When I was in television, I used to make a list about this time of year. It was a list of things for which I am especially thankful. We would run it from the bottom to the top of the screen at a very high rate of speed. Too high to read. We all enjoyed a good laugh. Most of us, anyway.
Even though no one could read it, I always enjoyed making the list. I don’t know why exactly, but it made me feel good. So, because it’s Thanksgiving and because I like the feeling it gives me, here, in no particular order, are some of the things (and people) I’m grateful for this year. Read at your own pace. Family and friends top the list. And then …
My Keurig coffee maker, popcorn, Desi, Kegs Drive-in, Firehall Theatre, the Geek Squad, Samantha Bee, Sirius XM Radio, Panera Bread, Lay-Z-Boy recliners, Hugo’s, Cross fountain pens, Tony Bennett, grilled cheese sandwiches, my VW Beetle, Caribou Coffee, Grand Forks Public Library, Jimmy Kimmel, french fries, elections that are not rigged, Frank Sinatra, 1,000 Degree Pizza, Empire Arts Center, Barnes & Noble, current gas prices, Chester Fritz Auditorium, Arbor Park, Mark Twain, Starbucks, California burgers, Richard Gergen, Charles Dickens, Frank Sinatra, Netflix, snow-removal services, Peggy Lee, Target, Choice Fitness, my Kindle, vinyl, Talent Productions, my urologist, my dermatologist, my family practice guy, my VA guy, my Valley Bone & Joint guys, my therapist, my neighbor’s French bread, Darcy’s, receptive audiences, our financial planner, Dakota TV & Appliance, Hornbacher’s, lawn services,
And, of course, Ginny. Did I mention popcorn?
4 thoughts on “TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — Thanks A Lot”
Helen Murphy November 21, 2016 at 8:11 pm
We are thankful for you and your willingness to share your thoughts in such an entertaining way. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyTerry Dullum November 22, 2016 at 5:25 pm
How nice are you! Thanks, Helen. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyLarry Gauper November 22, 2016 at 10:39 am
Terry…an excellent and comprehensive list! I’m with you on all the items with which I’m familiar. I particularly enjoyed your mention of Cross Fountain Pens. I’ve been a fan of Cross pens since I began my career in business and this affection continues in retirement, Being in charge of part of the employee recognition program in the “corporation,” I always insisted on Cross pens, rather than some cheap imitation. Throughout my working life, I always carried a Cross gold-filled fountain pen and this was the subject of frequent comments by a few wags. I still have it and, when I have to do “heavy drafting,” like writing one of my scathing letters to the editor or some missive to a politician, I always reach for my Cross fountain pen first, then move to the computer after I have a good start. Drafting “cold” on the computer is not as appealing to me as scribbling with my fountain pen on paper. I’m also with you on the Kindle, but my current model is a PaperWhite. Love it! Haven’t bought a printed book in a long time. I feel guilty every time I go into Barnes & Noble, still one of my favorite stores. Keep up the good work on your column!
ReplyTerry Dullum November 22, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Larry… Thanks so much for your comment. I bought a Cross fountain pen earlier this year as a prop. I played the superintendent of Happy Dale in Arsenic & Old Lace at the Fire Hall Theatre in Grand Forks. In one scene the Brewster sister commit themselves to the “home” after 13 bodies are discovered buried in their basement. The play is set in the 40’s and a ball-point pen just didn’t seem right. A prop pen with no tip at all was provided to me but that didn’t seem right, either. The audience couldn’t tell, but we (actors) could, I felt. Anyway, it’s my souvenir of Arsenic and I use it every day. I love it.
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