Hey Wilson, I'm a fellow Carolinian who grew up in the rural areas and I think you are a hero! Most of the skilled labor type jobs left years and years ago. You did your part in a tricky time in NC economic history, and 50 people who created families, bought houses, and fed kids on the income you provided will be forever grateful. Big hugs.
Great mail bucket as usual but Welch mentioning “witnessing an unspeakable pornographic world record in Barcelona circa 1997” is kind of burying the lede. Inquiring minds…
I literally have tears in my eyes over Wilson’s email but I agree with Matt’s beautiful comments that you and your dad! Built something beautiful and worthy and you should be very proud, doing so much for so long that many of us could never even start. Sending wishes and warm thoughts and gratitude to you Wilson.
Good lord- All the feels… I am sobbing reading this while sitting here taking care of my ailing mother in law. The woman who taught me to cook, wisely pick battles, and how to be generous and loving. (I fall very short) She is truly an awesome woman and I can’t stand the idea of her not being around. Love you guys and the fifthdom.
Wilson, when I saw the first image of this post, I was sure hoping for a happy message to follow it. Silly me, perhaps, but we can all use a bit of brightness these days. I spent 19 years working in hardwood sawmills here in SE Ohio and wished the video of the last log could have incorporated the fragrance of green sawdust somehow. At least the mills I sawed for were never mine, and they continued to operate after I departed. But I moved on to other things over 30 years ago, and only one of those mills is still in operation today, with its fourth owner. So, 38 years is a real accomplishment, a boon to your community, and you can be both sad and proud of it.
My husband and I own a spray foam company up in Aroostook County Maine. My heart breaks for Wilson but I applaud him for providing good jobs for years. My hat is off to him. s
My sister was recently in a tourism ad for the Spanish Basque Country, and the local governments and people are apparently incredibly welcoming and tourist-friendly. Barcelona is now crazy busy and so much less enjoyable than it used to be, but outside of Catalunya and British stag do hotspots like Ibiza or Mallorca, ordinary, well-behaved tourists are unlikely to encounter much hostility.
Definitely relate to my fellow UK subscriber on some level, but I don't think it's just you guys. So much news/discourse here is America focused; we imported your culture wars while living in a very different culture. I know who Majorie Taylor Green is but I couldn't tell you the name of the Dutch Prime Minister. But I'll keep subscribing for now and will definitely be at any future London live show.
Reading about the insufferable expats in Valencia reminds me of Moynihan talking about the same type in Sweden that were constantly apologizing for being American. <eyeroll>. Thankfully I don’t see this in Finland as I have yet to meet any other Americans.
One of the most important things you can learn is that expats know nothing, sorry Matt. Case in point Jack G. Catalonia is a hugely important economic engine for Spain. Certainly more important than Catalonia's retarded little traitor brother, Valencia.
(Lost my job a few months ago…..but the fact work I was doing was better done elsewhere. I’m as broken as the stuff I was running. So….go on disability/retire.)
Hey Wilson, I'm a fellow Carolinian who grew up in the rural areas and I think you are a hero! Most of the skilled labor type jobs left years and years ago. You did your part in a tricky time in NC economic history, and 50 people who created families, bought houses, and fed kids on the income you provided will be forever grateful. Big hugs.
Great mail bucket as usual but Welch mentioning “witnessing an unspeakable pornographic world record in Barcelona circa 1997” is kind of burying the lede. Inquiring minds…
I need to know more. I request a cassingle.
No. You. Don't.
What happens in Barcelona stays in Barcelona.
This was pure treachery on Grape Juice Man's part and I don't appreciate it.
I suspect this is part of the Moynihan origin story.
Second
I literally have tears in my eyes over Wilson’s email but I agree with Matt’s beautiful comments that you and your dad! Built something beautiful and worthy and you should be very proud, doing so much for so long that many of us could never even start. Sending wishes and warm thoughts and gratitude to you Wilson.
Good lord- All the feels… I am sobbing reading this while sitting here taking care of my ailing mother in law. The woman who taught me to cook, wisely pick battles, and how to be generous and loving. (I fall very short) She is truly an awesome woman and I can’t stand the idea of her not being around. Love you guys and the fifthdom.
Wilson, when I saw the first image of this post, I was sure hoping for a happy message to follow it. Silly me, perhaps, but we can all use a bit of brightness these days. I spent 19 years working in hardwood sawmills here in SE Ohio and wished the video of the last log could have incorporated the fragrance of green sawdust somehow. At least the mills I sawed for were never mine, and they continued to operate after I departed. But I moved on to other things over 30 years ago, and only one of those mills is still in operation today, with its fourth owner. So, 38 years is a real accomplishment, a boon to your community, and you can be both sad and proud of it.
Well, I’m already emotional after the first email and by Matt’s response. I’m happy you publish these. Thank you.
This Mailbag (perhaps the best yet?) is a testament to the sheer awesomeness of Fifdom. Beautifully written letters from amazing people.
Jack’s young daughter just living her best life in a Spanish cafe will keep me smiling for quite a while.
I am still crying while I write this. A huge thank you to the people who wrote them and for the lovely responses to them.
My husband and I own a spray foam company up in Aroostook County Maine. My heart breaks for Wilson but I applaud him for providing good jobs for years. My hat is off to him. s
My sister was recently in a tourism ad for the Spanish Basque Country, and the local governments and people are apparently incredibly welcoming and tourist-friendly. Barcelona is now crazy busy and so much less enjoyable than it used to be, but outside of Catalunya and British stag do hotspots like Ibiza or Mallorca, ordinary, well-behaved tourists are unlikely to encounter much hostility.
Definitely relate to my fellow UK subscriber on some level, but I don't think it's just you guys. So much news/discourse here is America focused; we imported your culture wars while living in a very different culture. I know who Majorie Taylor Green is but I couldn't tell you the name of the Dutch Prime Minister. But I'll keep subscribing for now and will definitely be at any future London live show.
I had to take a break after the first letter, to go be sick. How awful.
Reading about the insufferable expats in Valencia reminds me of Moynihan talking about the same type in Sweden that were constantly apologizing for being American. <eyeroll>. Thankfully I don’t see this in Finland as I have yet to meet any other Americans.
2 episodes in 2 weeks. C’mon boys…
Four in the last 14 days, with a fifth imminent.
My wife told I should say sorry, so I’m sorry. Great job on Noam’s podcast btw
Solid wife-ing.
One of the most important things you can learn is that expats know nothing, sorry Matt. Case in point Jack G. Catalonia is a hugely important economic engine for Spain. Certainly more important than Catalonia's retarded little traitor brother, Valencia.
Condolences to Wilson. I sympathize.
(Lost my job a few months ago…..but the fact work I was doing was better done elsewhere. I’m as broken as the stuff I was running. So….go on disability/retire.)