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Author Archives: John Swinburn
August 10: Thoughts for the Day
Success often involves one or more failures. Mistakes and missteps are simply practice. Perseverance pays.
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August 9: Thoughts for the Day
Jagged blue fingers of lightning claw across the sky, keeping time to deep, cataclysmic rumbles of thunder that jar the earth and deform the sun and planets. Just another night in paradise. I wrote this at 10:25 pm last night, … Continue reading
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Hoping for Good News
My sister-in-law is waiting for news. Hoping for good news. If it’s not the news she wants, it will be OK…but hoping for really good news.
Posted in Uncategorized
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August 8: Thoughts for the Day
Here it is, 4:35 a.m. I’ve been awake since 3:00 and up since 3:30 a.m. I suppose this means I am up for the duration of the day. My thought for the day, then, is apropos to the situation: Awaken … Continue reading
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August 7: Thoughts for the Day
Have I mentioned my questions about why it’s so common to see street names, subdivision names, etc. called “Whispering Pines,” but it’s rare to see “Whispering Oaks,” “Whispering Mesquite,” “Whispering Crepe Myrtles,” “Whispering Sycamores,” “Whispering Firs,” or “Whispering Maples?” “Shouting … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts For the Day
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August 6: Thoughts for the Day
It was so late when I woke up today, the sun was already shining. I wonder what I missed in the predawn dark? I can’t go back and unsleep late, so I’ll just have to cope with the misfortune of sleeping … Continue reading
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Wood
Excellent day today, so far, despite an unauspicious start. It started out by me arriving an hour early for an 8:00 a.m. breakfast meeting with a group of guys who do woodworking in a neighbor’s shop. My favorite wife said … Continue reading
Posted in Wood
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August 5: Thoughts for the Day
There will come a time when you no longer have the physical capacity to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Do them now.
Posted in Thoughts For the Day
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Learning About People You’ve Never Met
Have you ever encountered someone interesting, intriguing, and then decided to seek to learn more about that person by doing internet searches? Yes, it’s intrusive and embarrassing and suggests a mild form of stalking behavior, but what the hell. We’re all … Continue reading
Posted in Just Thinking
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August 4: Thoughts for the Day
Insights can come from the most unlikely places. An emailed link to an article from Houzz interior design suggested asking this question: “How do you want your home to feel?” Thinking about my answers to that question, and a few others suggested by Houzz, gave … Continue reading
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Learning About the Past
One result of the recent visit by friends from the early years of our marriage was a jarring of our memories. During conversations about our mutual histories, our friends mentioned the name of the man who joined my wife and … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Love
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Reconnecting After a Long Pause
Yesterday, a couple we have known for 35+ years came to visit. They were among the very few people we invited to our wedding in Houston, Texas. In fact, aside from the Unitarian minister and his partner (who also worked with us), … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship
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Two Truths and a Lie
Last night, our friends talked about a game they had played. It sounded like an intriguing game, especially if played among other people who one does not know well. They called it “two truths and a lie.” The idea is … Continue reading
Posted in Just Thinking
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August 3: Thoughts for the Day
Spending just a few hours last night with a younger couple was exhilarating. Youth can share its energy just by being present. The couple consisted of the son and daughter-in-law of a friend. It helps that they are energetic, intelligent, and … Continue reading
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Recollections of a Broken Spirit
Several years ago, not long after I started the business that I finally abandoned for a sabbatical/ retirement, a guy I knew from a professional association to which I belonged contacted me. He called me as part of his networking efforts … Continue reading
Posted in Memories, Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality
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August 2: Thoughts for the Day
If I had all the answers, I would know how to respond to all my questions. Last night, we met many neighbors at an event organized in our “honor” to welcome us to the neighborhood. Wine, hors d’oeuvre, and conversation. Appreciative … Continue reading
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Breaking Out of the Protective Shell
The talk this evening was about local wildlife. Deer, of course. And bobcats. Foxes. Coyotes. Black bears. Roadrunners. Cougars. Eagles. Hawks. The list goes one. I’ve only seen a few of the beasts, but neighbors swear they’re all in the … Continue reading
Posted in Moving, Philosophy
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August 1: Thoughts for the Day
Doing your best is the best you can do.
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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
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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
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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
Posted in This Week with Swinburn
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