Welcome!
I suppose you might have some questions. I’ll try to explain.
Why is this blog called Trail Baboon?
This blog began in another place with another name – it was part of my assignment to write it. It was called Trial Balloon. When that job ended, I wanted to continue to write the blog for as many of my original readers who would follow me, but my former employer had ownership of the name. So I altered it a little – and it came out Trail Baboon! Aside from that bit of wordplay, we have no special expertise related to baboons.
What’s with the Goats?
There seems to be quite a bit about goats here. Why? Well, a number of the reader/contributors raise goats for fun and (a little) profit. Like any group of people at a party, we wind up talking about things that interest the participants.
This feels a little “clubby”. I’m not sure it’s for me.
That’s your call. The “babooners”, as they have named themselves, are a cross section of society that includes writers, teachers, entrepreneurs, pastors, farmers … you name it. People who read and comment on this blog tend to be civil and respectful towards newcomers, so please don’t assume that this is a private club. They would be horrified if they thought you were feeling excluded. Everyone is welcome. Read silently if you wish. Comment if you like. Our online community is always open to newcomers.
Where is the scene in your header photograph?
That picture was taken in Silverwood Park, which is part of the Three Rivers Park District. It’s located in St. Anthony Village, Minnesota. And there are no real baboons living there.
Trail Baboon 
I’m the woman who drove from Houghton (MI) in a snowstorm to attend the last, gala program of The Morning Show. (I met you in the room where the pancakes were served.) The time when I lived on a farm 45 minutes outside Houghton was one of the happiest in my life, and I know that getting off to a good start with The Morning Show was part of it!
At the last show I sat with the overflow crowd at the church. It was good to be around all the hissing when Minnesota Public Radio was mentioned to know how people really felt.
Of course it was sad, but not a surprise, to hear about the demise of Radio Heartland.
Did you or Jim Ed ever get to the U.P.?
Here is my ulterior motive—the third edition of “Hunts’ Guide to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” is about to come out. You can read about it on Amazon.com, or I could send a sample chapter/file of whatever you might be interested in. Anyway, I am collecting blurbs for the back cover. So far I have our longtime Governor William Milliken and the Detroit Free Press travel writer. But I don’t have anyone from Minnesota, which is actually of growing importance to U.P. tourism.
People have said very nice things about our book. It has a solid but quirky approach to things that is quite different from many travel guides.
I would be honored if you, or Jim Ed, whoever is interested in the U.P., might supply a blurb.
I’m really ticked that I didn’t make more audiotapes of The Morning Show.
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Hi Dale,
Glenna Dibrill, at Risdall Advertising, suggested that I contact you. She was going to send me your contact info, but hasn’t gotten around to it, so I’m going this route.
I’m working on a new program concept … a series of live evening sessions featuring notable participants discussing issues of societal importance. I’d like to talk with you about how you could be involved in this, if you are interested after learning more.
Would you please get back to me? Either phone (612-227-2240) or email (tdmillersr@gmail.com) are fine.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Tom Miller
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Dear Dale,
Hi. It’s late and hot here in Western North Carolina, not good sleeping weather, so I’ve been listening to the final Morning Show show, again and, as always, it leaves me crying and laughing. So nice to have your delicious brand of humor continue on the Trail, though I miss hearing it and so, am very grateful for the remnants of the show which persist. Clive, my latest cat companion, agrees, or would if he were here; he’s outside, roaming around, looking for the baboon. Given that we actually live in a rain forest down here, he might actually find one!
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Sept 11 approaches. I remember the morning show music that you played one year after the event. That program was memorable and thoughtful.
I am seeing offensive t-shirts being sold at a few stores with the logo “don’t forget 9-11” The shirts are meant to reeve up an auto-response from people, not a questioning response.
I wish we had the entire three hours of music that you played that morning.
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Dear Dale,
Hi. It’s late and hot here in Western North Carolina, not good sleeping weather, so I’ve been listening to the final Morning Show show, again and, as always, it leaves me crying and laughing. So nice to have your delicious brand of humor continue on the Trail, though I miss hearing it and so, am very grateful for the remnants of the show which persist. Clive, my latest cat companion, agrees, or would if he were here; he’s outside, roaming around, looking for the baboon. Given that we actually live in a rain forest down here, he might actually find one!
+1
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Am I really a babooner now? I have totally arrived. The blog is just brilliant, Dale. Well done.
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I love your blog. I miss The Morning Show dearly, and your postings are a sweet reminder of how great the program was. I’m writing to see if you and/or your readers would have music suggestions for a unique, light-hearted mother/son wedding dance. My son is getting married in July and has asked me to choose something for us. There are a lot of websites with suggestions of the extra-sentimental variety, but the Morning Show playlists were special to my son and I, listening every morning as he grew up, and so I’m wondering if anyone might have an idea of something appropriate for dancing. Thanks, Dale!!
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Hi Dale,
Just wanted you to know that the wedding dance suggestions really helped. My son and I danced to Willie Nelson’s “Sunny Side of the Street” and it was about as perfect as it could be. The whole event, in general, was wonderful and he and I will now always have a special and fond association with that tune. Thanks again!!!
Jane
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What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge on the topic of unpredicted emotions.
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I believe what you composed made a great deal of sense.
But, what about this? what if you added a little content?
I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your blog, but suppose you added something to possibly get a person’s attention?
I mean FAQ | Trail Baboon is a little plain. You might peek at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create
post headlines to get viewers to open the links. You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to grab readers excited about everything’ve got to say.
In my opinion, it could make your website a little livelier.
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As a representative of the Professional Baboon Jewelers Association of Minnesota, I was to register my objection to your website. Please send your apologies to our office at your earliest convenience.
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Dear Dr. Babooner and your baboon brothers.
Fuck you. I have plans to take out baboons. You are not safe. I am training a 6th grader and mongoose malitia to launch into cape town to take down baboons.
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