Author Archives: John Swinburn

About John Swinburn

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

The Appeal of a Buddhist Framework.

Posted on November 16, 2012 by John Swinburn

Some people consider Buddhism a religion. I don’t. I consider Buddism a perspective or a contextual reference, a framework within which one can try to understand one’s relationship with the world in which one lives. I’ve struggled to understand why … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Religion | 2 Comments

Ennui of a Deeply Personal Nature

Posted on November 14, 2012 by John Swinburn

I have not been in the mood to write much of late. but I thought I should post a few notes just to prove to myself that I remain moderately alive. The reasons for my lack of interest in recording … Continue reading →

Posted in Depression | 3 Comments

A Tasty Disappointment

Posted on November 11, 2012 by John Swinburn

I made dinner tonight. The idea was to have a nice vegetarian meal, tasty yet filling. So I browned slices of eggplant in olive oil, then layered the eggplant slices with slices of tomatoes and slices of onion, topping the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | 2 Comments

Time Change

Posted on November 4, 2012 by John Swinburn

What does one do when one forgets to set the clock back an hour when Daylight Saving Time ends? One wakes up an hour earlier than one planned.

Posted in Time | 1 Comment

Remembering Mary Eleanor Swinburn

Posted on November 1, 2012 by John Swinburn

I don’t know quite what to do to celebrate my late sister’s birthday tomorrow, November 2. She died February 19, 2010. I guess I’ll just remember how remarkable she was. She, more than anyone I know, made me understand why … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Love | 1 Comment

The Magical Meal

Posted on October 31, 2012 by John Swinburn

When my wife and I were in San Antonio a few days ago we had dinner at Bohanan’s, an upscale steak restaurant on Houston Street, not far from the downtown river walk. We had been planning to have dinner there … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Food, Travel | 2 Comments

An Evolving Political Manifesto

Posted on October 29, 2012 by John Swinburn

I have repeatedly expressed my support for President Obama’s election…again. I have spoken against the possibility of a Romney White House. I have encouraged…and still do encourage…people to vote to return Obama to the Presidency. You’d think I was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Politics | 2 Comments

More on Religion

Posted on October 28, 2012 by John Swinburn

I have an acquaintance who’s an Episcopalian. I know this because he frequently comments about his faith on his Facebook page. He makes no bones about his faith, but neither does he condemn people of other faiths or those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality | 2 Comments

Lost and Angry

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Swinburn

Every time I get away from the city, I take a risk. I risk overwhelming sensations of longing for a life close to the land. It’s cliché, but it’s real. I want so badly to feel connected to the earth, … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Wisdom | 1 Comment

The Road

Posted on October 24, 2012 by John Swinburn

If just for one day, a road trip is what I need now. And it shall be. We don’t know where we’re heading, but we’re off in a while, maybe south, maybe west, maybe off toward the pine forests of … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment

Random Thoughts

Posted on October 23, 2012 by John Swinburn

Fashion Models It occurred to me before but as I was skimming an old copy of D Magazine it struck me again. Young female fashion models who have their photos taken wearing haute couture, whether bikinis and impossibly tall spiked heels … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams, Philosophy, Politics, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Weather Forecast

Posted on October 22, 2012 by John Swinburn

Today: Expect cataclysmic thunderstorms, some capable of producing epic floods and nuclear-force winds, to form before noon today along a line from Anchorage, Alaska to the western edge of Iceland. A line of massive thunder showers was observed moments ago by … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Weather | 2 Comments

Another Year Older

Posted on October 21, 2012 by John Swinburn

Birthdays used to excite passion. They were occasions to mark progress toward some desirable future, some as yet unclaimed state of affairs, that would be better than today. This murky, never-articulated premise for celebrating birthdays was never clear, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Philosophy | 3 Comments

Lucien Freud: Portraits

Posted on October 20, 2012 by John Swinburn

Yesterday, we drove over to view the Lucien Freud: Portraits exhibit at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth before the ends of its run on October 28. It was one of the best exhibits I’ve seen. While Freud’s technical … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | 2 Comments

An Enlightening Perspective

Posted on October 19, 2012 by John Swinburn

On occasion, I relearn something I’ve long since learned and lost. Sometimes when that happens, I’m struck by the fact that I’ve allowed myself to forget something so pleasing, so enlightening. This morning was one of those occasions. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Improper perspective, rectified

Posted on October 16, 2012 by John Swinburn

I dropped the aging Camry with the mechanic at about 8:45 this morning. I had decided to walk back home, rather than take the bus, because I hadn’t taken my normal walk this morning. And I needed to do some … Continue reading →

Posted in Cars, Philosophy, Walking | 1 Comment

A Brief History of the Past Few Hours

Posted on October 15, 2012 by John Swinburn

We met our friend, Jim, for lunch today at Flavors, an Indian restaurant in Addison. While I enjoyed the food, it wasn’t exceptional like it was the last visit. But I am not one to complain about an Indian buffet … Continue reading →

Posted in Cars, Food | Leave a comment

Photos from Mexico

Posted on October 14, 2012 by John Swinburn

I was not as much of a photographer as I would liked to have been during our visit with my brother and his wife in Mexico. However, I rationalize the relative paucity of photos by arguing that I was more … Continue reading →

Posted in Mexico | 6 Comments

Motion?

Posted on October 13, 2012 by John Swinburn

So, now, we’re really back home in Dallas. Competing emotions are everywhere. The home you’ve built has enormous attraction, but the adventure of powerlessness has its appeal. Let me think on it. Maybe I’ll have a perspective, one day.

Posted in Housiing | Leave a comment

Back home in Ajijic

Posted on October 11, 2012 by John Swinburn

Four-plus hours after we started the journey from Manzanillo back to Ajijic, we arrived. After a quick bite at a wonderful open-air restaurant (best grilled octopus I’ve ever had), we’re unwinding at my brother’s and sister-in-law’s place. Here are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Mexico | 2 Comments

Questions, always questions

Posted on October 10, 2012 by John Swinburn

Rain and thunder awakened me for the second day in a row. Before daybreak, the volume and intensity of the rain confirmed another very heavy downpour, but like yesterday the weather changed quickly to a hazy, humid, overcast day, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Mexico | 2 Comments

Beach life

Posted on October 9, 2012 by John Swinburn

Last night or early this morning the skies over Manzanillo ruptured. Before daylight the sound of rain pelting the tile roof and windows was deafening. Thunder rattled the building and flashes of lightning lit the entire apartment. A short while … Continue reading →

Posted in Mexico, Water | 3 Comments

Barra de Navidad

Posted on October 7, 2012 by John Swinburn

Got up late this morning, again. Lolled about on the patio, playing Words with Friends, then I make a quick breakfast of tocino de pavo y juevos. The four of us then drove toward Barra de Navidad, a seacoast town … Continue reading →

Posted in Mexico | 2 Comments

Observation

Posted on October 5, 2012 by John Swinburn

The sounds of Pacific Ocean waves pounding against the shore are extraordinary. Massive crashing thuds remove any misconception that humans control this planet. We are powerless. We can only sit and observe in righteous awe.

Posted in Mexico, Philosophy | 2 Comments

Another life, another time