Author Archives: John Swinburn

About John Swinburn

"Love not what you are but what you may become."― Miguel de Cervantes

Giving Thanks, Even Now

Posted on November 24, 2016 by John Swinburn

Last year, on Thanksgiving day, the subject of a rant on this blog was the minimum wage. It was the second of two, in which I presented arguments—both pro and con—about increasing the minimum wage. My intent in writing the two … Continue reading →

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Mist Opportunities

Posted on November 23, 2016 by John Swinburn

Stubble. When I think of that word, in my mind’s eye I see several days’ growth of beard. But the definition that conjures that vision is tertiary, according to the dictionary I just examined. The two definitions with primacy over mine refer … Continue reading →

Posted in Attempted Humor, Just Thinking | Leave a comment

Oh, Canada, Just Let Me Ramble

Posted on November 22, 2016 by John Swinburn

I sat in front of the television a while ago, watching a drama series about intrigue and politics in U.S. government. Sipping on a Canadian whiskey and munching on my post-dinner snack of Canadian wild-caught herring in wine sauce, I wondered … Continue reading →

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Adaptations

Posted on November 21, 2016 by John Swinburn

It’s just after three in the morning and I can’t seem to sleep. Maybe it’s because I seem to have lost a crown on my root-canal tooth. What does one do in such a situation? What else but look at … Continue reading →

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Taking Back What We’ve Lost

Posted on November 20, 2016 by John Swinburn

Earlier today, I attended the Thanksgiving service at the Hot Springs Unitarian Universalist Church, along with my wife. Usually, we do not attend on Sunday when the “church service” is on the schedule. Instead, we attend when “insight” programs (interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Courage

Posted on November 20, 2016 by John Swinburn

Two dictionaries in my house define courage as follows: the attitude or response of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; the quality of being fearless or brave; valor; pluck the … Continue reading →

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A Food Blog, Perhaps

Posted on November 19, 2016 by John Swinburn

I’m considering the possibility of adding one more blog to the already innumerable food blogs available on the internet. American Food Bloggers list (as of today) of America’s Best Food Blogs, ranked by popularity and influence, lists 451 food blogs. … Continue reading →

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A Message in Need of Translation

Posted on November 19, 2016 by John Swinburn

Not infrequently, I read books or watch films in which main characters reveal, through their words or actions, self-loathing and deep, unrelenting pain based on who they believe they are. Every time, I wonder whether the writers responsible for those characters … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Writing | Leave a comment

The Last Smile

Posted on November 18, 2016 by John Swinburn

Maria invited him to meet her again, saying she needed to ask his advice about approaching a local political figure with a ticklish, almost accusatory, question. Based on what he later wrote in his journal, he claimed he saw through her … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing | 1 Comment

2100

Posted on November 17, 2016 by John Swinburn

This is it, post number 2100. Okay, now that the celebration is over, let me get right to the work at hand. Salt and sugar look damn near identical. I know this for many reasons, but let me recount the most recent event … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

It Sounds Like Hope and I Think It Is

Posted on November 16, 2016 by John Swinburn

I spent the day in ventilation mode. Opening up my closed mind to ideas I’d rather not have entertained. That’s not a bad use of the clock that’s working hard to reach midnight. Listening to points of view that differ … Continue reading →

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Bad Behavior

Posted on November 16, 2016 by John Swinburn

Molly was an impossible leprechaun. Impossible because, as we all know, leprechauns are delightful, mischievous little beings whose behavior on their worst days brings smiles to our faces and songs to our hearts. But Molly was different. She was, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Absurdist Fantasy | Leave a comment

Something to Occupy My Fragile Mental State

Posted on November 15, 2016 by John Swinburn

“Senator, I have maniacal plans for after the revolution. And you will play a significant and deeply crimson part in them; your crimson splash will be an especially welcome sight to the people you injured with your policies and your greed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Absurdist Fantasy, Writing | Leave a comment

Characterization

Posted on November 15, 2016 by John Swinburn

I had a conversation with a friend yesterday morning, over coffee, during which we discussed writing. During the course of the discussion, she mentioned someone with a military history, a person who served as the inspiration for a story she … Continue reading →

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Fact or Fiction or Something in Between

Posted on November 15, 2016 by John Swinburn

I considered writing about the upcoming Trump presidency and its likely aftermath, but decided against it because my book would certainly be seen as a knock-off of one written by Sinclair Lewis and published in 1935. It Can’t Happen Here describes … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Politics | Leave a comment

In Memory of Gwen Ifill

Posted on November 14, 2016 by John Swinburn

When I want real news, real information, I turn to PBS. Though Bill Moyers and Jim Lehrer cemented my appreciation for PBS, I think I became addicted to the PBS Newshour because of Gwen Ifill. I sensed an exceptional commitment … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Memories | 1 Comment

Someone Else’s Memories

Posted on November 14, 2016 by John Swinburn

A few minutes ago, dressed only in a t-shirt, gym shorts, and rubber flip-flops, I scurried outside with my camera, in forty degree temperatures, to take a picture of the Super Moon. My attempt to capture an historical event was unsuccessful; … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Memories, Writing | Leave a comment

Starved for Beauty

Posted on November 13, 2016 by John Swinburn

The remnants of something once beautiful. The residue of time, evidence of its harsh treatment of apathy and impudence. We cannot realistically aspire to lofty ideals if we are unwilling to invest the hard work greatness requires. Changing the world … Continue reading →

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Turbulence and Talismans

Posted on November 12, 2016 by John Swinburn

Reading some of my own writing in the evening gives me a brief respite from the chaos. The turbulence of the past eighteen months continues to twist my gut and make my neck and shoulders ache as if acidic poison fills … Continue reading →

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Decency and Peace

Posted on November 12, 2016 by John Swinburn

Last night, I suspended my Facebook account, perhaps for the final time. Though I’ve ‘threatened’ to get off Facebook for quite some time, and have taken plenty of breaks, it feels different now. I’ve spent the last few days glued … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | 3 Comments

Novel Plot

Posted on November 11, 2016 by John Swinburn

Right wing president elected On inauguration day, just hour after inauguration, one or more “accidents” kills new president, vice president, speaker of the house, and other Republicans in line for presidency. At the same time, the Republican majority senate suffers … Continue reading →

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Leonard Cohen: I Have Lost My Only Hero

Posted on November 10, 2016 by John Swinburn

A man I never met, but saw perform once, has died. Leonard Cohen, the man whose poetry and music molded me like no other, is dead. Believe me, I do not worship celebrities; I scoff at hearing of people who … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | 2 Comments

Vitrectomy

Posted on November 7, 2016 by John Swinburn

In just a short while, my wife and I will make a trek to Little Rock with my sister-in-law for the latter’s eye surgery. She is having a vitrectomy to correct a macular hole. Post-surgery care requires the patient to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health | Leave a comment

Sounds Like Anger With A Marshmallow Center

Posted on November 7, 2016 by John Swinburn

The sound a scalpel makes as it slices through skin is quite faint. But properly calibrated listening devices affixed to video cameras can hear and record the sound in parallel with video images. Tiny video cameras, attached to the scalpel just behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Absurdist Fantasy, Fiction, Writing | Leave a comment

Witnessing Whiteness

Posted on November 6, 2016 by John Swinburn

My wife and I are participating in an educational exploration group designed to help participants “rewire” their visible and hidden racist tendencies. Our involvement in the group arose from a presentation about racism that caused us to acknowledge that, despite … Continue reading →

Posted in Racism | Leave a comment