All the programs are above average

I love The Writer's Almanac. It comes on my local NPR station at 8:34 every morning, which, if things are going okay, is about the time I get on the freeway to head to work.

The Almanac is a simple little program—it's just Garrison Keillor reading about the history of writers. Their lives, their deaths, their work. Sometimes he throws in historical tidbits that have nothing to do with literature. His voice is smooth and slow, but not drawling.

He reads a poem in almost every program. He's a good reader, but not outstanding—sometimes his inflections aren't quite right for the scan of the line, sometimes he forgets to put that little pause in at the end of the line—but his tone is so comforting that I will forgive him almost anything.

Even if I couldn't forgive his minescule imperfections, I would still listen to the Almanac for the line Keillor delivers without fail at the end of every program, in the tone of an affectionate uncle. "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch." It's a little benediction for the work day, and I inevitably feel strengthened when I hear him say it. I am well, I can do good work, I will keep in touch.

Thanks, Garrison.