Comments on: THIS MONTH AT THE GONGUIN TABLE: A TASTE, A TOAST, AND A TEST http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/ Just another Storytellers Unplugged weblog Thu, 24 May 2012 04:59:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Robert Jones http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-385 Robert Jones Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:17:15 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-385 Thank you, Sully, for your beautiful piece about Frank. He has always had such an energetic presence that it is hard to believe he could be slowed by an illness. His tenacity and creative genius for finding and extracting just the right words from his Gonguin-table friends and from his own constructions are objects of envy and go unmatched.. Frank's essays about their discussions always brought his Gonquin table group vividly to life. This month, the group is quiet as its members eye one empty chair. Let's hope that Frank will again occupy that chair and describe Papa rapping the table with his pipe or fist to emphasize a comment many, many more times. Amalgam Thank you, Sully, for your beautiful piece about Frank. He has always had such an energetic presence that it is hard to believe he could be slowed by an illness.

His tenacity and creative genius for finding and extracting just the right words from his Gonguin-table friends and from his own constructions are objects of envy and go unmatched.. Frank’s essays about their discussions always brought his Gonquin table group vividly to life. This month, the group is quiet as its members eye one empty chair. Let’s hope that Frank will again occupy that chair and describe Papa rapping the table with his pipe or fist to emphasize a comment many, many more times.

Amalgam

]]> By: Dave Wilson http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-384 Dave Wilson Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:17:08 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-384 I can very literally say that The Gonquin Table brought more smiles to heart and mind than any other segment of Storytellers has...from the first appearance of Edgar, Mary, Papa, and the crew, I've come to look forward eagerly to that conversation...been drawn in and captivated...and all of that is but an extension of the man and creative heart beneath. Be well Frank, and stay in touch...there's always a place at MY table for you. David I can very literally say that The Gonquin Table brought more smiles to heart and mind than any other segment of Storytellers has…from the first appearance of Edgar, Mary, Papa, and the crew, I’ve come to look forward eagerly to that conversation…been drawn in and captivated…and all of that is but an extension of the man and creative heart beneath. Be well Frank, and stay in touch…there’s always a place at MY table for you.

David

]]> By: Teresa http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-383 Teresa Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:00:55 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-383 When words fail but are all we have, what is there to say? I hope the day comes again when I can evesdrop on the wisdom of the Gonguin Table, Frank. One of my most favourite places; I look forward to my visits always. Thank you so much, Sully, for your words today. It cannot have been easy. Hugs to you both, Terry When words fail but are all we have, what is there to say? I hope the day comes again when I can evesdrop on the wisdom of the Gonguin Table, Frank. One of my most favourite places; I look forward to my visits always.

Thank you so much, Sully, for your words today. It cannot have been easy.

Hugs to you both,

Terry

]]> By: Thomas Sullivan http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Thomas Sullivan Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:02:58 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-382 For those of you who may not know, Denise and Sheri (e-mails above) are two-thirds of the Wydra adult children, Tom being the third. As you can see from Sheri's email, Flamingo Frank is keeping tabs on what is posted here. I'm just as sure that he is maintaining his buoyant demeanor as the family cheerleader. So, hey, Flamingo, just want you to know that I am dictating this with voice activation and Dragon NaturallySpeaking typed Flamenco when I said Flamingo. Flamenco Frank. Not a pretty picture. In good health or bad, I can't picture you dancing with a rose between your teeth. And I don't remember ever seeing Karen with open-toed shoes. But if you want to make a liar out of me, go ahead. ... And yeah, Brian, instant brothers are the best kind. Ink bros -- the indelible kind. -- Sully For those of you who may not know, Denise and Sheri (e-mails above) are two-thirds of the Wydra adult children, Tom being the third. As you can see from Sheri’s email, Flamingo Frank is keeping tabs on what is posted here. I’m just as sure that he is maintaining his buoyant demeanor as the family cheerleader. So, hey, Flamingo, just want you to know that I am dictating this with voice activation and Dragon NaturallySpeaking typed Flamenco when I said Flamingo. Flamenco Frank. Not a pretty picture. In good health or bad, I can’t picture you dancing with a rose between your teeth. And I don’t remember ever seeing Karen with open-toed shoes. But if you want to make a liar out of me, go ahead. … And yeah, Brian, instant brothers are the best kind. Ink bros — the indelible kind.

