Try to Remember the Kind of September

[NanceGreggs]

I am now in my 73rd year, and I am desperately trying to remember the kind of September that existed in bygone days.

The Septembers of my past were full of Democrats and Republicans readying themselves for midterm elections. They agreed on common goals, and only differed on the best way to achieve them.

I remember my (D) mother and our nextdoor (R) neighbour driving together to a local school to register voters for their respective parties - after which they headed to the diner to share stories about their kids, their marriages, and local gossip over coffee and cheesecake - their political differences being deemed too minor to discuss.

As I fast-forward to our current kind of September, I am reminded that rational discussion is a thing of the past, and division between the parties is not only encouraged, it is exalted by those who see that division as their only hope of retaining political power.

I long for that kind of September when votes were won on the basis of the integrity of the candidates, and their visions of how to achieve a more perfect union, rather than being based on an obvious willingness to abandon the truth in order to stay in office.

And yet, being an unapologetic optimist and a staunch believer in democracy, I still believe that that kind of September I try to remember is about to reassert itself as a song that will not be unsung.

[applegrove]

1. My aunt took me too the military Tatoo in Halifax. It was the year or two after 9/11.

When the pipers marched out with "Try to remember the days of September" coming from multiple bagpipes, we all had tears.

[marybourg]

3. "The Fantasticks", which had been running on Broadway

for 42 years, had to close a few months after 9/11 because no one could sing or sit quietly through that song.

[applegrove]

4. No doubt in NY City it would be harder to sit through that without crying. Halifax

took in a number of Jets and the refugees. I stood in the cafeteria when the Canadian Navy ship left port and headed towards Afghanistan: the navy personnel were lined up along the edge of the ship and saluting. We saluted back. We were all affected but none more so than NY. That song is now a favourite of mine.

[Straw Man]

11. The Sullivan Street Playhouse

I lived on Sullivan Street from 1998 to 2001 and kept thinking "I'll catch that show one day." I ended up moving out of the neighborhood a few months before 9/11, but I still meant to catch the show some day. I was sad to hear of its closing.

Every time I see Jerry Orbach on reruns of Law and Order, I'm reminded that he was the first to play the role of El Gallo when The Fantasticks opened at the Playhouse in 1960.

[elleng]

5. OFF Broadway, and a GREAT show.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fantasticks

[marybourg]

8. Yes, I walked past the theater every day

for years ca. 1980's, but it seems to have been flattened out in my memory as "a play = Broadway".

[Hekate]

2. We seem to be about the same age. I hope we can regain that neighborly civility and respect...

[pazzyanne]

6. So do I, NancyGreggs, so do I!

"I long for that kind of September when votes were won on the basis of the integrity of the candidates, and their visions of how to achieve a more perfect union,..."

[hlthe2b]

7. September 11 is forever now associated with September, though ironically, it united

us in a way that might have given a glimpse of your bygone era--however brief. No, it was not to last given the unforgivable exploitation of the issue to justify unrelated wars, but for a short time...

But, now the worst memories of 09/11 signal a bookmark start to a divisive political season (made explosive by years of Trump) and one that is increasingly year-round.

Fall was always my favorite time of year: an end to the sometimes crushing heat of late summer and a cool nip that brings happiness and energy to my beloved pups. Maybe we can get back to that as focus--even with the neighbor we know to be politically "different." Your optimism is needed.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

9. The Newt forbade fraternizing with the enemy.

Before Gingrich, there were several dirty tricks operators during the time of Nixon who are still driving wedges today.

[Faux pas]

10. Kickety Kickin'