I pray for our kids to be safe in school. And I feel that the American people are being mistreated by one who bought his way into the inner circle of the newly elected president and wants a say. So he is saying medical research is not important lining my pockets with your gold is. Congratulations all those whose vote made this happen. Four years we will endure somehow.
Your words are a most beautiful gift this CHRISTmas season! Thank you for the gift of using your God given gifts to bless us. You are truly special! Have a very Merry CHRISTmas!
I just re-re-renewed my subscription, Garrison. I'm a mess, a real mess, I tell ya. The first time that I unsubscribed I was in a huff that I'm over now and can barely remember what it was all about. The next time that I unsubscribed was because I'm trying to extricate myself from social media, and, no offense, but you are part of that social media from which I'm trying to extricate myself. But this morning when I saw on my phone that you'd written something again on "Garrison Keillor and Friends," I did discipline myself to wait until after I'd met with The Almighty for a bit of Bible and prayer, but then I read this piece here which is just beautiful, and I saw the "RESUBSCRIBE" button in the top right-hand corner of the screen on my desktop monitor and thought, "Oh what the hell . . . maybe just a little bit longer." Maybe we'll even make it to Irvine to see you in person next month. No promises, but I booked my unsuspecting bride and I a room at the Hyatt Regency there just in case we do. I hope that we do get to see you and get to sing with you.
"Merry Christmas!" Old Friend. And "Happy New Year!" to us all too.
I'd encourage you to extricate yourself from social media, especially this column. I just think it's causing you distress and I hate to see that. I write what I think at the moment and it pains me to hear from you and other readers who are angry and upset. I'm an old man talking to myself. I'm not out to harm anyone.
From your mouth to God’s ears to my head then, Garrison. Thank you for writing this to me. God willing we’ll meet in Glory where we won’t even remember any of the unpleasantness in the used to be but only the good things. Vaya con Dios, mi Amigo. ❤️
I grew up without a dad. Mom worked at the arsenal during WWII then married again when I was around 6. That didn’t last either. So it was not an easy life for my mom but she never complained. Me? I loved my mixed culture neighborhood and the fact that 7/8th of us were in the same boat. I didn’t go to college because I didn’t even think it was an option. I married my HS sweetheart (his mother was on AFDC…welfare… so no encouragement to go to college either). He went into the Army after graduating HS and when he got home, he gave me an engagement ring. It was July 1960 and we set the date for April. He still didn’t get a job. He didn’t have much experience in anything and he looked about 12. We married anyway…what did we know? I got pregnant 2 weeks later. Told ya…what did I know? Haha! Long story short…he got a job at the same time I was let go for being 7 mos pregnant. All this to say that my life was the best/richest life I could ever have imagined. All because of my past experiences and my totally wonderful husband of 57.5 yrs. Sadly, the last 8 yrs of his life he had Alzheimer’s, I took care of him at home except for the last 6 mos….It’s been a bit over 6 yrs since he died and I miss him like crazy but because of him and my extraordinary life experiences I am feeling blessed and I’m totally enjoying my last chapter of life.
"I've known life hard and I've know life easy..." The Traveling People" by Ewan McCaul.
It's often the hard times that makes one realize the gift of life and the appreciation that follows. You and your husband seem to be the richer for those times. God bless you.
I’m so glad you got the point. Life is a journey that I wouldn’t have missed for the world. Ups and downs. If we dwell on the downs we’re doomed to be unhappy.
The simple flicker of a candle on a dark winter's night does more to warm one's heart than all the glares from Frosty, Christmas sales, and Flourescent Green Grinch Blow-ups on a blustery winter night. Holy Night and Silent Night to you and your Family Garrison! And, as Tiny Tim intercessed, "May God Bless Everyone!"
This is the book I just finished. I have sent it out as my "Christmas Greetings" and encouragement for folks to give books as presents: ""Buck….
