Hi Jenna, thanks for this lovely piece - insightful and inspiring. Brings back wonderful memories of family vacations and explorations. Great council to follow your own path. The road less traveled often leads to discoveries we didn’t even know we were seeking. God Bless, Mark
Yes, Jenna, this one really hit home for me. I, too, grew up with my family traveling all across this amazing country. I'm very blessed at this point in my life to have been in 45 of our 50 states, and I've personally driven across the country multiple times, and I love it.
This statement from your writing captures the essence of what we who love this country are looking for: "We find ingenuity, creativity, and productivity in our diversity, but only through a common belief that America is the last best hope for mankind will we succeed in this experiment of human nature." Somehow, somewhere, that common belief became not-so-common. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Apparently, we've been poisoned from within, thus united we do stand, but divided we will fall.
I was always a huge fan of Paul Harvey, structured my lunch time to fit the schedule of the radio station where his show was on so that I could spend that precious time listening and being informed properly. Back in 1975, he wrote a simple essay called, "Dirt Roads." I share but one of many links to that, but in it he expresses much the same theme you present here. I'm so glad to see you write on this theme, it needs more attention.
This is wonderful, Jeff. Thank you for sharing it. I can hear Paul Harvey reading it in my mind. It strikes me even more how much we've lost and maybe even how much of a disservice to younger generations that we didn't shepherd this through our time to theirs.
Yeah, can't argue with that assessment. The next few years will be interesting to observe. We seem to be on a good track, let's hope it picks up momentum.
As a foreigner who spent a lot of time in the US, both work and travelling, if you think you’re “on a good track” I fear you’re sorely mistaken. The “stop frame” nature of international travel provides a perspective on change that you perhaps don’t see if you live through it; I’m sure that’s the same everywhere. Fifty years ago I’d have said that the “average American” had the security, and with that the self confidence, to implicitly trust strangers. That’s gone. Now it seems the default is the distrust, to avoid. Don’t speak at the gas station; never stop to help; worry why someone might stop to help. Intrinsically welcoming has become intrinsically wary. I don’t think that’s the American way, at least as I like to recall it.
Now, it seems this is being played out on the international stage. That’s plain dangerous.
Thank you, Jenna. The tale of Americanism has been a wild ride. So much of everything. I pray it does not dilute away.
. I’m very appreciative of the many references and personal stories you give us readers. Sometimes, when I read your articles (and others) I feel like I am speaking it. It rings true to me- yet I can’t create it. So again. Thank you.
It's great to be an American--a Native Okie or Michigander, first-generation or sixth. We all have a common creed given to us through the Declaration of Independence and secured by the resolute who volunteer to serve in the military. Thanks be to God.
“It embodies a line that flows through the heart of every patriotic American,” Route 66, Will Rodgers highway. Man, this is great. That river, that highway, that long walk, whatever road we take, it always seems like we’re always chasing to catch up to something that left us behind, so we’re not alienated anymore. Because no one wants to go it alone, not completely. So glad I finally read this. Nice work. Another photo of the heart.
Ethan Edwards returns "home" years after the Civil War has ended, trying to find what he had lost years ago. He's a different man who eventually realizes he can't go back. Like many artists of the late '40's and early '50's, existentialism, as redefined by Jean-Paul Sartre, influenced the characters they created. Protagonists were alienated from society and tried to escape to a better life Ford's metaphor of Ethan watching his only surviving family member go back through the portal, then turning away, walking toward the unknown desert...still wearing his Confederate uniform... is the most iconic image in film history. Kurt Vonnegut's Billy Pilgrim time travels seeking answers for why he feels disconnected. Salinger's Holden Caulfield leaves the comfort of his home for prep school, and can't make any connections with all the "phonies" that populate society. Jack Kerouac's alter-ego leaves the mundane life in Lowell, Massachusetts hoping that with drugs and alcohol, he can find a new life, new meaning in California.
Route 66 has become a living symbol of all this. Millions of people have driven or hitch-hiked to places they hoped would satisfy their dreams of a better existence. Many did find happiness, and many did not. It's now a 1,000 mile museum of American dreams.
I think people are still searching for something, either to reveal something about life or themselves or both. I hope America is still a place for the searchers and those who have found whatever it was they were looking for. It’s not often easy, but the most transformative and meaningful journeys don’t seems to be.
Great column as usual. It 9invoked memories of 1979 when i got out of high school. A week after graduation I got into a 1968 Pontiac firebird with a friend of mine and we left Santa Rosa, CA and headed east. He was going to New York state and I was going as far as Michigan. We saw a lot in that week and that is when I first heard of Paul Harvey and the song "Amanda" by Waylon Jennings about 40 times as we would switch from station to station. But it was a great experience getting away from home and just getting a taste of what a great country the USA was(and still is).
There is still a lot to see and experience in this country of ours. The last few years I have been visiting the Freedom rocks down in Iowa. 43 out of 99 rocks have been visited and each one is unique. https://www.thefreedomrock.com/iowa-fr-tour/ I think everyone has their own vision of America if they want to go and look.
That sounds like the trip of a lifetime, especially starting out Steve, and a wonderful memory. It's interesting what stands out in those memories -- Paul Harvey and Waylon! Thank you for telling me about the Freedom Rocks. I live in Minnesota and that sounds like a good trip(s) to make with our kids. Thanks for the insight and comments, I appreciate it!
Great post... much like the book "Blue Highways" from years ago. Well done!
Thank you, Jim!
Hi Jenna, thanks for this lovely piece - insightful and inspiring. Brings back wonderful memories of family vacations and explorations. Great council to follow your own path. The road less traveled often leads to discoveries we didn’t even know we were seeking. God Bless, Mark
Thank you, Mark. I appreciate it!