– Sully

]]> By: Sheri Wydra http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-380 Sheri Wydra Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:23:41 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-380 Thanks Sully. Dad asked, so I have printed your words and will go read it to him. Thanks Sully. Dad asked, so I have printed your words and will go read it to him.

]]> By: Brian Hodge http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-379 Brian Hodge Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:39:45 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-379 Aww, Frank. All this comes as a deflating surprise. Here’s hoping the Round Table will convene again, and continue its sterling track record of discourse, insight, and delight. I can only second the well-wishes already extended above, and that they follow you along whatever path the coming weeks and months bring. And you, Sully. I can’t fully imagine how tough this one must have been to write. Your line about an ‘instant brother’ … I’ve got a pair of those myself, and no other shorthand could have conveyed the depth of your bond any better, or twanged any louder chord of empathy. Aww, Frank. All this comes as a deflating surprise. Here’s hoping the Round Table will convene again, and continue its sterling track record of discourse, insight, and delight. I can only second the well-wishes already extended above, and that they follow you along whatever path the coming weeks and months bring.

And you, Sully. I can’t fully imagine how tough this one must have been to write. Your line about an ‘instant brother’ … I’ve got a pair of those myself, and no other shorthand could have conveyed the depth of your bond any better, or twanged any louder chord of empathy.

]]> By: Denise Wydra http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-378 Denise Wydra Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:51:47 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-378 Thanks, Sully. Thanks, Sully.

]]> By: Janet Berliner http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-376 Janet Berliner Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:26:04 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-376 Dear, Dear Frank--This is unacceptable. We need you. The first time I was told that it was unlikely, if not impossible, for me to make it, I asked for a visit from a Rabbi...and a Priest, a Monk, and one of every other faith that came to mind. Hey. Doesn't hurt to cover all of your bases. If nothing else, it will be a good story to merge into your next Gonquin blog. I wish I could do more than send you and your family my love and my prayers. --Janet Dear, Dear Frank–This is unacceptable. We need you. The first time I was told that it was unlikely, if not impossible, for me to make it, I asked for a visit from a Rabbi…and a Priest, a Monk, and one of every other faith that came to mind. Hey. Doesn’t hurt to cover all of your bases. If nothing else, it will be a good story to merge into your next Gonquin blog. I wish I could do more than send you and your family my love and my prayers. –Janet

]]> By: Alexandra Sokoloff http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-381 Alexandra Sokoloff Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:01:15 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-381 Frank, I wish you light, love, comfort and peace. Frank, I wish you light, love, comfort and peace.

]]> By: Rick Steinberg http://storytellersunplugged.com/thomassullivan/2008/04/13/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test/comment-page-1/#comment-377 Rick Steinberg Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:40:34 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/this-month-at-the-gonguin-table-a-taste-a-toast-and-a-test#comment-377 Dearest Frank, the words escape me; a rare moment in my life. All but these: Believe! Oh, dear spirit, please . . . believe! You have pulled off the finest - and rarest - illusion of them all. You have made the world you touched (and you have touched so much of it) a better, more splendid and civillizrd (where civility is prefarable to barbarity) place to live. Please continue to do so for much longer. The world is dark enough, without taking your light from us. But if the Gonquin Table does finally call, raise a glass with Mary and Edgar and even Bram (who you might have to convince with something other than wine) to those of us Storytellers who still struggle on. Struggle . . . to live up to the exampple you have set and are setting for us. Believe, Frank. Just Believe. The rest is silence. Rick Steinberg, your friend and accolyte Dearest Frank, the words escape me; a rare moment in my life. All but these:

Believe! Oh, dear spirit, please . . . believe!

You have pulled off the finest – and rarest – illusion of them all. You have made the world you touched (and you have touched so much of it) a better, more splendid and civillizrd (where civility is prefarable to barbarity) place to live.

Please continue to do so for much longer. The world is dark enough, without taking your light from us.

But if the Gonquin Table does finally call, raise a glass with Mary and Edgar and even Bram (who you might have to convince with something other than wine) to those of us Storytellers who still struggle on.

Struggle . . . to live up to the exampple you have set and are setting for us.

Believe, Frank. Just Believe.

The rest is silence.

Rick Steinberg, your friend and accolyte

]]>