Sunshine Blogger Awards

To echo Nigel Tufnel, gratitude is great, but—"this one goes to 11 [questions]!"

BACK IN THE ANCIENT of days on Disgracebook, a little wit bit went ’round called “25 Random Things About Me.”

Y’all remember that, right?

Whelp I got tagged by a publisher (local, of course) who ended up using my response because I made it hyperlocal as “25 Random Things About Me and Saint Paul,” which in 2010 got published in the Saint Paul Almanac (and I got paid for it! Money, lots and lots of money)…

Fast forward 15 years and music writer and Substack friend NickS (WA) tags yours truly and StoryShed for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I’m all excited because:

1. I like answering questions.

2. Nick asks great questions.

3. We get to spread the love out across the Substack pond.

To that end, here are my responses to Nick’s great questions. At the bottom I tag 11 people (some current friends, some new faces—let’s go see some faraway places!) and throw down 11 questions of my own.

Sound good? Let’s cook.

Playful, Daytalking otters! (Images here and below courtesy of Jo Petroni.)

Nick’s questions were:

1. Which do you enjoy more, cooking, baking, or neither and why?

The correct verb is did enjoy. I grew up in a family where everyone (even my mother) had to learn to cook at the same time. Dad started with SOS from the Army and progressed to wok stir-fries (over-sauced). Mom could only make burnt toast and chili. My brother and I had to fend for ourselves (he’s the better cook of the two of us). I am probably baking-curious, but much of it would go to waste. I try to cook now for delicious leftovers, eggy, small breakfasts, or not at all.

2. What is your favorite card game?

Solitaire. Just for its name. No idea how to play it.

3. Do you have a favorite bike or walking trail, and what do you like about it (you don’t have to name the location if you don’t want)?

For both biking and walking, River Road along the Mississippi River. St. Paul or Minneapolis side, although I think Minneapolis better maintains the space than St. Paul. I wouldn’t swim in the Big Muddy for all the tea in China.

4. Is there a musician you like and think should be more widely known?

Peter McPoland.¹

5. Have you been excited to get a like or comment from a specific person on Substack?

Getting a yes from one of my longtime musical heroes to respond to mascot George was a big deal, by far.²

6. There’s a quote I love, “If I sing something not the way you’re used to hearing it, and you think I’ve got the tune or the words wrong, then it isn’t folk. On the other hand, if you think I’m singing a variant—then it’s folk.” When you like a song, do you generally enjoy hearing variants, or do you stick with the original?

I LIVE for the variants. Working on a post now that will wrap up StoryShed Season #10. Here’s a taste.³ More to come.

7. Is there a post (either one of yours or someone else’s) that has a specific bit of research or information that stood out in the process of writing or reading?

Yes, the final episode of StoryShed Season 8: America Is a Haunted Place, “Somewhere Under the Rainbow” nearly broke my brain. Why? I had a lot of connection I needed to neatly connect, mostly regarding the American artist Thomas Cole and the supernatural and wasn’t sure if I could do it. I think I did. I’ll link it here, but if readers find it behind the paywall, reach out and I’ll send a free pass link.

8. What is your favorite time of year and are there seasonal produce that you particularly look forward to?

Late summer. Melons. Watermelon, muskmelon, honeydew melon. All the melons.

9. Do you have a gadget or piece of gear you particularly enjoy?

No.

10. I’ve said that earnestness is underrated, is there a minor virtue that you think is under-appreciated?

Thoughtfulness, unprodded. Basic decency and kindness. Generosity, even when you’re a complete misanthrope, as I often seem to be (ahem).

11. If you are so inclined, share a thought about your experience of aging.

Personally? Pain. No one told me about the aches and pains.

Socially? You become that invisible child again, hiding under every table.

---

Guess I’m supposed to hand this off with my own 11 questions to 11 different Substackers—so, gonna try to reach out to creators who’ve influenced StoryShed but we haven’t actually interacted much. That would please me a lot!

Here are the folks I’m passing the torch to (in no particular order and without further qualifying explanation):

Jules

Jon Pinter

Sheila Moeschen

Steven Beschloss

Seth Lorinczi

L.E. Mullin

Mary Roblyn

Ted Hope

Lori Christian

Jimmy Doom

Richard Bryant

MM has questions for y’all:

1. What is your favorite color and, moreover, which aspect of social deviancy attracts you the most?

2. What was your favorite children’s book?

3. You’ve just met someone new. How long does it take for you to decide whether you like them or not?

4. What historical era would you like to have lived in?

5. Who is your favorite musician, and why?

6. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

7. What is your favorite virtue, and why?

8. Which period of American history confounds you most, and why is it now?

9. What is your principal defect?

10. You’re having me over for supper and you’re cooking your favorite dish. What are we having? Do you hope I’ll help you prepare it, or do you prefer cooking alone?

11. Which place on Earth would you like to visit but haven’t yet. Why?

Footnotes and extra texture

Treat yourself to an extra slice of pie this Thanksgiving. Or Lan Lam’s “Peanut-Praline-Chocolate Mini-Pies” (my pref):

1. “Romeo & Juliet” Peter McPoland (2022)

2. “Rainbow Sleeves” Rickie Lee Jones (1983; writer: Tom Waits)

3. “Cycles” Frank Sinatra (1968; writer: Gayle Caldwell)