For those of you munchin' on a Kale and Steak dish covered in grilled Onions...this show is for you. First we have from Mark Twain's "Roughing It," in Chapter 5 the mouth watering tale of a Coyote's diet. This is followed by part of Chapter 4 that tells of the Stage Coach rider's fest at a Stage Stop. Ahh, those were the days!
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Today Ruth reads from "Innocents Abroad." Yes, it's Mark Twain... This is straight reporter writing, and we can all learn from the lively way Twain tells about facts, places, and people. Even information can be interesting and Twain proves it. Read Chapter 14 about the Cathedral of Nortre Dame and the Paris Morgue to for alive and insightful writing.
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And here we are with the Twain version of the "Duel." Last week we did the Dickens' "Duel." It's up to you to compare Dickens and Twain. I delight in the similaries and the differences: Dickens, the Englishman, goes for the lighter "picking away" style, while Twain gets out the "axes." Both go after the need for this Dueling to stop, and it's humor that finds the "feet of clay."
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We can all look back and say "Dueling was silly." Well, it wasn't so silly in the 1800's. This was serious and deadly business. Many men were tricked into losing their lives, and many men were mutilated. This strange duel business had to be attacked with humor. Charles Dickens was one of the first writers to challenge the "honor" of death.
And it was Mark Twain who answered the call on the American side. Often it has been said that Twain imitated Dickens. Twain said he learned a great deal from Dickens. Compare this week's Dickens' "Duel" with next week's "Duel" by Twain. Very different, yet going for the same problem.
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Once again we go to Mark Twain for good reporting in "Roughing It." Chapter LXX covers meeting with a man who had a mental issue. I'll leave it at that, because only Mark Twain could cover this story with truth, compassion, and humor. Not much was known about mental issues in the 1800's so Twain used his reporter skills to record the reality that could be figured out in the future.
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Another repeat show since Ruth had to visit the doctor. The parade float is loosing air but it's still not a pretty sight, not that it ever was. See March 19 for more info on allergy reactions.
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Not only were there good writers in the 1800's, but also today. Dave Jones is living now and writing about the "Cowboy." We open the show with Dave's childhood memories, then move on to Robert W. Service who is always so special. It's a great day for the poets of popular culture.
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This is a repeat show since Ruth had an allergic reaction to some med and blew up like a parade balloon. Thank goodness it's radio and you can't see her today.
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It's all the fun of Twain and Service today. Hear Twain's take on the Ark, and Robert W. Service's take on "The Cremation of Sam McGee." The theme connection is "ark" and "barge." A bit of a stretch but it's Twain and Service in one show. Listen in...
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Today Ruth starts off with Mark Twain's "Letters from the Earth," Chapter "The Damned Human Race." This chapter covers the big discussion about was earth made for man? Then Ruth reads from Robert W. Service, "The Parson's Son."
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