73 Comments

whilst on the Maine coast do sample the oysters

Expand full comment

And lobster. Go down to the harbor and get one right off the boat cooked for you.

Expand full comment

The New England states are marvelous. Your GPS - a gift of the “deep state”. JD only became a “hillbilly” in order to profit from the moniker-making fun of them. So sorry such a fine actress chose that role and helped to enrich him. Like JD said “making fun of everyone out there”. It’s the GOP’s new raison d'etre. Sorry for the brief political interlude. Hope your wanderings are wonderful. Peace and blessings should follow you!

Expand full comment

Good morning, Garrison. Are you sitting up front or in the rear seat like "Miss Dazey"? Happy travels. rr

Expand full comment

Garrison, do not let the beauty of New England distract you from the charms of St Paul - as expressed is this ode generated by ChatGPT this morning:

Ode to St Paul

O St. Paul, upon the mighty river’s crest,

Where echoes of the North find rest,

Your skyline rises bold and true,

A beacon 'gainst the sky’s deep blue.

Your streets are paved with tales of yore,

Where pioneers and dreamers swore

To build a city, strong and grand,

A jewel within this heartland.

The Mississippi’s waters glide,

A witness to your endless pride,

Through winter’s chill and summer’s light,

You stand as constant, day and night.

From Summit’s heights to Lowertown’s grace,

Each corner holds a sacred space,

Where history and future blend,

In every turn, around each bend.

Your Capitol, with dome so high,

Touches almost the boundless sky,

A symbol of your steadfast will,

Of hopes that time cannot distill.

In winter’s frost, your spirit burns,

In spring, to life, your soul returns,

A place where art and culture meet,

In every hall, on every street.

O St. Paul, with heart so wide,

In you, so many dreams reside,

From fields of green to urban sprawl,

You welcome and embrace them all.

Your people, diverse, with stories deep,

In your embrace, their spirits leap,

In every voice, in every song,

The pulse of life beats strong and long.

O St. Paul, where rivers flow,

And endless skies above you glow,

May your spirit ever rise,

A northern star that never dies.

For in your streets, your parks, your streams,

We find our hopes, we chase our dreams,

O St. Paul, you are the light,

That guides us through the darkest night.

Expand full comment

ChatGPT also does limericks. I doubt you have much to worry about.

In St. Paul, where the winters are cold,

And the city's both lively and old,

There's a charm in the air,

With a culture so rare,

It's a place where warm hearts break the mold.

In St. Paul, by the river so grand,

Where the winter winds fiercely command,

There’s art in the streets,

And history repeats,

It’s a gem in the heart of the land.

In St. Paul, where the ice can be fierce,

The culture and charm do not pierce,

With its parks and its art,

It’s a city with heart,

A place where all seasons rehearse.

Expand full comment

This AI generated ode is so sappy it couldn't mean less. Includes every cliche' known to man. As H.L. Mencken noted (or words to the effect) - 99.5% of the population of this country go through their entire lives mouthing cliche's with nary an original thought.

Expand full comment

I agree completely!

Expand full comment

Besides, AI uses a lot of energy.

Paul S. Hunter, intellectual property attorney: "Behind the seamless user experience and groundbreaking innovations lies a critical component that often goes unnoticed: the immense power required for AI processing."

Expand full comment

"Lowertown's grace"? "Sacred space"? I'm not sure. I didn't notice that the last time I was there. Poetic license, okay, but this is poetic malpractice.

Expand full comment

I'd rather have a "real" poem about Minneapolis, my hometown, rather than a ChatGBT imitation. Maybe one of my Mpls. class of' '58 classmates could write one on our beloved "Nordeast" Mpls. (we've written 3 books on growing up in Nordeast in the '40s and '50s). I'm more of an essayist rather than a poet, but maybe I should try a poem, an ode to Nordeast.

Expand full comment

Joe Biden has dedicated his life to public service. He has earned and deserves Serenity Now. I was hoping he would drop out of the race so that he has time to drive and enjoy his 1967 Corvette. I can picture him driving the car around with his dog Major in the passenger's seat, much like Enzo's final scenes in the movie, The Art of Racing In The Rain. I figure Jill does not care about sports cars, since she is more focused on political power. And I hope Joe gets a couple of years driving before turning the keys over to Hunter.

