Re Andy Hickman's vagabond years (and also his upcoming explorations as half of a married couple): a quote from writer EB White - "There is a period near the beginning of every man's life when he has little to cling to except his unmanageable dream, little to support him except good health, and nowhere to go but all over the place." Here's to Andy and Keturah's dreams, their good health, and their journey all over the place.
It’s interesting writing, but is it possible to seek American authenticity without shitting on your American neighbors? There’s a lot of genuine living and dying, dreaming and struggling in those cities and suburbs he seems to regard as some kind of bourgeois hellhole. As a lifelong dropout from mainstream culture, I’m willing to bet he doesn’t actually know the first thing about it. I don’t so loathe myself as to accept this as some kind of noble poetry, nor do I loathe him enough to put down his lifestyle which makes no sense to me. Maybe part of America’s bones (which, lest we forget, were made by those fleeing the persecuting judgment of their lifestyle) is in not judging another man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.
Exquisite writing, and I look forward to following the series of articles, but I have to agree that there's more to the story than just the open road and eschewing the urban in the experience. America exists there too.
You will find what you are looking for. If it is love or hate, you will find it. If it is opulence or squalor, you will find it. If you look out and see God’s glory or look out and see vast wastelands, it is up to you. I wish you luck and I hope you see the good in all the people (ok, most of them.) If you drop into Kentucky, head to Hustonville and see a really small town and beautiful surroundings.
The article is fascinating! Suggest that Andy & Keturah consider visiting Albany, Texas (population ~1,800). It is a wonderful community in West-Central Texas, with traditional values and a strong appreciation of of its history. This December 14 & 15, the Community will enact a Nativity Play, which was written (including original music) by a local citizen, Robert Nail. If you choose and are able to come to Albany, am confident you will be thankful you visited our town.
I wanted to enjoy this, but when it got to the God parts - I just lost interest. I'm no bitter atheist ... well ... I am an atheist, just not the bitter kind. At least I hope not. Nah, I know I'm not. I live in a 100+ year-old converted church, am surrounded by Caravaggio prints and other religious relics, and I have Peter Paul Rueben's Saint Michael Expelling the Devil tattooed on my lower forearm.
So it's not "God" I'm rebelling against. I have quite a fondness for the aesthetics of religion (after all, the church had all the money - so of course they commissioned the most beautiful art and architecture).
It's more that there was a pureness to this exposé - and then the all too terrestrial origins of religion crept in. And that made it feel a little too campy for me - less existential and more local. But maybe I'm just tired and hungover from the holiday weekend, I'll try and read some more when my fog dissipates.
I love the Free Press , not just for its ability to open up the middle of collective identity that so many of us craved after years in the right or left hardline mainstream media.
The FP chooses to be both timely, personal without pretense, always seeking for truth, or at least aspiring to find truth, and it’s up to us, in fact incumbent upon us, its readers, to follow the journey to real truth . That includes Bari, Nellie and their intrepid group of reporters , interview subjects and debaters.
Just because the FP chooses to include the brilliant writer AM Hickman, does not mean they are abandoning topical news. Instead they are seeking out original content that offers up alternative and fascinating content that keeps us thinking, not despairing, and certainly not stale groupthink.
Bravo again and again to Bari, Nellie and their team!
Looking forward to following your journey through early married life. I'd like to clarify for your readers that your Catholic faith forbids contraception, but encourages family planning. Natural family planning such as the Billings Ovulation Method is a beautiful part of marriage. I pray yours will be faithful, joyful, and fruitful. Cheers!
If you want to fall in love with America you should move overseas.
Re Andy Hickman's vagabond years (and also his upcoming explorations as half of a married couple): a quote from writer EB White - "There is a period near the beginning of every man's life when he has little to cling to except his unmanageable dream, little to support him except good health, and nowhere to go but all over the place." Here's to Andy and Keturah's dreams, their good health, and their journey all over the place.
It’s interesting writing, but is it possible to seek American authenticity without shitting on your American neighbors? There’s a lot of genuine living and dying, dreaming and struggling in those cities and suburbs he seems to regard as some kind of bourgeois hellhole. As a lifelong dropout from mainstream culture, I’m willing to bet he doesn’t actually know the first thing about it. I don’t so loathe myself as to accept this as some kind of noble poetry, nor do I loathe him enough to put down his lifestyle which makes no sense to me. Maybe part of America’s bones (which, lest we forget, were made by those fleeing the persecuting judgment of their lifestyle) is in not judging another man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.
Exquisite writing, and I look forward to following the series of articles, but I have to agree that there's more to the story than just the open road and eschewing the urban in the experience. America exists there too.
Come to Blaine, Washington. Please
Really enjoyed this. Looking forward to much more. Thank you!
You will find what you are looking for. If it is love or hate, you will find it. If it is opulence or squalor, you will find it. If you look out and see God’s glory or look out and see vast wastelands, it is up to you. I wish you luck and I hope you see the good in all the people (ok, most of them.) If you drop into Kentucky, head to Hustonville and see a really small town and beautiful surroundings.
The article is fascinating! Suggest that Andy & Keturah consider visiting Albany, Texas (population ~1,800). It is a wonderful community in West-Central Texas, with traditional values and a strong appreciation of of its history. This December 14 & 15, the Community will enact a Nativity Play, which was written (including original music) by a local citizen, Robert Nail. If you choose and are able to come to Albany, am confident you will be thankful you visited our town.
Chills, chills it gave me... of a good kind. "the bones of America are good" indeed! Hallelujah!
I wanted to enjoy this, but when it got to the God parts - I just lost interest. I'm no bitter atheist ... well ... I am an atheist, just not the bitter kind. At least I hope not. Nah, I know I'm not. I live in a 100+ year-old converted church, am surrounded by Caravaggio prints and other religious relics, and I have Peter Paul Rueben's Saint Michael Expelling the Devil tattooed on my lower forearm.
So it's not "God" I'm rebelling against. I have quite a fondness for the aesthetics of religion (after all, the church had all the money - so of course they commissioned the most beautiful art and architecture).
It's more that there was a pureness to this exposé - and then the all too terrestrial origins of religion crept in. And that made it feel a little too campy for me - less existential and more local. But maybe I'm just tired and hungover from the holiday weekend, I'll try and read some more when my fog dissipates.
This has the lapidary quality of scripture, beautiful and true.
Amazing
This is a welcome read I hope to follow it
I love the Free Press , not just for its ability to open up the middle of collective identity that so many of us craved after years in the right or left hardline mainstream media.
The FP chooses to be both timely, personal without pretense, always seeking for truth, or at least aspiring to find truth, and it’s up to us, in fact incumbent upon us, its readers, to follow the journey to real truth . That includes Bari, Nellie and their intrepid group of reporters , interview subjects and debaters.
Just because the FP chooses to include the brilliant writer AM Hickman, does not mean they are abandoning topical news. Instead they are seeking out original content that offers up alternative and fascinating content that keeps us thinking, not despairing, and certainly not stale groupthink.
Bravo again and again to Bari, Nellie and their team!
Spectacular read and life perspective.
Amen.
Looking forward to following your journey through early married life. I'd like to clarify for your readers that your Catholic faith forbids contraception, but encourages family planning. Natural family planning such as the Billings Ovulation Method is a beautiful part of marriage. I pray yours will be faithful, joyful, and fruitful. Cheers!