Thanks for the blast from the past. I used to watch these kinds of films in grade school. Loved the shot of the old Studebaker. Makes you realize how far we've come. Just not sure it's in the right direction. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving, whether you're having turkey or not.
Thanks for posting this, Nathan. I must admit… at first, I chuckled a bit. Seemed so naive and pie-in-the-sky, but sometimes, I wish things were that simple.
Like Chuck H., I'm not always sure we've progressed in the right direction, but I take heart that I'm still thankful for a lot of the same things that the "Johnsons" were thankful for – family, friends, libraries, the chance for a good education, and the freedom to think and believe whatever I want, at least in America. At least for now.
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan. Thanks for all you do to inform writers or the ins and outs of the publishing biz. May your holiday be filled with joy and laughter.
What a strange and curious world we live in. Thank you, Nathan, and others here, for free speech, help for each other as we write on, and the chuckles (wow, now there is a word from the past). Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks for the clip, Nathan. It brought a wee tear to me eye.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you, and to all who come here each day to share in the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs, the highs and lows we counter in this journey as writers.
I hope everyone's had a delightful Thanksgiving. I'm now enjoying my food coma while watching my favorite TV show with my girlfriend passed out next to me. So short form: My Thanksgiving has been good. Really do love Thanksgiving though. Second favorite holiday. Favorite, of course, is in 28 days. I just hope there aren't any zombies 😮
Thank you for posting this wonderful video. It reminds me of the movie, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, one of my favorite movies ever. Watching the video made me sad in a way, for what we’ve recently lost in the United States: a strong middle class, valuing the work of the middle class and not paying others slave wages to accomplish it. But, no matter what, one possibility is still there for us to value and practice: investing time in our families and communities. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here, to you and your families!
Thought I'd mention that I saw THE ROAD in the movie theater yesterday. I thought it was excellent! It stayed very true to the book. Viggo Mortensen played the Man and Kodi Smit-McPhee played the Boy, and they were incredible!
I love these old films. What's wonderful to me is that they are available on You Tube. Beats tracking them down. What amazes me too is that so few folks comment on the propaganda factor. Where's the outrage? Why doesn't this family have a turkey? Could it be that they really don't live in a democracy? Could it be they are under the illusion that the "Captains of Industry" really care about them? Could it be that somebody's interests are served if they don't ask these questions? After you get past the hokey dialogue, they aren't really all that different from much of the pablum we're being offered all the time. Hope I'm not "too political" for some here, but remember, "even your sandwich is political."
"It is not just the innocent that helps us write. It is also the warrior. The innocent creates these lovely things and looks up wide-eyed and says, Look! Isn't it beautiful? The warrior sharpens her arrows deep into the night, checks her armor, practices the kill shot, surveys the opposition, steels herself against fear."–Cary Tennis
Bryan D says
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Nathan! Thanks for the blog.
Chuck H. says
Thanks for the blast from the past. I used to watch these kinds of films in grade school. Loved the shot of the old Studebaker. Makes you realize how far we've come. Just not sure it's in the right direction. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving, whether you're having turkey or not.
Laura Martone says
Thanks for posting this, Nathan. I must admit… at first, I chuckled a bit. Seemed so naive and pie-in-the-sky, but sometimes, I wish things were that simple.
Like Chuck H., I'm not always sure we've progressed in the right direction, but I take heart that I'm still thankful for a lot of the same things that the "Johnsons" were thankful for – family, friends, libraries, the chance for a good education, and the freedom to think and believe whatever I want, at least in America. At least for now.
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan!
Tina says
At work, can't see everything on the page, but happy Thanksgiving to you from across the Atlantic!
Frankie Diane Mallis says
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Ellen B says
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan – also from across the Atlantic 🙂
Thanks for blogging, and thanks for making me write an uncharacteristically cheery blog post today!
Kristi says
Happy Thanksgiving Nathan! 🙂
DebraLSchubert says
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan. Thanks for all you do to inform writers or the ins and outs of the publishing biz. May your holiday be filled with joy and laughter.
