The story of my life: revised version (Another week, another column)
I’ve bought many copies of Mary Oliver’s poems, Devotions, and on Friday I gave away the last so now I’m ordering more. I gave it to a friend whose description of brushing his dogs’ teeth reminded me of Oliver’s description of a grasshopper sitting in her hand and eating sugar, the jaws moving side to side, not up and down.
He said he uses a finger pad with bristles and a beef-flavored toothpaste and the dogs tolerate it well and the brushing spares them dental miseries so it made sense. Oliver carefully describes the grasshopper chewing and washing its face and flying away and then — I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention …
how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
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This week on A Prairie Home Companion It’s fall and the leaves are changing and we are ready for some colorful music. This week on a classic A Prairie Home Companion show from downtown Saint Paul, we have mandolinist-singer-songwriter Sierra Hull up from Nashville for a fresh take on bluegrass. And Heather Masse is in from New York to sing a few duets with the host; the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, for a little theater of the mind; and pianist and music director Rich Dworsky and the Exchange Street Band (Jonathan Dresel on drums, bassist Larry Kohut, Richard Kriehn on mandolin and fiddle, and guitarist Chris Siebold) with tunes for a crisp fall evening. Plus: an update on all the latest happenings in Lake Wobegon … honey, could you ask for more?
Highlights: Sierra Hull plays “Queen of Hearts’ and “After You’ve Gone” and Heather Masse sings “High-Heeled Woman” and “September Song.” Plus Heather joins Garrison on “Columbia, Gem of the Ocean” and “When You’re Gone, Long Gone.” The host talks with Minnesota farmers Justin and Janeen Wolfstellar; Guy Noir heads to Earl’s Barber Shop for a trim; plus a message from several of our sponsors, including the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce. And in Lake Wobegon, town constables Gary and Leroy pacify Mr. Hoppe with a few jokes. All in all, it’s a pretty good show, and we hope you join us for a listen. The link is posted on Saturdays at 5 p.m. CT each week on our Facebook page. Listen to the Show >>>Like our Facebook page >>>
More about this week’s featured guests
When Sierra Hull was eight, her grandmother gave her a wonderful gift — a mandolin. Three years later, Sierra was standing next to Alison Krauss on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Since then, this singer and mando wiz from tiny Byrdstown, Tennessee, has traveled the world playing her music, with appearances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. Her most recent album is the widely acclaimed 25 Trips. “Someone Like You” >>>View available music >>>
Growing up in rural Maine, Heather Masse sang hymns and folk songs around home with her family. Now based in California, this New England Conservatory of Music alum is a one-third of the Juno Award-winning Canadian trio The Wailin’ Jennys. Hold On is her recording with pianist Jed Wilson, featuring a mix of cover songs and originals like the title track. Lock My Heart is her recording with piano legend Dick Hyman. Beautiful Dreamer is her duets project with Garrison Keillor, featuring songs first performed on A Prairie Home Companion.
On APHC, Sue Scott plays everything from ditzy teenagers to Guy Noir stunners to leathery crones who’ve smoked one pack of Camel straights too many. The Tucson, Arizona, native is well known for her extensive commercial and voice-over work on radio and television, as well as stage and movie roles, including the part of “Donna” in Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion. LIVE tapings of her podcast “Island of Discarded Women” will resume October 10th at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis. “P.O.E.M.” >>>Read our Guest Interview >>>Purchase “Seriously Silly Sue Scott” >>>
Margaret Haskins Durber
September going into November . . . summer brings fall then winter . . . the leaves change, the colors and smells are glorious so it is a perfect time to present a poem by Lake Wobegon’s poet laureate Margaret Haskins Durber that first appeared in a softcover version printed by Jack’s Press circa 1979.
To Fall
O glorious fall that all before us spreads
A brighter world of yellows, oranges, and reds,
To briefly warm the heart of northern man
With landscapes just as fabulous as those by Paul Gaugin,
Forgive the poets who’ve misunderstood
The meaning of these browning fields and frosted wood,
Who write their poems of loneliness and death
Every September, about the 29th or 30th.
