Just wanted you to know. Mrs. Brewer---what a woman--- has become a Christmas common character in my house since you wrote this a few weeks ago. Along with Rick's black Santa, the Headless Wiseman, and the wooden reindeer our redneck neighbor built (that I'm still confused on how it showed up in our house). Thanks for keeping us laughing on this one!
You know, as you mention Santa and good music, it makes me wonder what Santa listens to as he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve. I haven’t seen any pictures of him with AirPods in his ears but he must be keeping up with technology! Just look at all the techno he delivers!
Matt, as a ''long time reader'' i.e. about 6 weeks. ;-) I was shocked earlier in the week when your normal, rational readers resembled a mosh pit on the reunion tour of some 1980's heavy metal hair band. It was only when I re-read your opening that I understood we had been overrun by a herd of faithful Drudge readers. After a quick, painful peruse of Drudge's dreck, I went out for a long, long, run followed by a long, long shower. No offense, but I hope Drudge doesn't select one of your articles for awhile. On the positive side, at least for you, it firmly reminded me why I come here: an interesting, wry take on our current world, along with the acknowledgement that I'm not alone thinking that both sides have gone a little mad. Oh, and add another former Republican onto your subscriber list. :-)
I'm gonna' skip the email thing and throw down my Ask Matt right here...how 'bout changin' "sporadically" to maybe semi-regularly, or there 'bouts?? One more good thing to look forward to among sundry good things that flow in on the 'Tide. (Apologies, couldn't seem to help myself on that one. If it were later in the day, I might be able to blame it on the Bottled in Bond. But it ain't even 1/2 past 1:00, so no excuses.)
Not a drop of musical talent flowing through these veins, but a lot of appreciation for those who have it. Used to listen to music from all over the place. Had forgotten how much I too like the sound of a mandolin. Thanks for the reminder. There's a sweet little 2-channel system sitting in a back room that I put together some years ago in lieu of the cost of a new pickup. Hasn't amplified a signal in a while now other than from the FM receiver (gag) while my wife's back there doing her thing on her loom. Think I'll dust off a little Monroe. Maybe a little Skaggs, with a shot of Stuart (as opposed to Stewart, whom I dig on too, but not today). Would throw in a dash of Thile for good measure, but that would require a signal from this crappy laptop, and going thru that system it wouldn't do the poor guy any justice at all.
Too bad your mandolin is gatherin' dust along with your C-4. If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods, bring it along. (The instrument, not the boom. Got enough crazies around here already.) We can sit out on the porch. I'll put on some of the above and crank it up a bit, and you can pick along. And with the help of a little B'n B, we might both shed our otherwise suitable smallness and feel a little big for a hot minute, all the while annoying the crap out of a couple of the crazies, which I have to admit I'd very much enjoy.
If I ever disagree with your take (occasionally you can be a bit too acerbic for me 😉), your exquisite taste in music will always bring me back. That and your love of nature and dogs. Us humans are complicated and finding commonality has gotten us this far, so I figure, what the hell, lets keep that going.
One of my favorite songs (very sweet and simple) about understanding the "bigger" stuff is James Taylor's "Secret of Life"....
We zealously protected our youngest of three boys about the Santa project. Our older sons went along because it sustained their lost innocence after having been corrupted by
brutal reality.
So the day came when little Rusty asked me if Santa was real, having been brought to question it by his 'filthy' friends. (I love that.) So, in the best tradition of awkward parenting, I asked him what he thought. His answer is a revealing insight into all family relationships.
"I think your parents would never be that nice to you." Well said, young 7-year-old Russell. Well said, indeed.
You realize, of course, that every video or audio link you include sends readers off your email column into the depths of YouTube or SoundCloud from which they may not return. Substack should allow you to embed those links within your newsletter, and not send them away to more alluring twinkling shiny objects.
Just wanted you to know. Mrs. Brewer---what a woman--- has become a Christmas common character in my house since you wrote this a few weeks ago. Along with Rick's black Santa, the Headless Wiseman, and the wooden reindeer our redneck neighbor built (that I'm still confused on how it showed up in our house). Thanks for keeping us laughing on this one!
