
Open thread 1/15/2025

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Previous post: Open thread 1/13/2025
Mailing Address for the Blue Planet
Your Say
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Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of
universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I
reach my hands and play with pebbles of
destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs
reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive
in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
The Vault
Take It Where You Find It
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Goodbye Gerard; you are missed, along with your American Digest. Please tell RAH hello for us, and let him know that we miss him too. God bless all my AD friends – I hope we can all meet up on the new playground that DT and others have erected for us.
Really hoping the site doesn’t just go dark. It will be so missed.
So many thanks to Neo (and all the commentators) for keeping it going and producing a book. And hats off to DT for creating a new space honoring the inimitable Gerard and American Digest.
He’s dapper!
This place will be no more soon, so some of us regulars are frequenting the “new” American Digest here: https://newamericandigest.org/
Come on over!
I have a request to make. It is a sincere inquiry. I have a friend who is a brilliant woodworker. Over the years he has gifted me with so many lovely pieces. I used to send him a subscription to Woodworker magazine for Christmas, but have not been able to afford it for the past two years. This Christmas he gifted DH and I with two wonderful hand-crafted gifts. I am trying to think of something that says “THANK YOU. YOU ARE LOVED”. Perhaps, there is a great book on fine woodworking, or some special little tool. Something unique, and especially lovely. I thought maybe someone here might have a suggestion. If you have any ideas please pass them along. DH and I feel this is the year we want to do something very special–because he is such a special friend. He always thinks of me as his “mom”. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
Anne, I have found out that a heartfelt handwritten letter can work miracles when conveying a sincere thank you.
Woodworker?
#5 Jack Plane
https://tinyurl.com/3m64zjhs
Anne – Send your inquiry to Sippican at Sippican Cottage. He’s a classic woodworker and would surely have some ideas – he’s got great ideas and commentary about most everything! sippicancottage@gmail.com
Thank you both for the great suggestions! I am mid level seamstress and could put together a fairly nice bathrobe. Do you think that would be a good response? Too personal?
Do what’s in your heart.