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The New American Digest

For Followers of Gerard Van der Leun's Fine Work

  • About American Digest
  • About New American Digest
  • “The Name In The Stone”
  • Remembering Gerard Van der Leun
    • from the website: Through the Looking Glass
    • from the website: Barnhardt
    • from the website: Neo’s Blog
  • Articles
    • The Overland Stage
      • The Holladay Overland Stage: 1 – The Central Route
      • The Overland Stage – 2 Company Operations
      • The Overland Stage – 3 Exploring The Route – An Overview
      • The Overland Stage: 4 – South Platte/Julesburg/Ft Sedgwick
        • Jack Slade
      • The Overland Stage: 5 – Julesburg to Junction Station (aka Ft Morgan)
      • The Overland Stage: 6 – Junction Station to Latham
      • The Overland Stage: 7 – Latham Crossing to Fort Collins
      • The Overland Stage: 8 – LaPorte to Virginia Dale
      • The Overland Stage: 9 – Virginia Dale to Cooper Creek
      • The Overland Stage: 10 – Cooper Creek to Pass Creek
        • Fletcher Family
      • The Overland Stage: 11 – Pass Creek to Bridger Station
      • The Overland Stage: 12 – Bridger Pass to Duck Lake
      • The Overland Stage: 13 – Duck Lake to LaClede
      • The Overland Stage: 14 – LaClede to Almond
      • The Overland Stage: 15 – Almond to Rock Springs
      • The Overland Stage: 16 – Rock Springs to Fort Bridger
      • The Overland Stage: 17 – Fort Bridger to Weber Station

I find I don’t wish to explore new lands, but to explore again those I have already passed through, trying to see what I’d missed in the first hectic rush … Gerard Van der Leun

Home→Published 2025 → December → 24

Daily Archives: December 24, 2025

A DT Christmas

The New American Digest Posted on December 24, 2025 by DTDecember 23, 2025

Years ago though. We don't live here anymore

and we have cats now so no Christmas trees.

I'm not a church-goer; I don't consider myself "Christian", mostly because I find the corporate structure of churches somewhat nauseating with middle management (preachers) not trustworthy. And a few other reasons I need not go into here. But I will acknowledge "something" is there.

However, tonight will find me in a church ... out of respect for some friends - and for the purpose of maintaining contact with others having similar feelings of our nation.

Stolen from Kim Du Toit of "Splendid Isolation"
"allow me to remind you that while religion itself has little interest for me, I am absolutely firm in my support for the Judeo-Christian culture and heritage.
And I am even more supportive when I consider the alternatives of atheistic totalitarianism (i.e. Communists) and, even worse, radical Islamism.  They both suck big time, without reservation.
"

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Replies

Christmas Carol Time #9

The New American Digest Posted on December 24, 2025 by DTDecember 15, 2025

A selection of some of my favorite Christmas carols. A daily event through Christmas.

Today's selection: Tennessee Ernie Ford - "O Holy Night" - 1847/1958

Written by a French poet as a song to celebrate a Christmas Mass dedication of new stained glass windows. Translated into English in 1855, certain verses were modified to allow a "singable translation". It was the first song played over radio in 1906. It is considered to be the most popular Christmas song - it's certainly my favorite.

This version was recorded in 1958.

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Posted in tunes, Uncategorized | 1 Reply

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Contact: dt@newamericandigest.org

Gerard Van der Leun
12/26/45 - 1/27/23


Gerard's Last Post
(posthumous): Feb 4, 2023
"So Long. See You All a Little Further Down the Road"

When my body won’t hold me anymore
And it finally lets me free
Where will I go?
Will the trade winds take me south through Georgia grain?
Or tropical rain?
Or snow from the heavens?
Will I join with the ocean blue?
Or run into a savior true?
And shake hands laughing
And walk through the night, straight to the light
Holding the love I’ve known in my life
And no hard feelings

Avett Brothers - No Hard Feelings

The following was posted along with the announcement of Gerard's passing.
Leonard Cohen - Going Home

For a 2005 interview with Gerard


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    I wondered where such a letter could be published - seems so many places wouldn't accept such a comment. PA…

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    Just boarded the Coast Starlight destination Tulare, California.

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The New Neo
Jean's Blog - Pondering
The Feral Irishman

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man,
play a song for me
I'm not sleepy
and there ain't no place I'm goin' to

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man,
play a song for me
In the jingle jangle morning,
I'll come followin' you

Take me for a trip upon
your magic swirling ship
All my senses have been stripped
And my hands can't feel to grip
And my toes too numb to step
Wait only for my boot heels to be wanderin'

I'm ready to go anywhere,
I'm ready for to fade
Unto my own parade
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it


Men who saw night coming down about them could somehow act as if they stood at the edge of dawn.


From Gerard's site. The picture always caught my eye.

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