GK Thank you for your word smithing! As an older boomer I appreciate the harmonious stroll with your pen. I often am wary of what I wish for because it may come true. Mr. Lama (as in Dalai), put it this way … Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stoke of luck
I disagree about your eligibility for the President post. Presidents are only mouth pieces for the Executive branch of the Federal government. You certainly have that ability. You would be the oldest sitting president but one the most liked one. Surround yourself with intelligent, capable like minded people for policy making and policy enforcement. Your first State of the Nation Address could be run like a PHC show. Singing patriotic anthems with the assembled as you enter the proceedings. Some music accompaniment pieces, some comedy pieces and then the News from the Nation, followed more patriotic anthems. This would be a "Glorious" nation were we all could agree to "Make America a Happier, Better Place". I know that I'd vote for you.
Where you say "meekness has been my salvation" and you keep your mouth shut, how can that be true given all the angry letters you recieve for being critical of Donald Trump at times?
Perfect! The older I get the more I appreciate my own simplicity. No more deep, deep diving for the true meaning of every written word. I get up everyday grateful that I’m alive for another sunrise, and a hot cup of coffee. Religion has never made much sense to me and now I’m happy to admit it. I’m off to play with an adorable grandchild, life is beautiful in my own reality.
I wonder why you do not view the current president as an idiot. His predecessor, though obnoxious, seemed to have a more sane way of governing. He also left the nation in better shape than it is now.
I got a little further in Moby Dick than page 20, but I didn't finish it either. There's a lengthy section in which Melville goes into great detail about how the whale goes from being a carcass to how it ends up as barrels of oil. That probably was interesting to folks of the day, but not many of us rely on whale oil lamps for our evening reading any more.
I think it's a sign of intelligence to know when to quit! Once in California, while on my quest to drive on every paved road, I got on "The Rim of the World" highway. It seemed to go on forever, (it's actually 117 miles long!) and, more worrisome was the fact that I was driving the only vehicle on the road. I got to Our Consummate Host's point, wondering what the Heck I was doing there, when I saw a green Forest Service Ranger's vehicle coming toward me. I got their attention, and we rolled down our windows. "Does this road go anywhere? Will I end up in a dead end?" I queried. "It does connect, but it's a two hour drive," they told me. It wasn't only the length of the drive, but the concept of being there, all alone, with no help in case a deer tried to jump in front of me and we crashed together. ( That almost happened to me on another mountain road - I missed her flank by less than a yard!) I decided that "some quests just aren't worth it."
It seems as if the quest of conquering a "Classic" like Moby Dick wasn't worth it to some of us latter-day readers.
It's good to know what fits into your personal life style, and what "goals" just aren't that significant! I just googled the quote "Know Yourself" and they came up with almost a trillion variations! I guess that says something about "peer pressure", and the need to set limits!
I wonder, among GK and Friends, if there are others who also admit to opting out of The Hunt For The Great White Whale? More Power to Us!
Dear Garrison, I understand why you did not want to read all of Moby-Dick. It is Melville's masterpiece, but for many it is too drawn-out. The Pequod, by the way, is a ship, not a boat. One summer many years ago I read only two novels: Moby-Dick and War and Peace. I'm sorry to hear that TWA will soon be gone. I start my day listening to it, and, back in 1999, I had the great privilege of having two of my own poems read by you. In October 2009 we saw you at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, a little after your stroke. Thank you & stay safe.
Hey something we agree on. Love ML Mencken. Close thing to Twain this country has ever produced. As for your hero Biden, let's just be politically correct and say competency challenged. Good grief...
I am disappointed to learn that after a disastrous four political years from which we are still reeling, thankfully ended, you now allude to Mencken's quip, “the men the American people admire the most are the most daring liars…on some … glorious day…the White house will be adorned by a downright moron”, and you proclaim “that day arrived”. This is the morning after an articulate and on-point State of the Union address that was surprisingly well received on both sides of the aisle.
Without further comment on your position, I frankly do not get your meaning.
Good morning, GK! You are sunshine after rain, the voice of a reason, calm and humor in all the turmoil. Thank you!
GK Thank you for your word smithing! As an older boomer I appreciate the harmonious stroll with your pen. I often am wary of what I wish for because it may come true. Mr. Lama (as in Dalai), put it this way … Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stoke of luck
Blessings on your head Mr Keillor. Multiple showers thereof.
