WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.580 align:middle line:90%


00:00:02.580 --> 00:00:06.240 align:middle line:84%
So I always like to end with
something I didn't write myself,

00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:07.800 align:middle line:90%
but wish I had.

00:00:07.800 --> 00:00:13.280 align:middle line:84%
And this is my new
favorite found.

00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:15.610 align:middle line:90%
I don't know who wrote this.

00:00:15.610 --> 00:00:16.940 align:middle line:90%
I don't know.

00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:19.980 align:middle line:84%
It fell out of
one of my folders.

00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:23.940 align:middle line:84%
Yeah, I kept the paperclip,
but I couldn't throw this out.

00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:25.590 align:middle line:90%
I don't know where I got it.

00:00:25.590 --> 00:00:29.630 align:middle line:84%
It's a Xerox copy of
a hand-typed letter,

00:00:29.630 --> 00:00:32.759 align:middle line:90%
a real letter sent in the mail.

00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:37.210 align:middle line:90%
I think, my guess is 1930s.

00:00:37.210 --> 00:00:39.010 align:middle line:90%
But I could be wrong.

00:00:39.010 --> 00:00:40.930 align:middle line:90%
I think it's from the '30s.

00:00:40.930 --> 00:00:44.640 align:middle line:84%
And If I could write
something like this,

00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:46.200 align:middle line:90%
I could die happy, man.

00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:49.476 align:middle line:90%
[LAUGHTER]

00:00:49.476 --> 00:00:52.640 align:middle line:90%


00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:53.140 align:middle line:90%
All right.

00:00:53.140 --> 00:01:01.280 align:middle line:90%


00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:03.230 align:middle line:90%
"Friend, Ruth.

00:01:03.230 --> 00:01:06.180 align:middle line:84%
I am sending you a little
something for Christmas now,

00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:09.090 align:middle line:84%
which I made myself, instead
of buying something for you.

00:01:09.090 --> 00:01:10.550 align:middle line:84%
But I could have
boughten something

00:01:10.550 --> 00:01:13.820 align:middle line:84%
if I had a thought
you would rather

00:01:13.820 --> 00:01:16.050 align:middle line:90%
have had boughten something.

00:01:16.050 --> 00:01:17.878 align:middle line:84%
Sometimes people
rather have things

00:01:17.878 --> 00:01:19.670 align:middle line:84%
that are made than
things that are boughten

00:01:19.670 --> 00:01:20.820 align:middle line:90%
because they mean more.

00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:24.950 align:middle line:84%
But I don't see how they can
mean anything more than what

00:01:24.950 --> 00:01:26.190 align:middle line:90%
you can read on them.

00:01:26.190 --> 00:01:28.910 align:middle line:84%
Because when you say Merry
Christmas, and from a friend,

00:01:28.910 --> 00:01:32.460 align:middle line:84%
and so forth, people can easily
read that and see what it means.

00:01:32.460 --> 00:01:34.020 align:middle line:90%
But I hope you will like it.

00:01:34.020 --> 00:01:35.810 align:middle line:84%
I could have bought
you a lot of things

00:01:35.810 --> 00:01:38.520 align:middle line:84%
I seen in the stores that are
meant for Christmas presents.

00:01:38.520 --> 00:01:41.280 align:middle line:84%
Only some of them wouldn't have
been useful, I don't think,

00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:43.430 align:middle line:84%
because they were
made to sell, I guess.

00:01:43.430 --> 00:01:45.260 align:middle line:84%
My grandfather
used to say, and he

00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:48.290 align:middle line:84%
ought to know because he
lived through 93 Christmases,

00:01:48.290 --> 00:01:49.710 align:middle line:90%
and he was usually right.

00:01:49.710 --> 00:01:51.560 align:middle line:84%
So he was probably
right about saying

00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:53.480 align:middle line:84%
it was better to make
something for somebody

00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:54.940 align:middle line:90%
instead of buying something.

00:01:54.940 --> 00:01:58.180 align:middle line:84%
Because sometimes, they had
rather have something you made.

00:01:58.180 --> 00:02:00.540 align:middle line:84%
But I could have
boughten you something

00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:03.570 align:middle line:84%
if I thought you'd rather have
it, like a picture or a book

00:02:03.570 --> 00:02:06.930 align:middle line:84%
or because you're artistical
and some of the things they sell

00:02:06.930 --> 00:02:07.870 align:middle line:90%
ain't so.

00:02:07.870 --> 00:02:11.020 align:middle line:84%
And I'd make you something
because I had plenty of time.

00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:13.420 align:middle line:84%
And all the time I was
making what I was sending,

00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:16.650 align:middle line:84%
I was thinking of you rather
than of how much it would cost

00:02:16.650 --> 00:02:19.410 align:middle line:84%
and whether the store man
needed the money worse

00:02:19.410 --> 00:02:21.490 align:middle line:84%
than I did for your
Christmas present.

