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Monthly Archives: July 2014
July 31: Thoughts for the Day
It is frightening that police departments across the country are proudly displaying, and using, equipment once reserved for all-out-war. Why the hell do police departments need grenade launchers and amphibious assault vehicles? I saw a piece Bill Maher did on this topic … Continue reading
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Spinal Tap
I was in junior high school at the time, but I remember most of the events surrounding the episode almost as if they happened yesterday. I had spent most of the day before at a friend’s home, a condo on … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Memories
3 Comments
July 30: Thoughts for the Day
When we enjoy good fortune, and most of us do most of the time, it behooves us to appreciate and enjoy it. Good fortune is not guaranteed.
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Interview Questions
Questions to avoid asking during an interview: Do you have a policy on missing work for communications with a hostage negotiator? Are employees who drive to work permitted to sleep at the office if they get too drunk after work to drive … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
3 Comments
July 29: Thoughts for the Day
Smile. It won’t crack your face.
Posted in Thoughts For the Day
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Just Moods of Despair
Last night, as I sat in front of the television, listening to music piped in by DirecTV, I felt like a sad loser. There was nothing on television worth watching. There rarely is. So, I decided to listen to what … Continue reading
Posted in Depression
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This Week with Swinburn: Episode 2
The meteorologists did not lie last week. It got downright hot toward the end of the week. Some unwelcome heat (though not breaking 90 degrees) is apt to continue for a day or two, then cool down considerably on Wednesday, … Continue reading
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July 28: Thoughts for the Day
A real estate agent, who had just placed a for-sale sign in front of the house across the street from ours, said to me: “They had it for sale before, but it didn’t sell, so they took it off the … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts For the Day
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July 27: Thoughts for the Day
The best time to think is early in the morning, that time of day when there’s no pressure to hurry along to the next meaningless attention-grabber. That dawdling time allows one’s mind to wander into the crevices where thought rarely goes. Ideas … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts For the Day
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Old World Classics
We’re having friends over tonight for dinner, the only people here we know well…she used to work for me, years ago. We’re having seared scallops over spinach and risotto, with steamed asparagus on the side. Before dinner, we’ll have drinks. … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Food, Friendship, Writing
2 Comments
July 26: Thoughts for the Day
I am not one to mince words. Onions, on the other hand…
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July 25: Thoughts for the Day
The monstrous obstruction in front of you was constructed of fear. Muster your courage. Wade into it with determination. It will melt into a pool of possibilities.
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Sand and Such
The sanding began, but the weather said, “No.” I was no more than 30 minutes into sanding the deck with my newly purchased belt sander yesterday when the rain began. It was light rain, but it was rain…not the time for sanding the … Continue reading
Posted in Housiing, Painting, Weather
2 Comments
July 24: Thoughts for the Day
Nature can serve terrifying reminders that humans are, individually and collectively, pitifully weak and impotent creatures. The terrifying reminders which sparked my thoughts on the matter took the form of a fierce windstorm and coincidental thunderstorm, replete with an explosive … Continue reading
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July 23:Thoughts for the Day
The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Shakespeare can teach us a thing or two, … Continue reading
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If Wishes Were Horses, the Deck Would be Clean
I wish there were a few 40- or 50-somethings close by, guys who retired early and are looking for something to occupy their time…something like helping a newcomer refurbish his deck. I am having a hell of a time convincing … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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July 22: Thoughts for the Day
Give yourself enough rope, you’ll regret every tree you climbed. Forgive yourself every tree and every noose you wanted to tie but didn’t. If you won’t, nobody will. And maybe nobody should.
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This Week with Swinburn: Episode 1
Clear skies and cool temperatures introduce me to the week, a deceptive welcome if one believes meteorologists who say temperatures will top 90 degrees once or twice during the week. I have little reason to doubt the meteorologists, though they’ve lied mercilessly to … Continue reading
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July 21: Thoughts for the Day
I sat in my “treehouse” room yesterday morning for half an hour or so, mesmerized by birds. Summer tanager. Eastern bluebird. House finch. Cardinal. Blue jay. Indigo bunting. Hummingbird. It’s rare that I see so many different birds in such … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts For the Day, Uncategorized
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The Problem is…Oh, so very minor…
I was very upset with Suddenlink, our internet provider and pathway for Netflix, earlier today. Well, most of yesterday and all days leading up to yesterday, as well. And then I realized they weren’t the problem; it was the router…or … Continue reading
Posted in Just Thinking
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Heartbeats
Most nights, if I lay on my right side with my head deep in the pillow, I can hear and feel my heartbeats. I’m not sure whether it’s their volume or that the throbbing associated with them is so pronounced that … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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July 20: Thoughts for the Day
There are moments in which one clearly understands the elasticity of time. Those are much like the rare occasions during which the color of gratitude becomes almost as vivid as the taste of bravery and the aroma of indecision. A willingness to accept that the brain … Continue reading
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Saying Goodbye to Mike
Today, we will remove his corpse. We will take it to a special collection site, where we will have one last look at the body that has shared our home for years and years. I don’t know quite what to … Continue reading
Posted in Moving
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July 19: Thoughts for the Day
I have anecdotal evidence of the importance of State automobile safety inspections. In Texas, an annual safety inspection is required for all registered cars at a cost to the owner of, I think, $14.50. There is no such requirement in Arkansas. Since moving … Continue reading
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Gravlax con Cilantro y Tequila
I spent part of my morning preparing gravlax. I covered it tightly with plastic wrap and placed another glass dish containing heavy cans on top. For each of the next two nights, I will baste the salmon with the juices … Continue reading
Posted in Just Thinking
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