Author Archives: John Swinburn

It’s stunning, sometimes, to realize how wonderful one can feel sitting on a deck under a canopy of trees, being caressed by a gentle cool breeze. That was yesterday. And stunning was magnified by the fact that the restaurant upon whose deck … Continue reading →

If teachers, from elementary school though high school, were given free reign over their classrooms and were rewarded financially for student performance, I suspect students might be “smarter.”

Waking up in sunlight is better than not waking up at all, but it makes me wonder whether it was dark at 5:00 a.m. this morning—or did the sun just rise earlier than normal?

Creativity stems from a willingness to ask questions for which there are no answers, then answering them.  It is imagination, given free rein, behaving as if it were reality. It is a flight of fancy with legs and a strong back. I … Continue reading →

Do not forget, whether they were the deeply wise words of Plato or the mumblings of a drunken sailor: “Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

“Want.” What is it that causes us to “want” something?  A bigger house, a new car, softer furniture, the latest Apple gadget, more friends? Is it an emotional need, a longing, a desire?  Is it unbridled greed? If we can … Continue reading →

Watching a television news announcement last night about the discovery of planet similar in size to earth that could be hospitable to life as we know it, I felt an incredible pang of sadness. The sadness arose from my acknowledgement … Continue reading →

Even the least significant aspects of life can be stunningly exciting, if given the opportunity to be seen for what they are. Everything, and I mean everything, is wondrous!

The discovery of what may be Saturn’s 63rd moon is evidence that the universe, or at least our solar system, is in flux.  And so, too, are we.

When nature offers opportunities to see spectacular events, like the blood moon I missed early this morning, there’s a deep sense of disappointment in failing to do what it takes to take advantage of the opportunity. It’s worth being jolted awake … Continue reading →

When faced with a long list of things to accomplish, I know it makes more sense to tackle the more difficult ones first.  But sometimes the lists are so overwhelming, I try to trick myself into developing a rhythm of … Continue reading →

Today is the 34th anniversary of my marriage to my favorite wife. We shall celebrate in some special way to mark this milestone.  I think we’re only about halfway through this marriage, I do. The longer I can make this … Continue reading →