You know, as you mention Santa and good music, it makes me wonder what Santa listens to as he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve. I haven’t seen any pictures of him with AirPods in his ears but he must be keeping up with technology! Just look at all the techno he delivers!
Matt, as a ''long time reader'' i.e. about 6 weeks. ;-) I was shocked earlier in the week when your normal, rational readers resembled a mosh pit on the reunion tour of some 1980's heavy metal hair band. It was only when I re-read your opening that I understood we had been overrun by a herd of faithful Drudge readers. After a quick, painful peruse of Drudge's dreck, I went out for a long, long, run followed by a long, long shower. No offense, but I hope Drudge doesn't select one of your articles for awhile. On the positive side, at least for you, it firmly reminded me why I come here: an interesting, wry take on our current world, along with the acknowledgement that I'm not alone thinking that both sides have gone a little mad. Oh, and add another former Republican onto your subscriber list. :-)
I And Love And You… just saying
Are you absolutely certain you know what playing the skin flute means per the Urban Dictionary??? Just saying.
I'm gonna' skip the email thing and throw down my Ask Matt right here...how 'bout changin' "sporadically" to maybe semi-regularly, or there 'bouts?? One more good thing to look forward to among sundry good things that flow in on the 'Tide. (Apologies, couldn't seem to help myself on that one. If it were later in the day, I might be able to blame it on the Bottled in Bond. But it ain't even 1/2 past 1:00, so no excuses.)
Not a drop of musical talent flowing through these veins, but a lot of appreciation for those who have it. Used to listen to music from all over the place. Had forgotten how much I too like the sound of a mandolin. Thanks for the reminder. There's a sweet little 2-channel system sitting in a back room that I put together some years ago in lieu of the cost of a new pickup. Hasn't amplified a signal in a while now other than from the FM receiver (gag) while my wife's back there doing her thing on her loom. Think I'll dust off a little Monroe. Maybe a little Skaggs, with a shot of Stuart (as opposed to Stewart, whom I dig on too, but not today). Would throw in a dash of Thile for good measure, but that would require a signal from this crappy laptop, and going thru that system it wouldn't do the poor guy any justice at all.
Too bad your mandolin is gatherin' dust along with your C-4. If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods, bring it along. (The instrument, not the boom. Got enough crazies around here already.) We can sit out on the porch. I'll put on some of the above and crank it up a bit, and you can pick along. And with the help of a little B'n B, we might both shed our otherwise suitable smallness and feel a little big for a hot minute, all the while annoying the crap out of a couple of the crazies, which I have to admit I'd very much enjoy.
If I ever disagree with your take (occasionally you can be a bit too acerbic for me 😉), your exquisite taste in music will always bring me back. That and your love of nature and dogs. Us humans are complicated and finding commonality has gotten us this far, so I figure, what the hell, lets keep that going.
One of my favorite songs (very sweet and simple) about understanding the "bigger" stuff is James Taylor's "Secret of Life"....
Great song
I LOVE you Matt ( in a purely platonic way...lol)
Awesome column, and as usual agree with everything you said...( this makes it easier to love you, obviously, but, I do disagree sometimes too...lol)
We zealously protected our youngest of three boys about the Santa project. Our older sons went along because it sustained their lost innocence after having been corrupted by
brutal reality.
So the day came when little Rusty asked me if Santa was real, having been brought to question it by his 'filthy' friends. (I love that.) So, in the best tradition of awkward parenting, I asked him what he thought. His answer is a revealing insight into all family relationships.
"I think your parents would never be that nice to you." Well said, young 7-year-old Russell. Well said, indeed.
Your ear for language always make me smile, if not outright grin broadly. Thanks for sharing!
You realize, of course, that every video or audio link you include sends readers off your email column into the depths of YouTube or SoundCloud from which they may not return. Substack should allow you to embed those links within your newsletter, and not send them away to more alluring twinkling shiny objects.