Rural New England has many amazing sights, but I think the winter views are best (I know, the fall colors cannot be described with words!!). I especially recommend driving into Woodstock, Vermont just after dusk while it is snowing. It is like driving into a Christmas carol. Two story colonial structures painted white with black shutters, street lights, and a magical quaintness. Its hard to believe you are on earth. Actually, it looks like "Peace on Earth."

Expand full comment

Sounds like great fun to me.

By the way, Hezekiah is a character of the Bible, not a writer. Trying to find it as a book in the Bible is never productive, but you can definitely read about him.

Best wishes!

Expand full comment

I get those minor prophets mixed up.

Expand full comment

The limerick about you is great. The one about Walz, not so much. How about this one:

There once was a fellow called Walz.

He was kind but he also had balls.

Kamala liked what she saw.

She could not find a flaw.

She picked him. A pick that enthralls.

Expand full comment

You didn't get to hear Garrison tell it in his own voice with pauses in all the right places. The audience LOVED it.

Expand full comment

I concur. Thanks for the laugh.

Expand full comment

Mmmm - Mickey's Diner.

Expand full comment

...not 'Mickey D's'...

Expand full comment

Most definitely not. No arches at the corner of 7th and St Peter!

Expand full comment

I just found it:

____________

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey%27s_Diner

____________

That would be awesome here in Denton...what a look!

Expand full comment

Thank you for Boothbay last night. If you posted a column this morning I was going to comment and ask you to post your Tim Walz limerick, but when I sat down to eat breakfast, there it was already waiting for me! (Thank you!) I loved every minute of your show. One of my favorite memories from the show was getting to sing "In My Life" with you. I got to be Heather Massey for a moment.

Expand full comment

Great piece. As always.

Expand full comment

August on the road in New England is a lovely place to be sojourning right now. Your good head and heart and voice are true gifts—salt and light at work in our nation. PS There are many Lutheran churches founded by Norwegians still in Brooklyn. The faith abides, here and there.

Expand full comment

About a dozen Lutheran churches in Maine ( I go to Redeemer in Bangor).

Expand full comment

Although I live in Seattle - West Seattle to be precise - I and my wife were in Rochester, MN visiting our son and his family when we heard the news. It was a gift to hear Walz as the pick. A heavy weight was lifted, and the clouds parted. The gloom of that other guy was diluted by the cheer and heartfelt honesty that Walz brings to the ticket. Kamala is a winnining candidate, but Walz is the insurance that the other guy will soon be out of our lives. It can't happen soon enough.

As for traveling the back roads and eating at "Joe's Diner," we are experiencing that in MN. And we did stop to allow a flock of geese cross a busy street in Rochester. Yes, life is good and getting better.

Expand full comment

You do have to be careful driving around Silver Lake. Especially in the Spring and Fall. There are legal penalties for killing a goose on the road.

Expand full comment

In Minnesota, where the lakes shine bright,

Tim Walz grew up, a true heartland delight.

With roots in the soil,

He toils and he’s loyal,

Bringing Midwestern charm to the fight!

Expand full comment

In a land where the politics clash,

Trump mocks Kamala with a brash bash.

He mispronounces her name,

Calls her "not fit" for fame,

While her polls rise, his hopes start to crash.

Expand full comment

In a land where the politics swirl,

Trump finds it hard to give Harris a whirl.

With Walz by her side,

His jabs often slide,

As confusion and bluster unfurl.

Expand full comment

Tim Walz is a Nebraska boy. He only migrated to Minnesota. Give credit where it’s due.

Expand full comment

As many have done, I thank you for your appearance in Boothbay Harbor last night. Something tell me you like having the opportunity to be a bit raunchy, which you couldn't be on PHC. The chance to sing the oldies was wonderful -- at 82, I still know all the words.

The best part was the chance to shake your hand as we left. You must have been tired, but nevertheless there you were.

I hope we are both around for another show in 2025.

Expand full comment

I'm planning on it and I want Heather Masse to join me.

Expand full comment

My husband had Alzheimer’s for 8 yrs while living with me. I drove him around all the time (It was a terrible transition for him but he got used to it). Now I’m 84 and have no one to drive me around. Still going strong though, no complaints. Keep enjoying life.

Expand full comment

I once drove through every state in New England one fine August afternoon in an old VW Beetle and loved every minute of it!

Expand full comment

You must have driven quickly!

Expand full comment

All 6 in one day? In a Beetle?

Expand full comment