00:02:21.490 --> 00:02:23.910 align:middle line:84%
But I could have bought
it just as well as

00:02:23.910 --> 00:02:26.470 align:middle line:84%
not, if I'd thought you
would have wanted something.

00:02:26.470 --> 00:02:28.120 align:middle line:84%
You may think it's
kind of funny.

00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:30.090 align:middle line:84%
I should be sending you
something now instead

00:02:30.090 --> 00:02:32.860 align:middle line:84%
of waiting till tomorrow
or the day after tomorrow.

00:02:32.860 --> 00:02:35.350 align:middle line:84%
But the mails is
crowded, ain't they?

00:02:35.350 --> 00:02:39.730 align:middle line:84%
And trains don't run to North
Attleboro very often, do they?

00:02:39.730 --> 00:02:43.110 align:middle line:84%
And it would be better for you
to get it ahead of time instead

00:02:43.110 --> 00:02:44.470 align:middle line:90%
of too late, wouldn't it?

00:02:44.470 --> 00:02:46.530 align:middle line:84%
And then I may be
so busy tomorrow

00:02:46.530 --> 00:02:48.990 align:middle line:84%
that I wouldn't have
time to make you nothing

00:02:48.990 --> 00:02:51.640 align:middle line:84%
or buy nothing either,
for that matter.

00:02:51.640 --> 00:02:53.700 align:middle line:84%
Although I was pretty
much decided yesterday

00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:56.620 align:middle line:84%
that I would make you something
instead of buy you something.

00:02:56.620 --> 00:02:58.500 align:middle line:84%
Something, although I
could have bought you

00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:01.030 align:middle line:84%
something, if I thought
you'd rather have had it.

00:03:01.030 --> 00:03:03.760 align:middle line:84%
And then if I hadn't
sent it until so late,

00:03:03.760 --> 00:03:05.610 align:middle line:84%
you might have thought
I had forgotten you

00:03:05.610 --> 00:03:07.930 align:middle line:84%
when you were sending out
your Christmas presents.

00:03:07.930 --> 00:03:09.790 align:middle line:90%
But I haven't, as you see.

00:03:09.790 --> 00:03:13.020 align:middle line:84%
And I hope you think
I haven't, have not

00:03:13.020 --> 00:03:16.020 align:middle line:84%
forgotten you when
you were sending

00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:18.130 align:middle line:84%
your packets of
Christmas presents.

00:03:18.130 --> 00:03:20.430 align:middle line:84%
Although I don't expect
much this year because it's

00:03:20.430 --> 00:03:21.700 align:middle line:90%
a hard year, isn't it?

00:03:21.700 --> 00:03:25.110 align:middle line:84%
And we mean, meaning you
and I have so many people

00:03:25.110 --> 00:03:26.830 align:middle line:90%
to send things to, haven't we?

00:03:26.830 --> 00:03:28.870 align:middle line:84%
And then I don't think
I ought to get much.

00:03:28.870 --> 00:03:31.930 align:middle line:84%
But if you are trying to think
of what you would give me,

00:03:31.930 --> 00:03:34.830 align:middle line:84%
don't give me an ashtray
because I have one and don't

00:03:34.830 --> 00:03:37.740 align:middle line:84%
use it much, nor a signet
ring because my room mate's

00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:41.640 align:middle line:84%
father gave me one five years
ago, and I haven't worn it.

00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:43.530 align:middle line:84%
And it isn't doing
any good in my drawer.

00:03:43.530 --> 00:03:46.630 align:middle line:84%
And I wouldn't want two in
there instead of one, would I?

00:03:46.630 --> 00:03:49.050 align:middle line:84%
And I wouldn't want you to
give me anything like a pillow

00:03:49.050 --> 00:03:50.340 align:middle line:90%
because I have two.

00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:53.280 align:middle line:84%
And I wouldn't expect you
would want to give me so much

00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:56.290 align:middle line:84%
as a set of books,
though I would like one.

00:03:56.290 --> 00:03:58.920 align:middle line:84%
But then you probably
have several other things

00:03:58.920 --> 00:03:59.825 align:middle line:90%
to give people.

00:03:59.825 --> 00:04:02.200 align:middle line:84%
And if you don't feel that
you can afford to give me one,

00:04:02.200 --> 00:04:02.530 align:middle line:90%
don't.

00:04:02.530 --> 00:04:03.880 align:middle line:90%
Because I wouldn't want you to.

00:04:03.880 --> 00:04:06.540 align:middle line:84%
But if you are set on
getting me something,

00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:09.580 align:middle line:84%
but don't get me anything
else but one book.

00:04:09.580 --> 00:04:12.210 align:middle line:84%
Although I guess maybe you
aren't buying anything.

00:04:12.210 --> 00:04:14.560 align:middle line:84%
But make me something
the way I did you.