David Kubicek says
Thanks for the film clip, Nathan. Happy Thanksgiving!
Rick Daley says
Happy Thanksgiving Nathan, and thanks for all the help and encouragement you've provided to so many…
Mira says
I love that film. Amusing and a thoughtful reminder at the heart of it.
Thanks for everything, Nathan.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Anonymous says
What a strange and curious world we live in.
Thank you, Nathan, and others here, for free speech, help for each other as we write on, and the chuckles (wow, now there is a word from the past).
Happy Thanksgiving.
Pam says
Thanks for the clip, Nathan. It brought a wee tear to me eye.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you, and to all who come here each day to share in the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs, the highs and lows we counter in this journey as writers.
Nick says
I hope everyone's had a delightful Thanksgiving. I'm now enjoying my food coma while watching my favorite TV show with my girlfriend passed out next to me. So short form: My Thanksgiving has been good. Really do love Thanksgiving though. Second favorite holiday. Favorite, of course, is in 28 days. I just hope there aren't any zombies 😮
Emily White says
Happy Thanksgiving!
Beth Terrell says
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan. I hope you're having a warm and delightful holiday with your loved ones.
doctorquery says
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan.
Cool film.
Marilyn Peake says
Thank you for posting this wonderful video. It reminds me of the movie, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, one of my favorite movies ever. Watching the video made me sad in a way, for what we’ve recently lost in the United States: a strong middle class, valuing the work of the middle class and not paying others slave wages to accomplish it. But, no matter what, one possibility is still there for us to value and practice: investing time in our families and communities. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here, to you and your families!
Laurie says
That was excellent!!! Can't always have what we want…we must practice wanting what we have!!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!!! Laurie
AM says
Nathan – Happy Thanksgiving.
I appreciate you taking the time to host a blog. Thank you.
A says
Ir's a wonderful life, and your blog makes it worth living!
Thanks Nathan. You're the best!!
What's the emoticon for ironic undertones, again? Insert that here.
Gee whiz, Nathan, you're the best. Did I say that already?Wow!!!
With sincerity I bid you:
Aloha,
Annie Fanning
kd easley says
Happy Thanksgiving, Nathan.
Nancy Coffelt says
As a longtime fan of Mystery Science Theater, I'm sucker for these films.
But I can't say I agree with Mr. Johnson in the short. I would NOT be thankful if the person at my door was a bill collector.
Marilyn Peake says
Thought I'd mention that I saw THE ROAD in the movie theater yesterday. I thought it was excellent! It stayed very true to the book. Viggo Mortensen played the Man and Kodi Smit-McPhee played the Boy, and they were incredible!
Elaine 'still writing' Smith says
Thankful, indeed!
Happy Thanksgiving holiday to you all.
RESEARCH BREAK:
Thanksgiving is always held on Thursday?
(It's the simplest of things that don't register)
Happy Holidays!
Marla Warren says
Hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving, Nathan!
Blues Greene says
I love these old films. What's wonderful to me is that they are available on You Tube. Beats tracking them down. What amazes me too is that so few folks comment on the propaganda factor. Where's the outrage? Why doesn't this family have a turkey? Could it be that they really don't live in a democracy? Could it be they are under the illusion that the "Captains of Industry" really care about them? Could it be that somebody's interests are served if they don't ask these questions? After you get past the hokey dialogue, they aren't really all that different from much of the pablum we're being offered all the time. Hope I'm not "too political" for some here, but remember, "even your sandwich is political."
holly says
happy thanksgiving!
Kathryn Magendie says
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving . . . *smiling*
abc says
Rejected novelist gets advice (and comfort) from Cary Tennis at Salon:
https://www.salon.com/life/since_you_asked/index.html?story=/mwt/col/tenn/2009/11/29/rejected_novel
"It is not just the innocent that helps us write. It is also the warrior. The innocent creates these lovely things and looks up wide-eyed and says, Look! Isn't it beautiful? The warrior sharpens her arrows deep into the night, checks her armor, practices the kill shot, surveys the opposition, steels herself against fear."–Cary Tennis
Love that guy!