Dictionaries define curmudgeon as "an ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions," or "a crusty irascible cantankerous old person." So why would anyone want to tag their publication with this offensive handle?
The Carson Curmudgeon,
a periodical of history, humor and
hubris,
was conceived one winter by two
locals, curious about the history of this tiny place and interested in
injecting some humor into the lives of its citizens. It has taken some time to
realize the conception, but in 2009, our centennial year, we have brought the
project to completion. What began as a humor magazine with a bit of history, has
morphed into a history magazine with some humor. This came about as we
learned more about the interesting history of Carson. On this website, you will
find some of the stories and features published in the Carson Curmudgeon.
Why
Curmudgeon?
Dictionaries
define curmudgeon as "an ill-tempered person full of resentment and
stubborn notions," or "a
crusty irascible cantankerous old person." So why would anyone want to tag their
publication with this offensive handle?
Well
first, we don't agree with the
dictionary. We like Jon Winokur's definition
better.
"Curmudgeons'
reputation for malevolence is undeserved," he states, "They're neither warped
nor evil at heart. They don't hate mankind, just mankind's absurdities. They're
just as sensitive and softhearted as the next guy,
but they hide their vulnerability beneath a crust of misanthropy. They ease the pain by turning hurt
into humor. Nature, having failed to equip them with a serviceable denial
mechanism, has endowed
them with astute perception and sly wit." (We
especially like that part.)
Perhaps curmudgeons have gotten a bad rap in the same way that the messenger
is blamed for the message: They have the temerity to comment on the human
condition without apology. That is our intent at the Carson Curmudgeon.
An equally important part of our goal is to record as much of the history of this tiny spot on the globe as we can dig up from old books, magazines and documents, old-timers and others with knowledge of Carson's past. If you have stories or photos of old times in Carson, we would love to hear from you. Contact us at PO Box 11, Carson, NM 87517 or by email.
The Editors
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