two columns a week and I give a third column to the readers. I edit out most of the fan letters and leave the criticism. I think that the angry letter is an art form and some people do it well and others not. Enjoy these fine summer days.
you can't please everybody so just please yourself. but you really please a lot of us because you also challenge us to exam our beliefs.
Aren't we fooling ourselves if we bury the comments that make for a less pleasant, heavier start to our day? I don't like the way the comments in question make me feel, either, but I fear that too many of us are failing to have necessary conversations with family and friends, in order to "keep the peace." Meanwhile, even though Democrats for now control the White House and Congress, the threat of authoritarian nationalism, or worse, seems only to grow, and more so in the U.S. than in most other countries. I hope that Garrison Keillor continues to keep his head out of the sand. His approach is just right as far as I'm concerned. I don't mean to imply that your head is in the sand, but I do notice that people who speak out about these issues tend to be "encouraged" to stop it—even by supposed allies—and I think this may be part of the reason our national discourse continues to drift away from reality and into the realm of Jewish space lasers, liberal groomers and a supposed absolute right to bear arms no matter how many children are slaughtered with military-style rifles. When allies suggest that we should avoid these unpleasant topics, they might as well be saying "You're an entertainer, so stick to entertaining me and stop trying to shove your libtard politics down my throat." That's my opinion, anyway.
Thanks for a well-written post. I've been doing shows that have no political commentary that I'm aware of, just stories about the odd world I grew up in, and during intermission, the audience and I stand and sing songs we all have known forever and this seems to please people. Some patriotic, a few hymns, some old doowop, some kid songs and there's a very sweet emotional union that we feel. Sometimes I say, "We're the last generation that knows all the words," which I hope isn't true but maybe is. I just walk down front and sing "My country 'tis of thee" and right away a thousand people are singing. They're sort of amazed at how good they sound.
I beg to differ with you, Joe. Sandy Hook Elementary School's shooting really came home to me. As a child, when we'd go back to Connecticut for holidays, we'd always make the pilgrimage to Sandy Hook, CT so two women who had been best friends in college could be together again. To me, Sandy Hook meant playing in a back-to-nature back yard, in a quiet, gentile, companionable rural neighborhood. The idea of a mass shooting in such a idyllic setting seemed to me like a brash challenge to all "America" means to most of us.
I respectfully submit that Our Thoughtful Host has been right on target with his commentary! If something like that could happen in Sandy Hook, or Uvalde, we need to take these events as indicators that the nature of our American society is changing. When someone has so clearly read "The Writing on the Wall" for us, we'd have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to stop, do some serious self-examination, and wonder what we can do to help our troubled youth, and our nation as a whole, get back on track?
I am afraid my post has been misunderstood. I am certainly awareof, and concerned with, the troubling issues of today. I have looked to GK’s columns and stories as as needed oasis from those issues. I still do with TWA, and miss the humerous posts and responses that lightened my monday morning. there seem to be no end of forums where these issues are debated, often with an angry tone. If PttH is evolving increasingly to a site where people want to call out GK for his observations, I would rather not start my monday mornings reading those attacks. My feelings only, which others clearly may not share.
Good morning, this is a question, not a comment. Is there a website where I can order your latest books ? Please direct me to the right site. Thanks.
Lots of them. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and there's a Prairie Home website where you can get signed editions.
Comments from a born & raised conservative mid-Western guy--NE, MN & SD--now living in the red-South which is much like the middle-America that we grew up in...
"Do Something" should be simple, one step at a time:
1) Ban weapon sales to all under 21 & lock schools & other public buildings leaving a single monitored entrance.
2) Restrict gun ownership to those with a CWP, which will provide a serious background check--periodically renewable--and some basic instruction in firearm use & responsibility.
(Not unlike requirements for driving a car--training, photo ID, etc)
3) Anyone who needs an AR-15 to hunt deer shouldn't be hunting. It's not hunting. It's just killing--or just shooting. OK to own one if qualified by #2 above.
4) From long medical experience--anyone who threatens suicide must be taken seriously, or they might. The same for threats of shootings--enforce "Red Flag" laws.
Very wise suggestions - I especially like the"periodically renewable" license idea. I've always wondered something about those who "hunt" with semi-automatic weapons - do they actually eat the meat afterwards? I would think the poor animal would be too torn up to be worth eating.
Never heard anyone put forward your second suggestion. Concealed Weapon Permit requirement would cut down on ownership rather severely and be politically unpopular and beyond that –– who would want to go round up the illegal guns? But it's an interesting idea.
Hello Garrison--from a guy who spent 6 years at the U of M and knows your part of the country well.
A CWP requirement would need to be prospective--going ahead, with the "round up of illegal guns" occurring as events proved necessary. But it would be strongly resisted by the "Slippery Slope" people.
I see it like a license to drive a car--also a potentially dangerous object that warrants training, background checks & renewal requirements.
you have wise readers, whether they appreciate you or not. To the guy who's convinced they're out to take our guns, remind him we need licenses for cars and yet (alas) I see no decline in auto ownership over the last century or so...
Thank you for not taking so much of the foolishness of readers too seriously. I appreciate you being you.
I share the turmoil Joe Kimmell feels when I read the angry rants you sometimes get from people who are not like me... But I thank you for posting them. It reminds me that "people who are not like me" read your comments...and maybe some of them will be enlightened just a little from time to time. I wish I could be as calm and direct in response to "people who are not like me." Thank you for letting us know that you love living...and that such love exists even when you are pilloried by "people who are not like me."
