Monthly Archives: December 2013

Hate and Rage and Video Breath

Posted on December 14, 2013 by John Swinburn

They play video games, all dark and dank, lots of blood and bullets and an army tank. They’re wired on Red Bull and coffee and lust, with a shot of vodka; that’s always a must. Almost time to go hunting, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

Ice

Posted on December 14, 2013 by John Swinburn

The guy began to climb into the tree, using the ladder his partner had leaned against the trunk. He stepped up the rungs of the aluminum extension ladder until he reached the point at which the massive trunk split into … Continue reading →

Posted in Weather | 5 Comments

Whispers

Posted on December 13, 2013 by John Swinburn

Whispers. That’s what we hear when we watch television news or listen to ourselves reading from the New York Times or Chicago Tribune or skim messages from Facebook or Twitter.  These are not proclamations of truth or emphatic pronouncements of fact. They’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | 6 Comments

The Dream

Posted on December 12, 2013 by John Swinburn

Several weeks ago, I had a very vivid dream.  When I awoke from it, about 4:30 in the morning, I recorded what I remembered of it, which was quite a lot. Here are my recollections. The Dream I was riding … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams | 4 Comments

Ice Crunch

Posted on December 8, 2013 by John Swinburn

The streets and sidewalks did not look as slick as they were.  They were  white, streaked in places with grey.  I knew enough that the grey places were probably sleet that had melted to form a sheet of ice, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Walking, Weather | 6 Comments

Stir-crazy

Posted on December 7, 2013 by John Swinburn

stir-cra·zy [stur-krey-zee] adjective Slang. Informal. restless or frantic because of confinement, routine, etc.: I was stir-crazy after just two months of keeping house. mentally ill because of long imprisonment. I’d like to think the first definition is most appropriate to my situation. This brief period (it’s been just 24 hours or so) of being house-bound due to ice and broken tree limbs and … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Weather | 4 Comments

Nature

Posted on December 6, 2013 by John Swinburn

The ice storm we are facing today began last night, shortly before nightfall.  Forecasts call for issue with ice to continue for a while yet, though the sleet and freezing rain apparently are behind us.  But the slightly rising temperatures … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | 2 Comments

Dropping In

Posted on December 5, 2013 by John Swinburn

In a post yesterday morning, I included a link to a review of a book entitled The Lonely American. Some of the content of that review has stayed on my mind. Specifically, this comment has been on my mind: “neighbors are afraid … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Friendship | 10 Comments

Sunday Assembly

Posted on December 4, 2013 by John Swinburn

If you’ve read my blog, or my Facebook comments, you know I’ve spoken well of “the church” with respect to “doing good,” and have lamented the lack of a church-like organization for non believers who desire the social benefits of … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Secular morality | 5 Comments

Revelations

Posted on December 4, 2013 by John Swinburn

Last night I read a number of posts I’ve written but have not posted.  There are reasons. Most of the time, I write and immediately post; complete with grammar and spelling errors.  But sometimes, I write and say to myself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Wisdom | 1 Comment

Roots of Religion

Posted on December 1, 2013 by John Swinburn

A few months ago, I watched The Buddha on PBS for the third or fourth time.  Almost every time I see that it’s on, I watch it.  That’s not my usual practice with television; generally, I don’t watch it much … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality | 6 Comments

Borrowing Art

Posted on December 1, 2013 by John Swinburn

Libraries are extraordinary.  You want a book, they’ll lend you a book.  They don’t have the book?  They’ll get it for you.  The cost?  Usually, nothing.  Even if the book you want is not available in the library system, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Libraries | 1 Comment