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Postal Pandemonium
Posted at 5:38 AM on December 15, 2008
by Dale Connelly
(62 Comments)
Welcome to Monday, December 15, 2008.
It is estimated that this will be the busiest day of the year for the U.S. Postal Service, with 960 million pieces of mail processed today.
I know "snail mail" is derided and people tend to roll their eyes when the subject of the post office comes up, but my personal experience with our remarkable system of letter and package delivery has been pretty good. And as fast and convenient as it is to communicate by e-mail and through the Internet, much of the commerce that takes place online couldn't happen without reliable follow-up and delivery of the hard goods by the USPS.
To honor our diligent mailbox-stuffers, how about some songs that start with, or revolve around, the receipt of a letter?
I'm planning to play "Once in a Very Blue Moon", "Paint My Mailbox Blue" and "Mr. Postman" today. But it will be a crazy week for mail delivery all across the country, so there's room for this playlist to grow.
Any suggestions? What have I missed?
Comments (62)
I agree with you, Dale, about the mail delivery system. Could that be because my Dad worked for the Post Office for 46 years? Maybe. But I still think the system works pretty darn well. And don't we all feel a little lift when we receive a letter from friend or family with familiar hand writing on the front? I think so.
As far as a song goes, how about "I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter"?
THANK YOU! I have been standing in front of my computer waiting to see what you will play at 7:00! Life is good. I still get to hear Sons of The Pioneers! Now I can go take my dogs outside.
It's 7am....YES!....the Prairie Sun!!!!
No Prairie Sun here, please. It's just wrong without Jim Ed . . . .
It's 7AM....YES!!!....the Prairie Sun!!!
I agree, too. When you look at its volume and its coverage, the postal system does a great job. Compare it to its competitors, and you will see that the postal system does all the hard work--small towns and rural addresses the competitors in many cases won't visit, instead dropping them off at the nearest post office.
And most people don't realize that postal carriers keep an eye on their elderly customers, reporting periods of inactivity that might signal a health crisis.
As for a song, how about "The Letter" by any number of artists?
Glad to see in the comments that Prairie Sun did make a 7am appearance. I'm just sorry I was out shoveling and got in 7 minutes too late to hear it.
That is a must-carry over from TMS.
Good looking playlists, Mike and Dale. Keep it up. The Current disappointed me early on by having only token representation by these artists, so I'm glad to hear them online at least. Until I shop around for an HD set.
As a part time rural route mail carrier, or RCA, in the small northwestern town of Ada I can assure that the postal system is an amazing business. Most of it's employees are hard working and at least in the small rural areas, the rural carriers take care of their customers!
The Post Office in Ada was open at 6:00 am this morning, though we are waiting for the 10 inches of snow to be plowed so the mail can get into town.......
On behalf of the USPS, thanks for the recognition, and mail a letter today! We need your business!
You made our morning with "Prairie Sun" at 7:00!! Please don't drop this tradition..it brought tears to our eyes and got us going, as it always has.
good morning mike and dale!! and i am with amazement able to listen online as you have said actually... but on friday we were not set up w computer nearby, now life is good and well, that 7am usual song rules. thank you.
christmas music yes please and there is some great stuff out there most notably the new "warm december" w mason jennings singing 'santa claus is coming to town' ... the song he sang at the new standards holiday show. wonderful
we support you and are listening always
love, the palmers
Hi Dale!
It's so good to hear your voice on the radio at the usual time. We miss Jim Ed Poole, but you're doing great on your own. I'm listening online, as I did on Friday morning and it's such a treat to listen to Radio Heartland with an expanded version of "Morning Show" type music on all day. I still enjoy classical, as well, but an extra choice of interesting, fun and eclectic music is a great addition to MPR.
I'm hoping you'll have some musical guests on the air with you occasionally ... you sound a tad lonely.
Wishing you the best in this great new venture. Just know that my teenage boys and I will be listening.
