Author Archives: John Swinburn

About John Swinburn

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

Frolics in France

Posted on June 14, 2016 by John Swinburn

Yesterday, we all piled in two cars and drove to Gordes, a beautiful little village a short drive away. It was, as expected, packed with tourists. They had come for the stunning views of the valleys below and the quaint, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Travel | Leave a comment

Yes, I’m happy. Why do you ask?

Posted on June 10, 2016 by John Swinburn

This is what a happy man looks like. So, if you do not look like this,logic tells me you’re not a happy man. That, my friends, is irrefutable logic.

Posted in Just Thinking | 3 Comments

Hen Peckery

Posted on June 9, 2016 by John Swinburn

The pizza is not what I expected. But that’s all right. I had no expectations about pizza. Indeed, I had no plans to eat pizza. But the time and the place and the menu conspired to place pizza before me. … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking, Travel | 1 Comment

A Different Perspective

Posted on June 8, 2016 by John Swinburn

Television news in Europe differs from U.S. television news in many ways. It’s not just the language, but there’s that, of course. Aside from that, there’s the unvarnished stories, the facts clear and undistorted by concerns about upsetting sensitive viewers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | 2 Comments

Tangled Dreamworks

Posted on June 5, 2016 by John Swinburn

I had a series of bizarre dreams last night. In one, my friend who bought my old pickup from me came to visit. In the dream, I lived in an old mid-century bungalow in a sad state of disrepair. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams | Leave a comment

About Things on My Mind

Posted on June 2, 2016 by John Swinburn

Americans may be more inclined toward arrogance than most, but they do not hold the franchise. I have witnessed displays of American and French and British arrogance, along with non-specific Arab arrogance during our trip thus far. I mention those … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking, Nature, Weather | 1 Comment

And Then…

Posted on May 31, 2016 by John Swinburn

After relaxing for awhile Sunday afternoon, the three of us (my wife, my sister, and I) headed out in search of dinner. We chose Tapas Café on Cours Mirabeau, a very busy boulevard packed with people, in spite of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment

First Days, Aix-en-Provence.

Posted on May 29, 2016 by John Swinburn

The day began at 4:00 a.m., with a wake-up alarm and a shower, followed by a ride service to the airport. We learned, on arrival at the airport, that our transportation service accepts only cash and checks, no credit cards. … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking, Travel | Leave a comment

Things to Think About

Posted on May 26, 2016 by John Swinburn

The next three weeks, more or less, promise opportunities for new experiences; diversity of thought, perspectives, and attitude. If I am the man I hope I am, I will absorb disparate viewpoints, treating them as the beacons of wisdom they … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | Leave a comment

Her Leaving

Posted on May 25, 2016 by John Swinburn

Dirty dishes filled the sink to overflowing. The moist remains of milk and cereal clung to bowls and spoons on the counter top. Dried tomato sauce, a few brittle loops of spaghetti, the remnants of chicken drumsticks, and flaccid pieces of spongy broccoli stuck … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing | 2 Comments

Self-Made Dilemma

Posted on May 24, 2016 by John Swinburn

A week ago, I wrote about what I called an epiphany. I’ve been thinking about it (the epiphany, not what I wrote about it) ever since. During the course of my contemplation, I’ve stumbled across a number of questions that … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Creativity, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Fretting on the Fruit of Follicles

Posted on May 24, 2016 by John Swinburn

I asked Father Facebook (not to be confused with Father Google) whether I should let my hair continue to grow in spite of its annoying habit of getting in my eyes, thereby driving me crazy, or cut it. Fickle Father … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | Leave a comment

About My Tragedy

Posted on May 22, 2016 by John Swinburn

[This is pure fiction; nothing about it is real.] Let me first say I do not know where I am. In a physical sense, I am not “here” nor “there,” but neither am I a “spirit” of some sort. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing | Leave a comment

Indolence Emergency

Posted on May 20, 2016 by John Swinburn

I am, some mornings, unable to overcome my laziness. My best intentions notwithstanding, I cannot manage to conquer my slothful attitude, forcing myself to take ownership of my lethargic state of mind. So it was this morning as I contemplated what to … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Leave a comment

Cuatro, Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 20, 2016 by John Swinburn

We held the first of two back-to-back dinner parties on May 4, followed by another on May 5. Both were arranged to commemorate the improbable victory of the Spanish army over the French in the Battle of Puebla. The first evening was … Continue reading →

Posted in For the Record | Leave a comment

Seeking Some Serbian Sustenance

Posted on May 19, 2016 by John Swinburn

Through a convoluted series of events too complex and mundane to warrant discussion here, I was told that there is a rather substantial Serbian community in and around Hot Springs, Arkansas. Moreover, my source tells me the community has access to … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Leave a comment

Letters and Numbers

Posted on May 18, 2016 by John Swinburn

What gives me reason to think I can stitch together a small sample of all the available words in the English language to create something new? Any word I might choose to use has been used before, very probably in concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Mathematics, Philosophy, Writing | Leave a comment

Epiphany

Posted on May 17, 2016 by John Swinburn

Yesterday afternoon, during a conversation with a friend about her interest in pursuing an advanced degree in fine arts, I had an epiphany of sorts. I came to realize I am not satisfied in retirement. I am not ready to … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | 2 Comments

Just Thinking About Rules

Posted on May 16, 2016 by John Swinburn

We’re taught to live by the rules. We observe as society sanctions people who break them. We watch those who deviate from the course judged appropriate by society suffer the consequences of nonconformity. Parents and teachers and churches and friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | Leave a comment

Fresh Day

Posted on May 13, 2016 by John Swinburn

This morning begins one of those unusual days, those days that seem fresh and new like the first days of the long-sought-after job in my youth. My good fortune, this morning, is almost impossible to believe. How wonderful—and what an utterly … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing | 2 Comments

Weapons

Posted on May 12, 2016 by John Swinburn

A friend suffers through a divorce made worse by good old boy judges and an ex-husband’s wealth used as a weapon, a cudgel that could just as easily break her jaw as her heart. I am in loathe with my … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

A Different Turn

Posted on May 12, 2016 by John Swinburn

Imagine, if you will, that your life took a radically different turn years ago. Imagine how the arc of your existence would differ had you chosen a different path. Let me be clear, though. I am not asking you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | Leave a comment

Thoughts and Questions on Searching

Posted on May 11, 2016 by John Swinburn

The risk of seeking illumination through introspection is that a flood of tears can douse the candle, plunging the searcher into irrevocable darkness. Thinking that searching for answers is a logical endeavor suggests that the question is clear; sometimes, only after finding answers do the questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking, Wisdom | 2 Comments

The Best Laid Schemes

Posted on May 9, 2016 by John Swinburn

My plans for Saturday—just two days ago—were dashed when I awoke and picked up my eyeglasses. Actually, I picked up only half the pair; the other half remained on the bedside table. The metal frame had broken at a weld … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Thinking | Leave a comment

Vignette: Fear

Posted on May 8, 2016 by John Swinburn

Sheila gasped, gulping air as if it were in short supply, her chest heaving with every involuntary intake of breath. Perspiration beads on her forehead, too heavy to cling to her clammy skin, trickled into her eyes and down her … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing | Leave a comment