00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:16.110 align:middle line:84%
Only if I bought
you something else,

00:04:16.110 --> 00:04:18.779 align:middle line:84%
just as well as not, if I'd
thought you'd rather have

00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:20.500 align:middle line:90%
something boughten, remember.

00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:24.280 align:middle line:84%
But I had just as soon not
have something made from you.

00:04:24.280 --> 00:04:26.670 align:middle line:84%
Because I am different
from some people

00:04:26.670 --> 00:04:29.650 align:middle line:84%
and would rather have
something bought than made.

00:04:29.650 --> 00:04:34.690 align:middle line:84%
But I guess you have your mind
all made up, so don't change it.

00:04:34.690 --> 00:04:37.890 align:middle line:84%
Although women can change
their minds without anyone

00:04:37.890 --> 00:04:39.790 align:middle line:90%
saying anything, can't they?

00:04:39.790 --> 00:04:41.910 align:middle line:84%
But when a man
makes up his mind,

00:04:41.910 --> 00:04:45.010 align:middle line:84%
like I did, to get you
something I made myself,

00:04:45.010 --> 00:04:46.600 align:middle line:90%
I kind of had to do it.

00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:48.960 align:middle line:84%
Although I had just as
soon have bought you

00:04:48.960 --> 00:04:52.380 align:middle line:84%
something, if I'd thought
you'd rather have had it.

00:04:52.380 --> 00:04:54.850 align:middle line:84%
Please give my love to
your parents and friends,

00:04:54.850 --> 00:04:55.960 align:middle line:90%
if I know them.

00:04:55.960 --> 00:04:59.970 align:middle line:84%
But tell them, tell them
I don't expect them all

00:04:59.970 --> 00:05:01.270 align:middle line:90%
to give me anything.

00:05:01.270 --> 00:05:04.870 align:middle line:84%
But if they were going to
get something just the same,

00:05:04.870 --> 00:05:08.200 align:middle line:84%
tell them they can give me
a book to put in with yours,

00:05:08.200 --> 00:05:11.430 align:middle line:84%
but tell them not to make me
anything because I don't like

00:05:11.430 --> 00:05:13.870 align:middle line:90%
made things so much as you do.

00:05:13.870 --> 00:05:15.600 align:middle line:84%
Though I could have
given you something

00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:17.940 align:middle line:84%
I'd bought, if I
thought you would rather

00:05:17.940 --> 00:05:20.310 align:middle line:90%
have had a boughten thing.

00:05:20.310 --> 00:05:22.346 align:middle line:90%
Your friend, Lawrence."

00:05:22.346 --> 00:05:25.270 align:middle line:90%
[LAUGHTER]

00:05:25.270 --> 00:05:28.770 align:middle line:90%
[APPLAUSE]

00:05:28.770 --> 00:05:35.518 align:middle line:90%


00:05:35.518 --> 00:05:37.340 align:middle line:90%
God bless Lawrence.

00:05:37.340 --> 00:05:38.860 align:middle line:90%
God bless Lawrence.

00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:41.900 align:middle line:84%
So thank you so much
for coming tonight.

00:05:41.900 --> 00:05:43.970 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very, very much.

00:05:43.970 --> 00:05:45.110 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.

00:05:45.110 --> 00:05:46.120 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:46.760 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:05:46.760 --> 00:05:49.570 align:middle line:90%
[APPLAUSE]

00:05:49.570 --> 00:05:50.770 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:05:50.770 --> 00:05:53.310 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:05:53.310 --> 00:05:54.190 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:05:54.190 --> 00:05:55.030 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:05:55.030 --> 00:05:56.920 align:middle line:84%
Thank you from the
bottom of my heart.

00:05:56.920 --> 00:05:59.230 align:middle line:90%
I'm happy to sign books.

00:05:59.230 --> 00:06:00.760 align:middle line:90%
I'm seeing wonderful t-shirts.

00:06:00.760 --> 00:06:03.360 align:middle line:84%
I read banned books,
that's a great one.

00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:08.680 align:middle line:84%
Yeah, we gotta keep the book
thing going here in this nation.

00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:13.140 align:middle line:84%
So every year, it goes up,
something like 14,000 taken out

00:06:13.140 --> 00:06:14.670 align:middle line:90%
of the libraries.

00:06:14.670 --> 00:06:16.780 align:middle line:84%
Anyway, do you
have any questions?

00:06:16.780 --> 00:06:21.060 align:middle line:84%
I'm kind of burnt out,
but I'll stagger on.

00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:24.590 align:middle line:90%
You're worth it.

00:06:24.590 --> 00:06:25.190 align:middle line:90%
Good.

00:06:25.190 --> 00:06:25.970 align:middle line:90%
OK, good night.

00:06:25.970 --> 00:06:27.470 align:middle line:90%
[LAUGHTER]

00:06:27.470 --> 00:06:30.820 align:middle line:90%
[APPLAUSE]