O fall that every pasture, forest, grove, and glade
In unaccustomed splendor has arrayed,
Inspire in us that custom, sweet and ancient:
The drive on Sunday afternoon to view exhilaration
And to buy a bag of Winesaps, Jonathans, and Beacons.
Pull from their TV sets those men who, serious as deacons,
Sit in dark rooms and analyze the Vikings’ pass defense
While all around them nature blazes, glows, and gradually unleafens.
O, as surely as the earth makes its revolution,
We must orbit north to Brainerd, Ely, Lutsen,
And as the sun is slower rising, sooner setting,
We angle south to Hastings, Chatfield, Red Wing.
And if the roads be jammed with cars and trucks and choppers,
And if the children beg for chocolate malts and double Whoppers,
We shall mind them not but fix our steadfast gaze
On these bright trees, on this most glorious of days,
Rest from our toil and praise the gift of living
These three months from Labor Day unto Thanksgiving. |
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WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL FALL DATES Garrison’s fall event schedule is expanding.
On sale now, Garrison Keillor Tonight! with opener Debi Smith at three very exciting venues.
Oct. 12 8:00 PM City Winery Boston TICKETS
Oct. 13 8:00 PM City Winery New York City TICKETS
City Winery was founded in New York City in 2008 by Michael Dorf to deliver a unique combined culinary and cultural experience to urban wine enthusiasts. Each City Winery offers intimate concerts, food and wine seminars, private event spaces, upscale dining, and a fully functioning winery. Today, City Winery has physical locations in New York, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Hudson Valley.
Oct. 20 7:30 PM The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA TICKETS
In music circles, the reputation of the Birchmere is legendary. Many careers have been launched from this internationally recognized music hall. On any given night, a star may be born. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dave Matthews, Vince Gill, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and k.d. lang are just a few of the artists counted as good friends of the Birchmere. The Birchmere is committed to the presentation of the highest quality music in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere.
Required: proof of COVID vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours, as well as indoor masking.
ALSO AVAILABLE:
Information regarding previously announced solo shows in addition to dates with the Hopefuls are available on our website. View ALL Tour Dates >>> |
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Personalized Lake Wobegon Sign |
If Garrison Keillor’s description of the inhabitants of Lake Wobegon fits your family, you’ll display this wood sign proudly. The sign features Peter Thorpe’s imagining of what Lake Wobegon would look like (artwork that has been featured behind the stage on summer tours and on the A Year in Lake Wobegon collection).
Personalize with your family name. Up to 12 characters can fit on the family surname space below the word “The.”
Wood sign measures 14” by 36” |
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Get the Sign >>> |
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Nothing You Do For Children MUGS |
| This gem of wisdom from Leaving Home, Garrison Keillor’s best-selling book of Lake Wobegon stories, is for every parent, grandparent, and teacher — anyone, really, who cares deeply about children. Without a doubt, the eight simple words are a big reason all children in Lake Wobegon are “above average.” Quotation is printed on the C-handled mug. |
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Get the Mugs >>>
Get the Paperweight >>> |
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| Horrors: A Scary Home Companion Garrison Keillor's Horrors! is a grab bag of treats from Halloween broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion, with eclectic musical performances and lighthearted comedy from the show's cast of regulars.
Halloween is a time when everyone's a kid again—perhaps that's why it's so eagerly celebrated by adults! Listen to Horrors! and you'll smile, you'll shiver, and you might even take a peek to see what's lurking in the shadows. GET THE CDs>>> Listen to a sample >>> Track Listing: - Halloween
- This Wonderful World – Bats
- “In the Dark”
- The News from Lake Wobegon: The Ethics of Jokes
- “Blue Turtles”
- “The Raven” Listen >>>
- Halloween: The Movie
- Café Bœuf
- That’s Odd
- Halloween at the Radio Station (Disc 2)
- Funerary Verse
- Flies
- Celebrity Halloween
- Little Red Riding Hood
- Buried Alive
- “Creepy Feeling”
- The News from Lake Wobegon: The Do-Rites
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