I'm a mere 65 and you make me look forward to growing older, if I am permitted. Many -most?- of my contemporaries talk about our 60's like it's a bad thing. They talk about it as if they don't know what the only alternative is.
Like your line “ deal with actual problems”. YES! Please! But the reason they don’t is because they really are not able to figure out how to solve our problems. They would rather choose some current mind game to argue over than do real work. It’s a good way to create turmoil and chaos which is what they want.
It takes time to study the problems ––– agriculture, for example, you can spend years mastering the basics and there's no glory in it whatsoever but it is necessary ––– whereas you can deliver denunciations off the top of your head, no work required. I think there are still Republicans willing to do the work. Wish there were more.
Thanks to a wise judge in Texas, the whole TC thing may have blown over. But the sad fact is that the Texas legislature wanted to do it. I am a Lutheran who tries his best to live up to the law handed down on the TCs. I fail a lot, but pass on most. Most of my almost eighty years above ground have not made a shambles of the TC, but some of them have. I attribute that to youth and just palin having a good time.
Actually, I don’t just “like” this one. I LOVE it!! I was born and raised in Texas when one could be proud of that fact. Thanks for the daily dose of perspective and common sense, two qualities that are definitely NOT ubiquitous.
Wow! What a radical idea..values and morals as practiced by good behavior and being nice, and taking responsibility for one's actions. I'm all for that..in fact recently been volunteering in our local schools and they have a version: respect each other, be kind, think before you act. Wish adults, and Texans would practice what they screech...you forgot the biggest bugaboo, the 'Thou shall not kill'. It's sort like those folks that wear the WWJD, although I have my, WWSD (What Would Scooby Doo?) and think of kindness often. So given the duplicity, the lack of visible consequences, what can we do but out best, mostly/always...
For decades, while driving a taxi in the streets of San Francisco, I listened to your wonderful stories about Lake Woebegone. I enjoy your writing, sense of humor and your deep admiration for the love of your life. Raised in the Greek Orthodox Church, I understand the need for dumb humans to believe in something greater than other dumb humans. Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy were also very comforting at one time. But at some point we have to grow up and see the world for what it is. I found it very ironic and amusing when you wrote about the 10 commandments and how we should look at them. The problem with any religion is that we, as dumb humans, chase religious interpretations down a rabbit hole with infinite arguments about what our almighty imaginary friend really wants us to do. In the long run it just leads to a bad ending. Just ask the native tribes in the Americas who thought their magical garments would protect them against European weapons. Peace be with you and your loved ones.
When I was about 10, I asked my (mildly-religious Catholic) mother whether she thought that believing in Santa Claus and in God were really the same thing. I thought I had expressed a profound insight about the act of suspending reality and believing in things that were not physically possible. I was surprised when she responded angrily,"No - they are not the same at all!"
The problem with most all religions is that they are man-made. God probably shakes His head more for some than others but given religions are created by flawed humans they as well are destined to be flawed. Fortunately the true nature of God is to forgive us of those flaws especially when it comes to obeying commandments.
Yes, the Texas republicans have done it again and once more stepped into a mighty high pile of their own manure. Our local Church of Christ agreed to host the drag show fundraiser and people had a good time. Our legislature is thoroughly appalled by this but I’m sure putting the TC in every school will solve all our morality problems except for our attorney general who has been under indictment for 9 years already. By the way, you are all invited to the fundraiser for breast cancer. The firefighters will again be topless except for the very fancy bras they will be wearing as they dance down the aisle.
I loved your column on the Ten Commandments and applying our hearts to wisdom. I have listened to you since the Saturday night in early 1983 when I was getting ready to go out with the first of the last two ladies I ever went out with before I met my wife in February of that year. My wife and I have been married 39 years as of yesterday, so your show must have been good for marital longevity, at least ours. I couldn't figure out if you were serious or kidding half the time, but I laughed anyway, unless I cried. I may have cried after having laughed a lot about the pigs that were slaughtered as you told about them in one of the best acts of story-telling I have experienced, and that was way back in 1983. You helped me get ready for a lot of ambiguity, which I needed to get used to since I was about to enter an Episcopal seminary in the fall of 1983. Your commercials about Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery were good preparation for reading passages in the Old Testament like, "Those were the days when every man did what was right in his own eyes." Of course, the scripture verse means the world was going to hell fast but people these days may take that expression much more cheerfully. After all, at least every man was not doing what was wrong in his own eyes; and what were the women doing?
I am really writing to tell you that you inspired me to write a church newsletter column three years ago during the pandemic about how talking to Dad was like talking to God. My father had dementia for 13 years and died on January 11, so I am glad that The Anglican Digest published my column as a tribute to my father and all fathers. You are important in my column as the inspiration and model for writing something thoughtful, funny, and perhaps moving. If you read this article on p. 15, please forgive me for using the word "ubiquitous." Perhaps you will extend a bit of grace to me because I am talking about one of God's most mysterious attributes in that passage.
