A ranger at Yosemite National Park for 23 years, Shelton Johnson has a vivid, distinctive way with language β not a surprise given his training and experience as a writer and performer. During my time around him, I started a list of what I started calling βSheltonismsβ; even he joined in, uttering something to an audience, then calling to me, βWrite that down.β Hereβs the best of that collection:
Listen to Shelton Johnson
Dealing with the KKK at Great Basin NP.
βThe most interesting people to talk to in the unemployment line are English majors.β
βIt takes a village to raise an idiot.β
βThe government needs applause.β
βI have to give a full and thorough answer to every question because Iβm a federal employee.β
βI would like to have a flute from every culture on earth. Thatβs my goal. Itβs a very disturbing goal for my wife.β
βIf you run away playing the flute, people will follow you.β
β(Awahneechee culture) is a way of looking at yourself through different eyes.β
“Three months in Africa is like three years in Italy — especially if youβre in Florence.β
β(Wildlife that habituate to humans are suffering) death on the installment plan.β
βRock is never the same. Itβs always changing because of pressure. Iβd have a severe personality crisis if I were a rock.β
βGranite is a story written by the sky.β
Click Here for Shelton Johnson and the Buffalo Soldiers: ‘Spokesperson for the Dead’