Michael Perry's Blog, page 26

Second Language, Second Family

I was gifted this challenge coin after I spoke and shared an evening with a large group of EMTs, firefighters, and first responders last week.

I got my EMT license 35 years ago. In that time I’ve gone from making hundreds of calls per year to a sparse handful. And yet firefighting and EMS have been, as I once wrote, “a consistent part of my life longer than anything else in my life besides breathing.” That includes writing for a living.

And once again the other night I was reminded why I keep re-upping. The emergency preparedness, the public service, the excitement, the lights and sirens, the stories–they’re all a part of it, of course, (and I wouldn’t even be giving speeches like last week’s if it wasn’t for Population 485) but the longer I’m involved the more I appreciate the less obvious aspect, which I wrote about in the Roughneck Grace essay “First Responders”:

 One of the elements of firefighting and EMS service I most cherish is how each of us comes through the door with our own diverse backgrounds and interests—sometimes with little or no overlap, and in some cases outright opposition—and yet within the context of emergencies we all speak a similar language and share a common history. We can speak in esoteric acronymns and slang (“S.A.M.P.L.E.,” “scoop-n-scoot,” “B.S.I.,” “frequent flyer”) and know exactly what someone otherwise wholly unlike ourselves is trying to convey. Should we find ourselves at the side of the road beside a wrecked car, we may not know each other’s names, but we will know what to do, and do it together.

And as I wrote in the From the Top essay “Ambulance Karma”:

…I also love how the fire and rescue world exists in its own little space outside the things I do to make a living…all the writing and performing and running hither and yon, and yet when I step into that classroom and see the legless, armless, BigHead mannequin lying there on the table with his hair that looks like bad chocolate frosting and his teeth that click if you put too much pressure on them while inserting an airway, well then I know that it’s time to practice inserting airways.

I don’t take membership in this group for granted. The event the other night was like a family reunion with my secret family. I’m grateful for their service, and grateful to be allowed a place at the table–and on the roster–beside them.

Keep’er safe.

 

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Lil’ Mike & Funny Bone

Check out Mike (Twitter: @SneezingCow) hosting Tent Show Radio (Twitter: @BigBlueTent). This week’s episode features Lil’ Mike & Funny Bone (Twitter: @MikeBoneMusic).

Oklahoma City brothers Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone, together known as Mike Bone, travel the world as motivational speakers, dancers, and rappers. Though both brothers stand a little over 4 feet tall, what they lack in height they more than make up for with their talent and determination. Through their powerful & inspiring music the Pawnee nation brothers strive to be positive influences for youth, promoting that a positive attitude and hard work can make dreams come true, but getting to that point hasn’t been easy. From homelessness to gang violence, to “size-ist” discrimination, the brothers have hustled and flowed their way from nothing to something.

Michael Perry shares humorous stories throughout on the Big Top stage. If you prefer to watch this and previous episodes, follow this link for all the available viewing options. 

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/.

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Caramel Crisp in Oshkosh, WI selling Forty Acres Deep and other titles

Howdy Folks!

My life as a writer would not exist without indie bookstores. The bookstore at Caramel Crisp Corner just received more Michael Perry titles along with previously ordered copies of Forty Acres Deep. Swing by and grab a copy from them at 200 City Center D in Oshkosh, WI 54901. Phone: (920) 231-4540. Besides a nice little independent bookstore, they also feature a great cafe, ice cream, caramel corn, toys, and gifts. 

They are open Monday – Friday 7:30am – 7pm, Saturday 8am – 5pm, and Sunday 8am – 4pm.

You can also visit Caramel Crisp Corner online: 

Web: https://www.caramelcrispcorner.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bestcookiesever 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caramelcrisp/

Indies, Forty Acres Deep and other Michael Perry titles are available via Ingram. If you are interested in placing a bulk wholesale order (no minimum quantity) of signed copies of Forty Acres Deep (or Million Billion, Peaceful Persistence, and Hunker), please email booksellers@sneezingcow.com for more details.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Warren Nelson & Friends

Check out Mike (Twitter: @SneezingCow) hosting Tent Show Radio (Twitter: @BigBlueTent). This week’s episode features Warren Nelson & Friends.

Warren Nelson began his entertainment career playing folk music with various groups he had formed in his hometown of Fairmont, MN in the early 1960’s. His first professional experience came when his my group Nellie’s Folk played a 10-week stand in the Burning Hills Amphitheater in Medora, ND. In 1968, as they became more and more successful the group’s name was changed to The 10th Story Window. The folk group performed pop tunes of the day as well as original songs written by Nelson, and for the next few years tour extensively across the national which included opening for acts like the Ike and Tina Turner Revue and Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders. After moving to Bayfield County, WI in 1980, Nelson performed across the Northland as a member of the Lost Nation String Band. After founding Big Top Chautauqua in 1986, Warren performed as a founding member of the Blue Canvas Orchestra, and his original productions co-created with Betty Ferris were beloved by fans and are still performed at the tent every summer season.

Michael Perry shares humorous stories throughout on the Big Top stage. If you prefer to watch this and previous episodes, follow this link for all the available viewing options. 

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Cloud Cult

Check out Mike (Twitter: @SneezingCow) hosting Tent Show Radio (Twitter: @BigBlueTent). This week’s episode features Minnesota’s Cloud Cult (Twitter: @CloudCult).

Cloud Cult has a rich eleven-album history of bucking the mainstream music industry in favor of independently releasing music via their environmentally conscious record label Earthology Records.

Michael Perry shares humorous stories throughout on the Big Top stage. If you prefer to watch this and previous episodes, follow this link for all the available viewing options. 

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/.

The post This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Cloud Cult appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Julian Emerson Piece on Mental Health and Forty Acres Deep

We continue to hear from folks who read this piece by Julian Emerson about farmers and mental health and the new book. Thank you, Julian.

Note that Mike will be speaking at this event featuring a panel of farmers on July 18th.

Wisconsin author Michael Perry tackles farmers’ mental health struggles

 

 

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Talking to the Robot

On some specific topics, I am more than happy to train our A.I. overlords.

Side note, where I grew up, “A.I.” stood for something completely differ’nt altogether and whatnot.

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Haircut, Panama, 2006

In a Dale Watson T-shirt and a barber chair designed to run on unleaded, steak, and a pack’a Marbs.

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Gotta Start Somewhere

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I Knew The Poet Laureate When…

This Nickolas Butler profile (read it here) of Wisconsin Poet Laureate Nicholas Gulig made me feel old in the best way…took me back to being the farm kid writing bad poetry in a good coffee shop (where I first met Nick G–unless it was an open mic or The Joynt), let me marvel that every morning I still wanna write, and refreshed my gratitude for the ones carrying it all forward.

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