Can we decide who to trust with our futures, a body elected by us, or the people who want to make their own rules? This may be important to us all now or soon. I always loved your shows and especially Lives of the Cowboys. Thanks a bunch
I wonder if Dave's mnemonic for stalactites and stalagmites is either of the following: (1) stalaCtites are on the Ceiling; stalaGmites are on the Ground. (2) stalacTites are on Top; stalagMites are on the bottoM. -Chaim S.
I've always remembered it by thinking about stalactites sticking TIGHT to the roof. I also keep "who" and"whom" straight by thinking, "Who does what to whom?" ("Who" is the person who performs the action of the verb, while "whom" is the person who is acted upon). Funny the way we come up with silly saying to keep these things straight. :)
A grown man named Scooter with a U.S. Rep named Chip. I'm tickled that this is still such a weird and wild country. Thanks for the P -> H!
I grew up and live in rural communities, where gun ownership is not only common, but sometimes necessary. The folks I know use guns mostly for hunting and varmint extermination, and occasional euthanizing of mortally wounded animals, and usually stick to the trusty old .22 rifle Nothing more is really necessary around here. The elderly gentleman up the street from me once used his .rifle to chase off some guys who were nosing around his property at 2:00 AM, but all he needed to do was walk out his door with it and they ran off. My brothers once ended up with bottoms peppered with salt rock when they went poking around someone's dump during closed hours - this happened during the '60's, so Dad made them march over and apologize.
My father was a good shot, and his weapon of choice was a .22. He did not like killing things, but he liked to keep in practice. We kids were taught to respect the potential danger of weapons, and left the gun alone unless Dad was giving us lessons. He would sometimes go "hunting," but never came home with anything. After his death, Mom explained that Dad did not like killing animals, but he did enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet without his four rambunctious children running about, so he would go off into the woods, climb up a tree, and just sit and watch the deer wandering by. He was even too soft-hearted to slaughter the chickens in the fall, so the job fell to Mom - she didn't like it, either, but she had a lot of mouths to feed.
My husband owns a .22 rifle and an airgun. He, like my father, is a good shot, but does not enjoy shooting. He's used the rifle to kill problem animals (e.g., possums in the chicken coop) and loads the airgun with rubber bullets to discourage deer who want to eat up the corn or loose dogs who think donkey chasing is great fun (maybe it is for the dog, but the donkeys hate it!). In the 40+ years we've been married, he's probably used either gun five or six times. He keeps the guns locked away safely when they're not in use (99% of the time).
There is a place for RESPONSIBLE gun ownership - since not everyone is capable of responsibility, background checks and tests are necessary.
Thank you so much for this post. It's a good story that I don't think I've ever heard before.
You're welcome.
"We sing to show that we're one country. What are you doing to achieve this?"
I heard a different story from another "achiever." I was in the tent-camping section of a state park. Lou, a white fellow with a neatly trimmed beard, came up to me. He needed to tell someone about his latest "good deed." It seems, last night, it was pouring rain. A Korean fellow who had a brand new tent was flummoxed about how to set it up, as darkness set in. Lou saw his predicament and went over to help him. He showed him how to get the fly above the dome-shaped tent, and below the arching superstructure.
Ted had to tell someone about it! It made him feel really good. As a semi-neurochemist, I replied that those feel-good sensations are caused by endorphins - and it's good to have some endorphin releases on a fairly frequent basis. "But, beyond that," I said, "in these days, in the shadow of our most recent former president, it seems to me that it's a really good thing to voluntarily interact with folks who "aren't in the majority culture" somehow. Ted smiled. It was as if we had given a hidden handshake - as if we belonged to a secret club - because we were both showing each other that we're DEMOCRATS! In our neck of the woods, we're in the political minority.
Maybe it's something to think about among GK's Friends. Perhaps, because of the fine example set for us by our Friendly Host, we've absorbed the concept that having interactions with our Fellows, even if they might not have been "Born in the USA," is one way to reduce the tension when we interface with the world. Maybe the title of this column doesn't only imply "Friends of GK" - but "Friendly folks" in general! Recognizing, and Helping strangers, can give us friendly folks an endorphin high that can even make the rest of the day seem better!
You definitely belong to a secret club, but I don't think it's the Democrat Club - I know Republicans and Independents who would happily work up some endorphins helping someone out, majority culture or not. I think the secret club is actually the Decent Folk Club. They're everywhere, and you can't tell who is a member by race, religion, or political affiliation - you have to watch closely, because you can only tell who's who by their actions. Keep spreading around those feel-good chemicals, Wandering Sioux. :)
I'd like to tell Scooter Larsen that if the government ever comes after citizens with a National Army, it won't matter how many fat old patriots have AR-15s, or body armor, you're going down fast. These weapons are good for only one thing, murdering other innocent citizens, and we need to remove them as much as possible, as quick as possible!
I have enjoyed your insight and entertaining ideas and musical acumen for the last 4 decades.. Attended two of your live performances in Virginia.
Thanks for continuing your friendship with your fans!
Friendship is what it's all about. They're good people.
After reading the Cat / Bird / Gecko story, couldn't help thinking that "they" get along as long as there is a glass between.
I would like to believe “Jean” Is an aberration, but I fear she or he are real people. 😩