Here's a great letter song:
Sonny's Lettah (Anti Sus Poem) Linton Kwesi Johnson
It's good to hear your voice, Dale! I'll miss listening in the car (not quite ready for HD radio), but I'm enjoying the chance to listen to you online.
Letter songs that might fit the tone of the station:
Johnny Cash - Tear-Stained Letter
Leonard Cohen - The Letters
Etta James - Love Letters
Wilco - Box Full of Letters
Indigo Girls - Letter to Eve
Ann Reed - I Write a Letter
Robert Plant & Alison Krause - Please Read the Letter
Hey Dale
You sound too alone ! It was great to have Ms Reed on Friday! I always focused on the conversation, banter, errors and general fun. How about a guest a day ? Just random listeners invited in to share space and fun. Or maybe a team up ith Beth G.
Go with the holiday music. My request would be "Lord of the Dance" from the Christmas Revels. My entire collection went 180 over the years because of this show. Gawd I'm going to cry again.
I priced HD this weekend and eithers it's going to be a donation or new sound equipment. not a good time.
Keep your hear on your sleeve.
joe
A purchase of an Apple Airport Express, connected to my home stereo, has freed Radio Heartland (and other iTunes content) from my Mac and made it available to the "normal" home stereo. I think this might be a more cost effective solution than buying an HD radio.
Also, if you purchase software called Airfoil, you can play non-iTunes content (like Pandora) wirelessly through your home stereo.
Best wishes to Dale on his new endeavor.
Letters are still our windows to the world- I sponsor several children in other countries where there is no email - especially for these children who have never seen a computer. Mail is the only way to communicate with them. I love getting their letters and writing to them (yes - handwriting not typing letters). My mail carrier is very excited - he said he is bringing me mail from countries he's never even heard of. He keeps track of how many countries he has delivered mail from! I think mail is the human touch missing from our computers, texting, etc life. I'll keep supporting the post office - they do a fine job!
It warmed my heart this morning to hear Dale. I really needed the warmth this morning! Computer speakers are better than none!
Where do I get an HD radio adapter for my car? Anyone know? I always listened to TMS during my morning commute, and I really miss that already . . . .
Mail songs:
Simon & Garfunkel - Why Don't You Write Me
Tom Waits - Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis
Thanks for still being there.
Linda in St. Paul
How about Signed, Sealed, Delivered . . . I'm yours!
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter...
And I promise to use the US Post to deliver it!
I'm waiting to head out to the post office with my contribution to the "busiest day" and your tune selection is helping. (But I'm not sorry I missed the 7AM Monday traditional tune. Those guys sang lots of other good songs that we haven't heard.)
I'm still trying to figure out how to take you along on my morning walks. Will I have to download podcasts to my iPod? I don't know how to do that yet.
Good Morning Dale & Mike!
How about the old classic "Sealed With a Kiss?"
It's so great to still hear you on in the morning. I've been listening on and off all weekend via computer and I love the play list!
I would love to encourage the idea of guest listeners -- pick me! It's a long drive, but I would happily do it. Keep up the great work -- we're with you all the way.
On Friday I turned on the computer in the study and listened to Radio Heartland even though my husband wanted to listen to the news in the kitchen. (A lot of different sounds) Although it wasn't the same I was reassured to hear Dale's voice. I did hear the part where Dale said that there wasn't much to announce- no underwriters, no sports and no Jim Ed and I felt a pang of sadness.
Today my son got to hear "I want to be a Monkey" and life felt normal again. It's just an adjustment. Thanks for being there Dale.
I lost my job as a printer this month due to the economy going south but I picked up a seasonal job as a driver for FedEx. Along with UPS we're all out there in all kinds of weather delivering precious packages, complementing USPS, with our busiest week ahead. How about a rendition of "Express Yourself"
Troubling times but hearing Dale this morning gives me hope.
Hey Dale, how about that old song "I'm going to write myself a letter" or at least that part of the lyric if not the title, I bet you know what song I mean!
and for how I'm listening, right now I'm streaming it on my desktop computer, but it blips a lot because I don't have enough oomph on my internet connection.