Orthopedic pants!!
Careful, you’ll start a trend!
I disagree about your eligibility for the President post. Presidents are only mouth pieces for the Executive branch of the Federal government. You certainly have that ability. You would be the oldest sitting president but one the most liked one. Surround yourself with intelligent, capable like minded people for policy making and policy enforcement. Your first State of the Nation Address could be run like a PHC show. Singing patriotic anthems with the assembled as you enter the proceedings. Some music accompaniment pieces, some comedy pieces and then the News from the Nation, followed more patriotic anthems. This would be a "Glorious" nation were we all could agree to "Make America a Happier, Better Place". I know that I'd vote for you.
Where you say "meekness has been my salvation" and you keep your mouth shut, how can that be true given all the angry letters you recieve for being critical of Donald Trump at times?
Perfect! The older I get the more I appreciate my own simplicity. No more deep, deep diving for the true meaning of every written word. I get up everyday grateful that I’m alive for another sunrise, and a hot cup of coffee. Religion has never made much sense to me and now I’m happy to admit it. I’m off to play with an adorable grandchild, life is beautiful in my own reality.
Haha, you can be pretty bold :)
I wonder why you do not view the current president as an idiot. His predecessor, though obnoxious, seemed to have a more sane way of governing. He also left the nation in better shape than it is now.
I got a little further in Moby Dick than page 20, but I didn't finish it either. There's a lengthy section in which Melville goes into great detail about how the whale goes from being a carcass to how it ends up as barrels of oil. That probably was interesting to folks of the day, but not many of us rely on whale oil lamps for our evening reading any more.
I think it's a sign of intelligence to know when to quit! Once in California, while on my quest to drive on every paved road, I got on "The Rim of the World" highway. It seemed to go on forever, (it's actually 117 miles long!) and, more worrisome was the fact that I was driving the only vehicle on the road. I got to Our Consummate Host's point, wondering what the Heck I was doing there, when I saw a green Forest Service Ranger's vehicle coming toward me. I got their attention, and we rolled down our windows. "Does this road go anywhere? Will I end up in a dead end?" I queried. "It does connect, but it's a two hour drive," they told me. It wasn't only the length of the drive, but the concept of being there, all alone, with no help in case a deer tried to jump in front of me and we crashed together. ( That almost happened to me on another mountain road - I missed her flank by less than a yard!) I decided that "some quests just aren't worth it."
It seems as if the quest of conquering a "Classic" like Moby Dick wasn't worth it to some of us latter-day readers.
It's good to know what fits into your personal life style, and what "goals" just aren't that significant! I just googled the quote "Know Yourself" and they came up with almost a trillion variations! I guess that says something about "peer pressure", and the need to set limits!
I wonder, among GK and Friends, if there are others who also admit to opting out of The Hunt For The Great White Whale? More Power to Us!
I loved this article. Yesterday I broke one of the cardinal rules. I didn't keep my mouth shut and I was persecuted. I will know better from now on.
Dear Garrison, I understand why you did not want to read all of Moby-Dick. It is Melville's masterpiece, but for many it is too drawn-out. The Pequod, by the way, is a ship, not a boat. One summer many years ago I read only two novels: Moby-Dick and War and Peace. I'm sorry to hear that TWA will soon be gone. I start my day listening to it, and, back in 1999, I had the great privilege of having two of my own poems read by you. In October 2009 we saw you at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, a little after your stroke. Thank you & stay safe.
Richard Carlander
Camarillo, CA
I do. I know them and glad to learn that you do, too. Calm attentiveness helps me with inevitable realities. Try it; you'll like it!
Hey something we agree on. Love ML Mencken. Close thing to Twain this country has ever produced. As for your hero Biden, let's just be politically correct and say competency challenged. Good grief...
Dear Mr. Keillor,
I am disappointed to learn that after a disastrous four political years from which we are still reeling, thankfully ended, you now allude to Mencken's quip, “the men the American people admire the most are the most daring liars…on some … glorious day…the White house will be adorned by a downright moron”, and you proclaim “that day arrived”. This is the morning after an articulate and on-point State of the Union address that was surprisingly well received on both sides of the aisle.
Without further comment on your position, I frankly do not get your meaning.
Respectfully,
Thanks,well written.