Garrison Keillor: A few midwestern maxims to remember

Key Takeaways:

• Garrison Keillor feels surprisingly happy at age 83.
• He wonders if sobriety or a shift in mindset has prompted his contentment.
• Keillor humorously cites dementia as a potential factor in his outlook.
• Mention of past “wayward ways” suggests self-reflection.
• The article underscores Midwestern values and wisdom.

Reflections on Turning 83

Garrison Keillor, the well-known humorist and storyteller, expresses genuine astonishment at how much he is enjoying his eighty-third year. “I am enjoying being 83 more than I expected to and I’m not sure why,” he writes, observing a “happiness with no discernible cause.”

Searching for a Cause

In contemplating why this contentment has arrived, Keillor offers a few possibilities. He mentions sobriety as a potential influence and also glances, with characteristic self-deprecation, at the idea of dementia. Perhaps, he muses, the realization that “despite my wayward ways,” life seems to be unfolding in a surprisingly pleasant direction.

The Midwestern Mindset

The title of his column suggests he has roots in the Midwest, and his writing is known for its gentle humor steeped in Midwestern culture. Without delving into explicit detail, Keillor implies that deep-seated regional principles—reasonableness, humility, and an appreciation for everyday living—may underpin the quiet joy of his later years.

Self-Reflection and Humor

Keillor’s style merges reflection with wit. As he confronts aging, he employs humor rather than fear. The choice to candidly consider dementia alongside sobriety speaks to his tendency to float between the serious and the playful. In so doing, he offers readers insight into a mindset that balances both acceptance and levity, an approach that many will find both entertaining and reassuring.