But I've just received the Sony HD tuner and now I just have to figure out how to connect it to my stereo system and then I'll have you piped all over my house just like I heard the Morning Show for years and years!
Please be judicious with the holiday music!
Radio heartland has been a pleasant reprieve from Christmas music. Seems lately that then endless drone of Christmas carols are used to encourage us to purchase plastic trinkets.
That said, Dale, I trust you to steer clear of muzak.
Glad you're still here - this is the best present we could get this year!
Waking up to classical music just isn't the same. Although I like classical music, TMS would have me dancing in my room. Guess I'll need to train myself to get up, turn on the computer, then crawl back in bed.
Yes, please play some Christmas music! There is a lot of great folk pieces that just don't get played on any other station. A few pieces an hour would suite me just fine.
I just wanted to respond to your question about Christmas music -- I would love to hear some music, but I agree with Krista -- judiciously, please! Let's hear some of the new and interesting Christmas music from "OUR" playlist and favorite local musicians. Loved Neil and Leandra's "Listen to the Angels" (did I get that right?). We can hear all the other typical stuff on any station on the dial -- but this isn't a typical station. And that's why I love you guys so much.
If you could try for a few Christmas music selections each day from musicians that fit the Radio Heartland sound -- it would be appreciated.
It's a treat to see all the other listeners respond in this blog -- I kept thinking I was all alone here! Thanks for everything!
Thanks, everyone, for the postal song suggestions.
It's going to be a long week for everyone who delivers packages, so keep the ideas coming and Mike and I will work some into the show.
Don, regarding an HD adapter for your car, the only one I've seen is the JVC KT-HDP1 unit. There are four reviews on Amazon - one very good report and three not so good, but that's not a very broad sample. Have any "Trial Balloon" readers tried this product? Let us know!
Thanks, Scott, for the report on connecting your Apple computer to your stereo speakers through the Airport Express. One other Mac user in northern Minnesota uses the same component and says it works well.
And Ken, the only way Radio Heartland could go on a walk with you around Northfield would be through the MPR stations application now available for the Iphone and the Ipod Touch. With the Ipod, you would have to be within range of a WiFi network that allowed you to have access. With the Iphone you could roam all around town, I believe.
Right now, MPR's three major services can be heard through this application. We have started the process to add Heartland to the selection. I'll let you know if and when Apple allows us to expand!
Chuck Suchy has a delightful song about his mailbox being shot--anyone who has lived on a country road has seen or had first hand experience with such activities. We love our mail service even more having moved into the northwoods. That, radio, and the internet keep us connected.
Radio Heartland is a good idea but it falls far short of my needs (like listening in the car).
Dale and Mike,
I've still got a smile on my face and a tear in my eye from Thursday's Morning Show farewell. Thanks to you and Jim Ed for the great memories. I'm loving Radio Heartland at all times of the day. The playlist is great. I would like to echo a concern from Kris,though, regarding the lack of a sprinkling of international artists. I sure miss hearing the Gypsy Kings.
Love love love the playlist!
Good Morning Dale!
I really missed hearing the MS go off on my clock radio to wake me at 5:45 today! I was too lazy to get out of my warm bed to run to the basement & listen on my computer. My fabulous husband, Tom, has since hooked up a laptop to the auxillary and now we can hear your voice from the trusty Bose. I also ordered an HD radio from an east coast e-company, it's supposed to ship out today.
On the Christmas music----a little bit is ok. I listen to only one Christmas cd this year--my fave Cafe Christmas.
Thanks for the Nat King Cole this morning.
Kathy
There was a John McCutcheon song used in a commercial for USPS a few years back. That would be a good one, although I can't remember the title just now.
I think I speak for many college students like myself when I say that getting e-mail is nice, but nothing compares to finding a hand-addressed letter in our campus PO boxes.
Isn't there a Beatles song called "PS - I love You"?
