Over the sofa in my childhood home hung an illuminated picture of a snow-capped mountain range at sunset, purchased for 50% off at Sears. Backlit by a 20-watt bulb – bright golds and greens and reddish browns, very snazzy – it shone handsomely, and when guests came we made sure to switch it on. The picture suggested, to my mother, the handiwork of God. “How can you look at this and say there is no God?” she said. I (who had not said there is no God) said, “And what about when you look at the desert?” To base one’s faith on beautiful scenery is to leave oneself open to grave doubt if you should visit Okahoma.
Garrison Keillor