As a “Wandering Sioux” (that’s actually “Sue) based in California for most of my working years, I frequently drove straight east and came across the border to the Alamo State and all. As an “Outsider” – perhaps I don’t understand what’s going on there. It seems to me, though, that the mystique of
The Lone Star State is such that they’re more into presenting a “Unified Image of the State” than perhaps any other state of the Union. I’ve ridden a raft down the Rio Grande as it separates Texas from Mexico, and the guides project the image that even the cattle grazing on the river’s banks are “different” somehow, if they’re in TEXAS, than south of the border.
It’s not always a congenial image. Once I stopped by the side of a Texas road to help out the occupants of a car that had it’s hood up in a “Engine Trouble” signal. Those folks happened to be Mexican farm workers – here legally, but limited to Spanish as a language. We were busy trying to figure out the best way ahead when a Texas Ranger – roadside policeman, pulled up behind us. He signaled to me to sit in the front seat of his patrol car while he called in to base. Then he began reading the book to me… him - “What are you doing here? Don’t you see they are MEXICANS? “ - me- “Well yes. I have a farm in California and the workers down the hill help me out all the time. What’s the problem? These folks just have some engine trouble., We were getting ready to pile into my car so I could take them home to get tools and parts and fix their car. “
“Just like that? You don’t know them. How can you trust them?”
“I must have worked with over 200 Mexican workers in my 10 years on that farm. We’re Amigos. Friends. Everything will be OK.”
He stared at me a while. “Well, what about their vehicle? It can’t sit there all day.”
“They know how to fix cars. It will be gone in a few hours. No problem.”
“Well. Give me their address. I’ll be coming by on my rounds at the end of the day. I… guess….”
This is one “incident, just a day on the road in Texas. But, it seems to me it reflects a tension. Maybe some of this TEXAS – THE BEST!!!” stuff is insecurity – that they share a long border with our Southern neighbors – and the farmers and ranchers need their help, but they don’t want to admit that they can’t do everything themselves.
Thank you for clearing that up. I'm not eighty so I would like to kick a few Texans in the knee (or thereabouts) . Bless you for your sanity.
I'm a mere 65 and you make me look forward to growing older, if I am permitted. Many -most?- of my contemporaries talk about our 60's like it's a bad thing. They talk about it as if they don't know what the only alternative is.
Like your line “ deal with actual problems”. YES! Please! But the reason they don’t is because they really are not able to figure out how to solve our problems. They would rather choose some current mind game to argue over than do real work. It’s a good way to create turmoil and chaos which is what they want.
It takes time to study the problems ––– agriculture, for example, you can spend years mastering the basics and there's no glory in it whatsoever but it is necessary ––– whereas you can deliver denunciations off the top of your head, no work required. I think there are still Republicans willing to do the work. Wish there were more.
Garrison, you are at your best when you write about culture, religion and politics. This is one of your best columns in a while. Welcome back.
Thanks to a wise judge in Texas, the whole TC thing may have blown over. But the sad fact is that the Texas legislature wanted to do it. I am a Lutheran who tries his best to live up to the law handed down on the TCs. I fail a lot, but pass on most. Most of my almost eighty years above ground have not made a shambles of the TC, but some of them have. I attribute that to youth and just palin having a good time.
On a scale of one to three, you hit a triple.
Actually, I don’t just “like” this one. I LOVE it!! I was born and raised in Texas when one could be proud of that fact. Thanks for the daily dose of perspective and common sense, two qualities that are definitely NOT ubiquitous.
Wow! What a radical idea..values and morals as practiced by good behavior and being nice, and taking responsibility for one's actions. I'm all for that..in fact recently been volunteering in our local schools and they have a version: respect each other, be kind, think before you act. Wish adults, and Texans would practice what they screech...you forgot the biggest bugaboo, the 'Thou shall not kill'. It's sort like those folks that wear the WWJD, although I have my, WWSD (What Would Scooby Doo?) and think of kindness often. So given the duplicity, the lack of visible consequences, what can we do but out best, mostly/always...
GK,
For decades, while driving a taxi in the streets of San Francisco, I listened to your wonderful stories about Lake Woebegone. I enjoy your writing, sense of humor and your deep admiration for the love of your life. Raised in the Greek Orthodox Church, I understand the need for dumb humans to believe in something greater than other dumb humans. Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy were also very comforting at one time. But at some point we have to grow up and see the world for what it is. I found it very ironic and amusing when you wrote about the 10 commandments and how we should look at them. The problem with any religion is that we, as dumb humans, chase religious interpretations down a rabbit hole with infinite arguments about what our almighty imaginary friend really wants us to do. In the long run it just leads to a bad ending. Just ask the native tribes in the Americas who thought their magical garments would protect them against European weapons. Peace be with you and your loved ones.
Write on brother, write on.
DK
When I was about 10, I asked my (mildly-religious Catholic) mother whether she thought that believing in Santa Claus and in God were really the same thing. I thought I had expressed a profound insight about the act of suspending reality and believing in things that were not physically possible. I was surprised when she responded angrily,"No - they are not the same at all!"