Drove to the postoffice EARLY this morning to add my cards to the letters, cards, packages being handled today. I used the drive-through mailbox, and as I pulled down the mailbox door, what should be smiling at me but hundreds of other pieces of mail which were piled to the top of the box. I said a little prayer of thanks for the work the mail handlers do. "Neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night", nor 960 million peices of mail, shall keep a postal worker from performing his or her duty...
How about Woody Guthrie's "I'm Gonna Mail Myself to You"? I agree with your comments about the postal service, especially on a cold day like today! As far as Christmas music is concerned, EmmyLou Harris's CD "A Light in the Stable" has some beautiful carols that deserve to be heard more often.
Hi again! Sorry, I'm new at using a laptop with thisrazy mouse, and I also am new at this blog stuff. I left a comment, but I think it was to a few days ago blog......here it is againWould Mike like to take the Mike?
I Have always thought that 3 of the more incredible things about civilization are the postal system, the public libraries and HOT SHOWERS !
INTERNET RADIO -- EUREKA!
HD radio isn't an option in St. Cloud yet and internet streaming isn't the best solution for me. I use internet radio (Squeezebox). KNOW 88.9 and 91.1 are both available to Squeezebox search but not Radio Heartland. It took a little navigating but I derived the URL that people with internet radios should use to access Radio Heartland and set as a Favorite -- http://minnesota.publicradio.org/tools/play/streams/radio_heartland.pls
I dropped a couple emails here & there. Hopefully this will become easier for folks to find. I'm listening in full hi-fi stereo right now! Now I'm happy. Contribution on the way...
Hi Dale and Mike.
Postal related songs, has anyone mentioned "Fourteen days" by Steve Goodman?
Christmas Music? Go for it, I'd love to hear more interesting holiday music. Here' are some suggestions...
Café Accordion Orchestra - Café Christmas (CD)
The Roches - We Three Kings (CD)
Emerson Lake and Palmer - I Believe in Father Christmas
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Charlie Brown Christmas (CD)
The Players - Christmas (CD)
First time listening to the new show...
Great Job, kids!
Sending a wave and blowing a kiss to Jim Ed....
A very COLD wave and Kiss... but sent with a VERY warm heart!!!!
Dale and Mike....
Christmas/holiday music suggestion....
I just downloaded the Yo Yo Ma & Friends
Songs of Peace and Joy.....
Perhaps Happy Xmas (War is Over) ?
Or really almost anything from the CD.......
The best Christmas present ever!!! I have listened to the Morning show since the time of Garrison and Jim Ed and the thought of losing it was devastating. But now I think this is even better. The last couple of years it wasn't always convenient to listen from 6-9 in the AM. Now I've got my favorite kinds of music at any time of day (though I'm already missing the dialogue between Dale and Jim Ed). I already doubled my annual contribution. Thanks so much to all of you!!!
yep, i miss the chat and the comedy, but at least the music and dale's voice are there for me online....
i'm looking for an HD radio too--maybe do a blog entry, dale, just on that and listeners can write in all their various solutions for those of us technically challenged.
re Christmas, i like hearing the unexpected----would love to have you add some Jethro Tull to your playlist---like Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day, and there's a lovely Christmas Song by that band as well, and Ring Out, Solstice Bells....pick up the whole Tull Christmas album!
also, Jars of Clay has a marvelous rendition of God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen, and would love to hear medieval english choral music, or mannheim steamroller xmas songs...
hmmm, i am listening to radio heartland and posting comments more than i am working.....!
Kay H
There's a great letter song by a little known Alt-American Chicago Band called First Coat. The is "ghost song" as it's original creation was inspired by Conor Loughridge imagining his father writing to him from the after life. It's really beautiful.
As Gus notes above the John McCutcheon song "Mail Myself to You" on the CD by the same name would be a good mail tune. So good that even the USPS chose it for a commercial several years ago. When John performs the song in concert he likes to relate how his son away at college calls him up and says I think I heard one of your songs on a TV commercial.
And I'm not bias towards John M. just because he is my second cousin once removed.
Dude!
RETURN TO SENDER by Ian McCulloch from THE LAST TEMPTATION OF ELVIS.