He was older than the days he had seen and the breaths he had drawn. He linked the past with the present, and the eternity behind him throbbed through him in a mighty rhythm to which he swayed as the tides and seasons swayed. He sat by John Thorton’s fire, a broad breasted dog, white fanged and long furred; but behind him were the shades of all manner of dogs, half-wolves and wild wolves, urgent and prompting, tasting the savor of the meat he ate, thirsting for the water he drank, scenting the wind with him, listening with him and telling him the sounds made by the wild life in the forest, dictating his moods, directing his actions, lying down to sleep with him when he lay down, and dreaming with him and beyond him and becoming themselves the stuff of his dreams…..
Beautiful reminder for me, James. Jack London! Oh, how I love his stories! Call of the Wild was the very first book I ever read from cover to cover on my own when I was 12sh. Many times since. He became my favorite. I'm 67 now and I still imagine myself as John Thorton when I go camping. My trusty little shih tzu, Pistol Pete, is my stand in for mighty Buck. lolo Good post!
Thank you for another year, Garrison. I love coming to this little sliver of the internet for a few minutes when you post a piece. Merry Christmas to you and all of the readers.
In the 1980s I too listened every Saturday evening. One episode I cannot forget was about the death of the Beluga whate at the Minnesota Zoo. The audience was sobbing as was I. The tears wouldn’t stop. I recall episodes with loon calls and whales singing. Garrison is a precious storyteller.
Beautiful piece. Merry Christmas.
What a marvelous ✨️ piece of living writing ✍️. TY\*
Thank you!
Anoka Fight Song:
a-NO-ka,
a-NO-ka,
a-NO-ka meen-na-SO-ta.
Das ist how vee yell it,
Unt dis ist how vee spell it:
uh A,... uh N,...uh O..K..A...
uh A,... uh N,...uh O..K..A...
thank you! another warm insight. looking forward to your visit to Sacramento
I pray for our kids to be safe in school. And I feel that the American people are being mistreated by one who bought his way into the inner circle of the newly elected president and wants a say. So he is saying medical research is not important lining my pockets with your gold is. Congratulations all those whose vote made this happen. Four years we will endure somehow.
Merry Christmas Every One, especially you, Garrison Keillor🎄💫🎶
Your words are a most beautiful gift this CHRISTmas season! Thank you for the gift of using your God given gifts to bless us. You are truly special! Have a very Merry CHRISTmas!
I just re-re-renewed my subscription, Garrison. I'm a mess, a real mess, I tell ya. The first time that I unsubscribed I was in a huff that I'm over now and can barely remember what it was all about. The next time that I unsubscribed was because I'm trying to extricate myself from social media, and, no offense, but you are part of that social media from which I'm trying to extricate myself. But this morning when I saw on my phone that you'd written something again on "Garrison Keillor and Friends," I did discipline myself to wait until after I'd met with The Almighty for a bit of Bible and prayer, but then I read this piece here which is just beautiful, and I saw the "RESUBSCRIBE" button in the top right-hand corner of the screen on my desktop monitor and thought, "Oh what the hell . . . maybe just a little bit longer." Maybe we'll even make it to Irvine to see you in person next month. No promises, but I booked my unsuspecting bride and I a room at the Hyatt Regency there just in case we do. I hope that we do get to see you and get to sing with you.
"Merry Christmas!" Old Friend. And "Happy New Year!" to us all too.
https://youtu.be/DuCQOikO36c?feature=shared
I'd encourage you to extricate yourself from social media, especially this column. I just think it's causing you distress and I hate to see that. I write what I think at the moment and it pains me to hear from you and other readers who are angry and upset. I'm an old man talking to myself. I'm not out to harm anyone.
From your mouth to God’s ears to my head then, Garrison. Thank you for writing this to me. God willing we’ll meet in Glory where we won’t even remember any of the unpleasantness in the used to be but only the good things. Vaya con Dios, mi Amigo. ❤️
My favorite season to be Jewish. No stress. No malls. No tree to recycle.
Happy Hannukah!
