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Author Archives: John Swinburn
Handsel
“I offer you this advice as a handsel for the new year upon us: be as gentle with yourself as you are with those you love most dearly, yet measure yourself against high expectations. By so doing, you make yourself into … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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New and Regained, 2
When the skies rebel against the peace, exploding in monstrous roars of thunder and brilliant flashes of lightning, something must be done. When the heavens flush doubt and hubris and hope from the air in the fury of pounding rain, … Continue reading
Posted in New and Regained Knowledge
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New and Regained, 1
This year, I intend to document—here on my blog—knowledge I gain or regain each day. That is, something new I learn or something I may once have known but have forgotten and learned anew. With that explanation, here is my … Continue reading
Posted in Leap Year, New and Regained Knowledge
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Prelude
We’ve reached it. The final day of 2016, the day on which we can put this year to rest and, for many of us for many good reasons, say “good riddance!” Yet, without this year, we would not have reached … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Free Association
Flinch. Twinge. Cringe. Sparkle. Shake. Stutter. Masticate. Articulate. Throng. Skeptic. Inclusive. Divisive. Embrace. Muscular. Delicate. Ephemeral. Taut. Soft. Massive. Maniacal. Voluptuous. Cunning. Shrink. Shirk. Study. Paternity. Modernity. Hysterical. Historical. Worship. Harsh. Death. Suicide. Completion. Solemnity. Poverty. Elemental. Vague. Crisp. Spastic. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Resolutions
After the near-miss accident on December 28, I sent an email to the Property Owners Association, recommending something be done about the dangerous intersection where I’ve seen two cars fly off into the ravine. I understand there have been other … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Linguafile
An idea for a story came to me during a conversation with my wife yesterday. The story would have been a whimsical one in which a young boy dreams of becoming fluent in every human language and, by working hard, … Continue reading
Posted in Language, Writing
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Assigning Worth
It seems to me that people who need help to escape poverty generally do not need, nor want, handouts. They need a break. They need a chance to demonstrate their worth in a world in which value is too often measured … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Philosophy, Poverty
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Near-Miss
The afternoon of December 28, 2016 could have been a horrible and possibly my very last afternoon. I credit my survival to my quick reaction, steering my car quickly into the lane for oncoming traffic when I saw the car coming … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Beginners
Beginners are forgiven their mistakes, because they do not have sufficient experience to warrant adverse judgment of their ineptitude. Being a beginner opens up an entire world of possibilities; virtually every aspect of an experience is a fresh opportunity for involvement for … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Vacuous
The sound a vacuum cleaner makes on a clear, cool morning is no different from the noise escaping its disquieting form on cloudy days. But it seems different. The cacophony of vacuum cleaners has no legitimate place on cool, clear … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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The Propriety of Cash Gifts
Just over three years ago, I wrote an essay to explore the appropriateness of giving money as a gift. I waffled to the conclusion that the practice is, at best, questionable. The piece drew some interesting and thought-provoking responses from a couple … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Our Own Collective
A poet would know how to craft words that sooth the soul after a crushing defeat. A poet would possess the unique ability to plumb the depths of our depression for something magical and healing, a precious kernel of knowledge … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry
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Christmas
Last night, we spent the evening sampling several soups at the Unitarian Universalists’ Christmas Eve service. The soup sampling followed a carol-fest in which the church choir sang carols, often with the audience chiming in. And there were readings sprinkled … Continue reading
Seasonal Musings
Last night, my wife and her sister and I talked about our memories of Christmases past and, especially, Christmas gifts. I do not recall many of the Christmas gifts I received over the years. As much as I know they were … Continue reading
Posted in Just Thinking
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BIG Ideas
The perception of technological advances allowing customers to check out their own groceries differs radically, depending on one’s perspective. From the viewpoint of the grocer, investing in such technology means an investment in profitability or, indeed, economic survival. But store … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, Economics, Intellect, Philosophy, Politics, Secular morality
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French Egg Culture
My earlier post put my mind on France and, especially, on Hôtel SPA le Calendal in Arles, where we stayed last June. Every morning we spent there, I cooked soft-boiled eggs for breakfast. In the breakfast area, the hotel provides a constant-temperature … Continue reading
Posted in Food
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A Turn of Phrase
I suspect this is the sixth or seventh time I’ve written about the French phrase, Le jeu n’en vaut pas la chandelle, translated into English as “the game is not worth the candle.” The phrase sums up feelings of depression … Continue reading
Posted in Depression, Language
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Special Solstice Announcement
What if even the most powerful volcano was simply a trick, a display of the amazing power of a fizzlewhuzzcan engine that melts rock and sprays it into the sky? What then? Nothing, of course. We’d simply come to recognize … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Awakening
Cyrus Bedlam watched as the pieces of a cosmic puzzle slipped through the sky. The bitter taste of dark chocolate and kale. That’s the association that popped into his head as he watched the setting moon grind against the horizon at … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Donald Trump, Savior in Chief
I awakened in the same miserable cave as the one that prompted last night’s post. It’s cold and damp and hopeless in here. The sun is long since hidden and I have reason to believe it will not rise in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Thinking When I Shouldn’t
I am an atheist. You must bear that in mind as you read the comments I am about to make. I do not claim there is no god, but I have found no reason to believe there is one. In … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy, Religion
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Lessons No One Learned
I listened to a voice in my head as it told a story. This voice was from a man who survived the siege but who wished he had acted, much earlier, to warn of what was coming. He failed to … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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An Old Coder Emerges from the Damp
Today was horribly humid and, until a short while ago, quite warm. I had no interest in being outdoors, except to run pick up mail at the post office and get some groceries. The remainder of the day, I occupied … Continue reading
Posted in Technology
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Under the Bus
I haven’t ridden a cross-country bus in many years. But for quite some time I’ve wanted to be exposed to people with whom I rarely interact, people who either choose not to travel in the more modern modes of personal automobiles … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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