"Please Mr. Postman"
Mail song: Return to sender, address unknown.
Also, please consider playing the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
I'm with everyone else who has written about the relief of hearing Dale's voice. "You don't always know what you've got till it's gone." My alarm is now set on the classical station (feels odd) and I make breakfast in silence, but when I get to my computer, it is RHL, and I am like a swimmer who has been out a little too long finally feeling sand beneath my feet again.
I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually, but I still get excited every time I come back from a meeting, put on my headphones and get to hear music that I love. RADIO HEARTLAND IS WONDERFUL!!! It makes my day many times every day.
And at age 60, I've learned what it means to "blog". I feel so techy.
This is wonderful!! After a relocation to Oregon four months ago, listening in on MPR and the Morning show have helped immensely in my transition here. Radio Heartland will now fill that spot of my morning (and all day, thanks to your programming).
Thank you!
Speaking of John McCutcheon, I'd suggest "Christmas in the Trenches". Never fails to choke me up. Although (now that I think of it) it's a mystery why, after last week, I'd be suggesting more tearjerker songs.
Do please keep us posted about progress getting Radio Heartland to roaming applications. I'm out in the hinterlands and a high-def radio won't help me. I listen on the computer when I can, but that isn't often. If and when a cell phone or iPod or iPhone or some such will actually get me Radio Heartland, I'll be there.
Great to hear Prairie Sun. Now the week can begin. I would like to suggest having guest artists in often including both those whom we know as well as new artists. Feature some of their music during the week and then have their conversation with you and live music at the end of the week.
I hope the new compositions from the last show will be compiled on a Keepers CD to entice donations!
The Christmas music is such a welcome relief from standard playlists of "other" stations! Keep it playing! Thank you. Best wishes.
Re the USPS, how about playing "The Letter," by the Box Tops?
Ditto to the comments by earlier posters about being relieved to hear "Prairie Sun" at 7:00 on Monday and suggesting that you bring in guest artists to chat with. Best wishes for the new show!
For Mac user folks who want to make their Radion Heartland portable, you can buy a shareware program called "Audio Hijack" and set up auto recordings of the show. Then use iTunes to burn to a CD. This will also get you the show on your iPod. The only drawback is you can't leave the house until 7 or 8 if you want 1-2 hours on the same day. Otherwise, you can record one day and listen in the car the next day.
Anyway, here's some mail/letter suggestions from my current collection:
Brining in the Georgia Mail - Norman Blake
Fireball Mail - Great Dobro All-stars - Roy Acuff song
Sad Letter Blues - Muddy Waters
Letter to My (Back Door Friend) - Lightnin' Hopkins
Love Letter - Bonnie Raitt
I got my pledge in - hope you get the credit Dale! I also sent in an email asking that half of our sustaining membership be applied to your show. Not sure how to follow-up and make sure that happens. Maybe I'll call.
I've got an idea for a talent search...you could allow people to bring in a CD and announce/play one song at the State Fair. Then ask back anyone who sounds ok on the mic.
Keep it rolling Dale - I'm lovin the music!
Dear Dale and Scott Jagodzinski - HELP! I was interested in your comments about listening through itunes but when we went there, we couldn't find radio heartland. Clues?
Carla,
Here's how I pick up Radio Heartland through iTunes... I think it's the same on all versions of the software.
Click the 'Advanced' menu
Click 'Open Audio Stream'
(I believe this two steps can be accomplished by pressing Ctrl+U on a PC or Apple+U on a Mac)
In the box that pops up, enter http://radioheartlandstream1.publicradio.org
That should work for you. If not, I'm sure the folks at MPR will have some official word for you =]
Thanks, Gus!
Not a real postal song-just a postal title, "Little Boxes"
Any chance you still have, "How many coolies can Santa Claus Eat?" by Tom Paxton. I lost my copy?
Thanks,
Beth-Ann
Take a Letter, Maria by R.B. Greaves?
Mail song:
Got a Letter From My Darlin'
By the Memphis Jug Band (or at least performed by them)
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