Back atcha!😄
That makes two!🕎
I grew up without a dad. Mom worked at the arsenal during WWII then married again when I was around 6. That didn’t last either. So it was not an easy life for my mom but she never complained. Me? I loved my mixed culture neighborhood and the fact that 7/8th of us were in the same boat. I didn’t go to college because I didn’t even think it was an option. I married my HS sweetheart (his mother was on AFDC…welfare… so no encouragement to go to college either). He went into the Army after graduating HS and when he got home, he gave me an engagement ring. It was July 1960 and we set the date for April. He still didn’t get a job. He didn’t have much experience in anything and he looked about 12. We married anyway…what did we know? I got pregnant 2 weeks later. Told ya…what did I know? Haha! Long story short…he got a job at the same time I was let go for being 7 mos pregnant. All this to say that my life was the best/richest life I could ever have imagined. All because of my past experiences and my totally wonderful husband of 57.5 yrs. Sadly, the last 8 yrs of his life he had Alzheimer’s, I took care of him at home except for the last 6 mos….It’s been a bit over 6 yrs since he died and I miss him like crazy but because of him and my extraordinary life experiences I am feeling blessed and I’m totally enjoying my last chapter of life.
Have a happy and healthy 2025!
May God bless your beautiful soul! ❤️
Aaah, thanks. Blessings to you too.
"I've known life hard and I've know life easy..." The Traveling People" by Ewan McCaul.
It's often the hard times that makes one realize the gift of life and the appreciation that follows. You and your husband seem to be the richer for those times. God bless you.
I’m so glad you got the point. Life is a journey that I wouldn’t have missed for the world. Ups and downs. If we dwell on the downs we’re doomed to be unhappy.
Thanks for the book idea.
It is actually the lyrics of a song written by Ewan McCaul. Liam Clancy, I believe, has the best interpretation. It is on you tube.
Ok. Thanks for setting me straight. I was wondering why I couldn’t find the book. Dah!
Thank you for sharing that part of you with 'all of us.' It deepens the experience of reading this wonderful essay.
Thanks Richard. It was a good essay, wasn’t it?
Not my words…Garrison’s.
The simple flicker of a candle on a dark winter's night does more to warm one's heart than all the glares from Frosty, Christmas sales, and Flourescent Green Grinch Blow-ups on a blustery winter night. Holy Night and Silent Night to you and your Family Garrison! And, as Tiny Tim intercessed, "May God Bless Everyone!"
This is the book I just finished. I have sent it out as my "Christmas Greetings" and encouragement for folks to give books as presents: ""Buck….
He was older than the days he had seen and the breaths he had drawn. He linked the past with the present, and the eternity behind him throbbed through him in a mighty rhythm to which he swayed as the tides and seasons swayed. He sat by John Thorton’s fire, a broad breasted dog, white fanged and long furred; but behind him were the shades of all manner of dogs, half-wolves and wild wolves, urgent and prompting, tasting the savor of the meat he ate, thirsting for the water he drank, scenting the wind with him, listening with him and telling him the sounds made by the wild life in the forest, dictating his moods, directing his actions, lying down to sleep with him when he lay down, and dreaming with him and beyond him and becoming themselves the stuff of his dreams…..
= Jack London, The Call Of The Wild =
Beautiful reminder for me, James. Jack London! Oh, how I love his stories! Call of the Wild was the very first book I ever read from cover to cover on my own when I was 12sh. Many times since. He became my favorite. I'm 67 now and I still imagine myself as John Thorton when I go camping. My trusty little shih tzu, Pistol Pete, is my stand in for mighty Buck. lolo Good post!
Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
Thank you for another year, Garrison. I love coming to this little sliver of the internet for a few minutes when you post a piece. Merry Christmas to you and all of the readers.
In the 1980s I too listened every Saturday evening. One episode I cannot forget was about the death of the Beluga whate at the Minnesota Zoo. The audience was sobbing as was I. The tears wouldn’t stop. I recall episodes with loon calls and whales singing. Garrison is a precious storyteller.