The problem with most all religions is that they are man-made. God probably shakes His head more for some than others but given religions are created by flawed humans they as well are destined to be flawed. Fortunately the true nature of God is to forgive us of those flaws especially when it comes to obeying commandments.
My dearest Garrison,
This one will be posted on ALL my walls! Way, way out of the ball park , and a team's worth of home runs!
Hi GK, This post is bound to generate a lot of orders for knuckle sandwiches.
Roger Krenkler - LA
Caesar salad has no relation to the dictator, so there is no need to deprive yourself of it. Here is a link that explains its origin:
https://www.mccraystavern.com/caesar-salad#:~:text=Caesar%20salad%20was%20invented%20in,have%20invented%20the%20Caesar%20Salad.
Yes, the Texas republicans have done it again and once more stepped into a mighty high pile of their own manure. Our local Church of Christ agreed to host the drag show fundraiser and people had a good time. Our legislature is thoroughly appalled by this but I’m sure putting the TC in every school will solve all our morality problems except for our attorney general who has been under indictment for 9 years already. By the way, you are all invited to the fundraiser for breast cancer. The firefighters will again be topless except for the very fancy bras they will be wearing as they dance down the aisle.
Dear Garrison,
I loved your column on the Ten Commandments and applying our hearts to wisdom. I have listened to you since the Saturday night in early 1983 when I was getting ready to go out with the first of the last two ladies I ever went out with before I met my wife in February of that year. My wife and I have been married 39 years as of yesterday, so your show must have been good for marital longevity, at least ours. I couldn't figure out if you were serious or kidding half the time, but I laughed anyway, unless I cried. I may have cried after having laughed a lot about the pigs that were slaughtered as you told about them in one of the best acts of story-telling I have experienced, and that was way back in 1983. You helped me get ready for a lot of ambiguity, which I needed to get used to since I was about to enter an Episcopal seminary in the fall of 1983. Your commercials about Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery were good preparation for reading passages in the Old Testament like, "Those were the days when every man did what was right in his own eyes." Of course, the scripture verse means the world was going to hell fast but people these days may take that expression much more cheerfully. After all, at least every man was not doing what was wrong in his own eyes; and what were the women doing?
I am really writing to tell you that you inspired me to write a church newsletter column three years ago during the pandemic about how talking to Dad was like talking to God. My father had dementia for 13 years and died on January 11, so I am glad that The Anglican Digest published my column as a tribute to my father and all fathers. You are important in my column as the inspiration and model for writing something thoughtful, funny, and perhaps moving. If you read this article on p. 15, please forgive me for using the word "ubiquitous." Perhaps you will extend a bit of grace to me because I am talking about one of God's most mysterious attributes in that passage.
Faithfully yours,
Joseph Davis, Vicar
Grace Episcopal Church, Spring Hill, Tennessee
Here's a link to the article I wrote:
https://www.scribd.com/document/644884029/The-Anglican-Digest-Summer-2023
As a “Wandering Sioux” (that’s actually “Sue) based in California for most of my working years, I frequently drove straight east and came across the border to the Alamo State and all. As an “Outsider” – perhaps I don’t understand what’s going on there. It seems to me, though, that the mystique of
The Lone Star State is such that they’re more into presenting a “Unified Image of the State” than perhaps any other state of the Union. I’ve ridden a raft down the Rio Grande as it separates Texas from Mexico, and the guides project the image that even the cattle grazing on the river’s banks are “different” somehow, if they’re in TEXAS, than south of the border.
It’s not always a congenial image. Once I stopped by the side of a Texas road to help out the occupants of a car that had it’s hood up in a “Engine Trouble” signal. Those folks happened to be Mexican farm workers – here legally, but limited to Spanish as a language. We were busy trying to figure out the best way ahead when a Texas Ranger – roadside policeman, pulled up behind us. He signaled to me to sit in the front seat of his patrol car while he called in to base. Then he began reading the book to me… him - “What are you doing here? Don’t you see they are MEXICANS? “ - me- “Well yes. I have a farm in California and the workers down the hill help me out all the time. What’s the problem? These folks just have some engine trouble., We were getting ready to pile into my car so I could take them home to get tools and parts and fix their car. “
“Just like that? You don’t know them. How can you trust them?”
“I must have worked with over 200 Mexican workers in my 10 years on that farm. We’re Amigos. Friends. Everything will be OK.”
He stared at me a while. “Well, what about their vehicle? It can’t sit there all day.”
“They know how to fix cars. It will be gone in a few hours. No problem.”
“Well. Give me their address. I’ll be coming by on my rounds at the end of the day. I… guess….”
This is one “incident, just a day on the road in Texas. But, it seems to me it reflects a tension. Maybe some of this TEXAS – THE BEST!!!” stuff is insecurity – that they share a long border with our Southern neighbors – and the farmers and ranchers need their help, but they don’t want to admit that they can’t do everything themselves.