Yes, Jenna, this one really hit home for me. I, too, grew up with my family traveling all across this amazing country. I'm very blessed at this point in my life to have been in 45 of our 50 states, and I've personally driven across the country multiple times, and I love it.
This statement from your writing captures the essence of what we who love this country are looking for: "We find ingenuity, creativity, and productivity in our diversity, but only through a common belief that America is the last best hope for mankind will we succeed in this experiment of human nature." Somehow, somewhere, that common belief became not-so-common. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Apparently, we've been poisoned from within, thus united we do stand, but divided we will fall.
I was always a huge fan of Paul Harvey, structured my lunch time to fit the schedule of the radio station where his show was on so that I could spend that precious time listening and being informed properly. Back in 1975, he wrote a simple essay called, "Dirt Roads." I share but one of many links to that, but in it he expresses much the same theme you present here. I'm so glad to see you write on this theme, it needs more attention.
https://hickeryhollerfarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/dirt-roads-paul-harvey.html
This is wonderful, Jeff. Thank you for sharing it. I can hear Paul Harvey reading it in my mind. It strikes me even more how much we've lost and maybe even how much of a disservice to younger generations that we didn't shepherd this through our time to theirs.
Yeah, can't argue with that assessment. The next few years will be interesting to observe. We seem to be on a good track, let's hope it picks up momentum.
As a foreigner who spent a lot of time in the US, both work and travelling, if you think you’re “on a good track” I fear you’re sorely mistaken. The “stop frame” nature of international travel provides a perspective on change that you perhaps don’t see if you live through it; I’m sure that’s the same everywhere. Fifty years ago I’d have said that the “average American” had the security, and with that the self confidence, to implicitly trust strangers. That’s gone. Now it seems the default is the distrust, to avoid. Don’t speak at the gas station; never stop to help; worry why someone might stop to help. Intrinsically welcoming has become intrinsically wary. I don’t think that’s the American way, at least as I like to recall it.
Now, it seems this is being played out on the international stage. That’s plain dangerous.
Thank you, Jenna. The tale of Americanism has been a wild ride. So much of everything. I pray it does not dilute away.
. I’m very appreciative of the many references and personal stories you give us readers. Sometimes, when I read your articles (and others) I feel like I am speaking it. It rings true to me- yet I can’t create it. So again. Thank you.
Donald, this is so kind. I’m truly grateful and humbled and I’m so glad that we can have these conversations. Thank you so much.
It's great to be an American--a Native Okie or Michigander, first-generation or sixth. We all have a common creed given to us through the Declaration of Independence and secured by the resolute who volunteer to serve in the military. Thanks be to God.
You're right Al. Thanks for this.
“It embodies a line that flows through the heart of every patriotic American,” Route 66, Will Rodgers highway. Man, this is great. That river, that highway, that long walk, whatever road we take, it always seems like we’re always chasing to catch up to something that left us behind, so we’re not alienated anymore. Because no one wants to go it alone, not completely. So glad I finally read this. Nice work. Another photo of the heart.
Thank you, Theo.
Thanks Jenna, a real pleasure to read.
Thank you, sir. I'm having a hard time catching up with all of your recent work, but I'll get there! So brilliant.
Well Jenna, I have put a pause on most stuff, just to get a break from feeling compelled to read other’s poetry. Kinda wears me out.
Ethan Edwards returns "home" years after the Civil War has ended, trying to find what he had lost years ago. He's a different man who eventually realizes he can't go back. Like many artists of the late '40's and early '50's, existentialism, as redefined by Jean-Paul Sartre, influenced the characters they created. Protagonists were alienated from society and tried to escape to a better life Ford's metaphor of Ethan watching his only surviving family member go back through the portal, then turning away, walking toward the unknown desert...still wearing his Confederate uniform... is the most iconic image in film history. Kurt Vonnegut's Billy Pilgrim time travels seeking answers for why he feels disconnected. Salinger's Holden Caulfield leaves the comfort of his home for prep school, and can't make any connections with all the "phonies" that populate society. Jack Kerouac's alter-ego leaves the mundane life in Lowell, Massachusetts hoping that with drugs and alcohol, he can find a new life, new meaning in California.
Route 66 has become a living symbol of all this. Millions of people have driven or hitch-hiked to places they hoped would satisfy their dreams of a better existence. Many did find happiness, and many did not. It's now a 1,000 mile museum of American dreams.
I think people are still searching for something, either to reveal something about life or themselves or both. I hope America is still a place for the searchers and those who have found whatever it was they were looking for. It’s not often easy, but the most transformative and meaningful journeys don’t seems to be.
Great column as usual. It 9invoked memories of 1979 when i got out of high school. A week after graduation I got into a 1968 Pontiac firebird with a friend of mine and we left Santa Rosa, CA and headed east. He was going to New York state and I was going as far as Michigan. We saw a lot in that week and that is when I first heard of Paul Harvey and the song "Amanda" by Waylon Jennings about 40 times as we would switch from station to station. But it was a great experience getting away from home and just getting a taste of what a great country the USA was(and still is).
There is still a lot to see and experience in this country of ours. The last few years I have been visiting the Freedom rocks down in Iowa. 43 out of 99 rocks have been visited and each one is unique. https://www.thefreedomrock.com/iowa-fr-tour/ I think everyone has their own vision of America if they want to go and look.
That sounds like the trip of a lifetime, especially starting out Steve, and a wonderful memory. It's interesting what stands out in those memories -- Paul Harvey and Waylon! Thank you for telling me about the Freedom Rocks. I live in Minnesota and that sounds like a good trip(s) to make with our kids. Thanks for the insight and comments, I appreciate it!