20 Comments
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Melissa Middleswart's avatar

I love your books and look forward to hearing you read aloud each week, also. I like everything just as it is, keep on writing and I will keep on listening and reading. Thank you!

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Joe Kirst's avatar

Thanks for your Voice Mail episodes! Good to hear your insights. Hope you get some tractor time this spring!

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glen grady's avatar

I think of several artist that had the whiff of Walmart- Robert Frost- Norman Rockwell. Grant Wood- Willa Cather, Henry David Thoreau- come to think of it- almost any of the 19th and early 20th century artist had doil understood the importance of having black dirt and cow and pig manure to wash off of their hands. Making a living almost always came before making art.

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Sherrill Anderson's avatar

I am delighted to be connected again with these wonderful broadcasts of your’s, Mike! Thank Ben for his guidance! They are a bright light in these challenging times.

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Ken's avatar

Keep doing what you've been doing. I would have appreciated a bit more explanation of the neighbor being on the tonight show comment....

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Michael Perry's avatar

Thank you for responding, and thank you for the encouragement. Re: the Tonight Show reference, this will help: (I wrote it 14 years ago and a couple of the links are dead and there've been a lotta miles since, but it's still pretty much the story): https://sneezingcow.com/2011/12/14/the-many-forms-of-gratitude/

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Dale Kelm's avatar

If we’re just plain talking like neighbors - when are you going to clean up that mess your dog left in my yard? Also, your work, and words are much appreciated.

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Michael Perry's avatar

I figured if he wouldn't fertilize it, you never would. And thank you.

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Charles Kremer's avatar

You keep doing what you are doing. Having the "missive" experience with someone as REAL as you is something I look forward to every week!

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Michael Perry's avatar

Thank you. This is helpful to know.

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John P. Weiss's avatar

“More inclined to carry on a conversation than win one.” Amen. We could use more of that approach in society today.

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Michael Perry's avatar

Thank you. Yah, I seek that out wherever I can find it.

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Carole Dannehl's avatar

Mike: have followed you for years which are creeping up on me, so I am not so active now. You mentioned your marginalia today, which reminded me of one of those salon types of writers. Maria Popova calls her work The Marginalian, and she moves through a subject smoothly and deeply, pulling her readers through a varied selection of prose and poetry. If you have not encountered her yet, I urge you to do so in the spirit of meeting on the road.

Carole

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Michael Perry's avatar

Happy to report I've been following The Marginalian for years (even back when it was called Brain Pickings ?I think?). It has introduced me to so many lovely writings and thought-provoking observations. Thank you for walking along with me.

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Pat Murphy's avatar

Mike, the only thing better than listening to you, would be to sit across the table from you sharing a cup of coffee.

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Michael Perry's avatar

That is very kind, and thank you. Just finished my first cup of the day!

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Ken Knudson's avatar

Mike, just dropped in to say you and your style ain't broke, so don't "fix" it. There's a whole lot of us who come here for the down-home stuff and presence you provide.

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Michael Perry's avatar

Thank you Ken, that's good to hear. Thank you for listening.

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Jim Shurts's avatar

Hi Mike. Be careful what you ask for! Started reading essays in the Wisconsin State Journal, migrating over to Substack when the column moved. I really like what you're doing right now, a mixture of things. As someone who doesn't write for a living, I really enjoy hearing about your creative process whether it is on a current project (your mentor book) or explaining the process when you do the archive dive. Rambling on is great as well, as that is like a roadside conversation. So to answer your question, don't change a thing (or at least don't change much). Thanks and stay well.

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Michael Perry's avatar

Thank you. This is a very helpful comment. And thank you for following me over to the Voice Mail!

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