Read and spoke at the local Unitarian Universalist Church today. About faith, shaken faith, wandering versus seeking, the idea of universal humility, and how our spiritual foundations shape us long after we leave the house. I also spoke of my gratitude for my children (their presence forces me to examine my heart on a daily basis) and my parents (their faithful example influences me always, even though some might not see it). I would add my wife, who endures my wobbly-headed ways.
Thank you to the local congregation for the invitation. It was a blessing to be surrounded by thoughtful folks open to a multitude of perspectives.
As a side note, because of the nature of the discussion (frankly, I feel in way over my head with these things and suspect I operate at the theological equivalent of a late-night freshman dorm room chat), I was more nervous at the podium than I have been in a long time. This led to one of the most eye-widening “misspeaks” of my career. While attempting to read the following line from Coop,
…an itinerant evangelist showed up late for gospel meeting and crept into the back row…
I got tongue-tied and said “crapped” instead of “crept.”
Hoooo. I’m a guy who’s not ashamed to go for a laugh (oh, and it got one!), but that one left me red-faced.
Neat how a photograph can send me backward…this one from Bob taken at a signing in Iowa City brings back memories of a warm evening, a great cup of drip coffee that morning at the Java House, and sitting on an I-80 on-ramp with the window open to the sound of birds and blowing grasses as I did a phone interview with a radio station back home. So thanks, Bob:
Just came across these photos sent to me months ago. They were taken at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Washington, during the Coop hardcover tour. Photos like this always remind me how beautifully strange this life can be…a couple of hours in a bookstore, laughing and sharing stories with readers, then it’s back on the horse and on to the next spot, and suddenly a year has passed. But when I revisit these photos and see the smiles and heartwarming connections (note two women, one wearing a UW-Eau Claire shirt and another a Point Beer shirt) (specific Cheesehead signals) it only reinforces my feeling that the fleeting nature of the moment makes it all the more precious. This is why I always offer the blanket thank-you to anyone who makes the effort to attend any of my/our events.
A special thanks to the family posed in the last photo with me. They are members of the faith in which I was raised and wrote about in Coop. I cherished our conversation and their willingness to attend.
Thank you to Jim Fleming and Wisconsin Public Radio for the gracious reading of Coop. It’s a humbling honor to hear that coming out of the radio. And for two weeks I’ve been running into folks who’ve caught a listen. One of those things a guy never expected…and as a lifelong cheesehead, even more meaningful.
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