Category Archives: Health

Weight, Weight, Don’t Tell Me

Posted on January 22, 2016 by John Swinburn

In spite of adhering to Phase I of the South Beach diet, albeit not religiously, my weight loss seems to have slowed to a crawl and, from day-to-day, even to see-saw back and forth. Yesterday, I had lost 11.6 pounds … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Just Thinking | 5 Comments

Ach. Pain.

Posted on January 17, 2016 by John Swinburn

My visit to the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow ended badly. I don’t know what it was—hoisting a suitcase into the car for the return trip home or reaching across the day-bed to strip the sheets from that odd piece … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

On the Record

Posted on January 9, 2016 by John Swinburn

As of this morning, I’m down nine pounds since January 1. I wish I could go out walking so I can keep the momentum going (and I suppose I could, if I were willing to slog around in the rain, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health | 2 Comments

Headspace and Breather

Posted on January 7, 2016 by John Swinburn

I just completed my first “Headspace” session, one of ten introductory freebies offered to expose prospective clients to online guided meditation and related ‘stuff.’ A friend’s daughter-in-law recommended Headspace to me. Though I’ve done a bit of meditation in the past … Continue reading →

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When Loss is Gain

Posted on January 7, 2016 by John Swinburn

The early stages of an exercise routine, coupled with a healthy change in eating habits, give quick results. The results I experienced during the first six days of 2016 are almost too good; if I were to expect the same pace to … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Happiness, Health | 3 Comments

Images and Meditations

Posted on January 6, 2016 by John Swinburn

If my creative juices refuse to flow this morning, at the very least I can put this blog to some practical use. So, I decided to make a permanent place for the records of my three minor morning strolls so … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Walking | Leave a comment

Held Accountable

Posted on January 1, 2016 by John Swinburn

I am among those who, in years past, dismissed the idea of New Year’s resolutions as exercises in futility. Why? Because I had made them and failed to accomplish what I had resolved to do. Furthermore, I didn’t feel at … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Resolutions | 3 Comments

Would That I Could See, But Not Feel

Posted on September 22, 2015 by John Swinburn

I was expecting the same experience with my left eye after cataract surgery as I had with my right eye. I had no reason to expect anything else. But this is not like last time around. My eye feels like … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

A Little Ugliness

Posted on September 9, 2015 by John Swinburn

Just a couple of weeks ago, during my annual physical, I told my doctor my Crohn’s disease has been in remission for a number of years, with only a very rare flare-up. Yesterday, that very rare flare-up occurred; at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

A New View

Posted on August 10, 2015 by John Swinburn

Today, I am having my right eye amputated. Not really. I’m just having the lens in my right eye removed and replaced with a bionic lens. That is, I’m having cataract surgery. When I first went to the ophthalmologist early … Continue reading →

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Tough Days

Posted on July 7, 2015 by John Swinburn

Yesterday was a tough day, as I learned from a friend that she was afraid her husband, also a friend, might be dying. Just a few days ago, he was taken from the rehab center where he is undergoing physical … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Death, Friendship, Health | 3 Comments

Loathing in the Natural State

Posted on June 22, 2015 by John Swinburn

I am having serious reservations about staying here. I do not know whether central Arkansas is really the place for me. These doubts have little to do with the ugliness of the political environment and everything to do with the entomological … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 3 Comments

Languishing

Posted on May 14, 2015 by John Swinburn

The shriveled old women and wizened old men—sitting alone in wheel chairs and recliners in a large, airy room—look upset. They have reason to be angry. Trapped in uncooperative bodies, they are forced to live in a prison for the weak … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Health, Love, Philosophy | 2 Comments

Another Plane of Thought

Posted on April 3, 2015 by John Swinburn

Today is my day for tooth planing.  That sounds horrible.  I hope it’s not as bad as it sounds. By day’s end, it will be behind me, save for the remnants of numbness and perhaps some swelling and a little … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Just Thinking, Writing | Leave a comment

The Best Medical Care in the World

Posted on March 12, 2015 by John Swinburn

Among the many arguments against nationalized medicine is the suggestion that our “best medical care in the world” would suffer under nationalization.  Immediately following the assertion that nationalization would be an abysmal affront to humanity and would lead to long delays … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Humor | 1 Comment

Wrong Brand

Posted on March 12, 2015 by John Swinburn

You can narrowly miss the wall when you aim right for it.  That suggests, of course, you  may have selected the wrong brand of tequila.

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Let’s Get Physical

Posted on March 11, 2015 by John Swinburn

I haven’t had a physical in a long, long time.  One of the downsides of moving is the need to find a new physician.  I continue to experience that downside.  I have not selected a new “family doctor,” and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

My Friends

Posted on February 28, 2015 by John Swinburn

I got an unexpected and unpleasant phone call tonight.  A friend called to say her husband is back in the hospital and, depending on the outcome of tests and evaluations and assessments, may not come home.  He may have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Health | 1 Comment

I Need Hands on My Body

Posted on February 24, 2015 by John Swinburn

WANTED: Full-body massage, followed by regular hour-long back-rub leading to focused manipulation of hands, feet, and back of head and upper neck.  Willing to pay up to one hundred million dollars, or trade for the eternal rights to my soul, … Continue reading →

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Those Eyes

Posted on January 15, 2015 by John Swinburn

Well, the ophthalmologist has spoken.  My self-diagnosis of map dot fingerprint dystrophy was wrong.  I would have failed the final exam in medical school, I suppose. The problem with my right eye, it turns out, is an early-onset cataract.  Most … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health | Leave a comment

Dental Synchronicity

Posted on December 14, 2014 by John Swinburn

My wife and I must have some degree of synchronicity with respect to our dental health. The last time I had a dental emergency (rare doesn’t adequately describe it; it was the first and only time), just a few months … Continue reading →

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Glaze and Fire

Posted on December 3, 2014 by John Swinburn

I think Robin must have been right; the world is not a just place.  If it were, I would have kicked the sick a couple of days ago.  Alas, injustice and illness go hand in hand, it seems. I’m better, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Health | 2 Comments

Sickish

Posted on December 1, 2014 by John Swinburn

Even a vague illness can be annoying and disruptive. Yesterday, whatever had been playing with me caught up, effectively knocking me out for the afternoon. I got up long enough to have Thanksgiving dinner number two (my wife roasted a … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Respite from Expectations

Posted on November 17, 2014 by John Swinburn

The simple act of living in a world of expectations is hard.  It requires mental energy in every waking moment.  Even as we attempt to recover through sleep, there they are, those expectations stalking our dreams just as they slink … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness, Health, Just Thinking, Philosophy, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Peanuts are Purveyors of Pain

Posted on October 5, 2014 by John Swinburn

I’ve been awake for nearly an hour, after almost ten and a half hours of fitful and uncomfortable sleep. We got home just after six-thirty last night, after spending all day at the Showcase of the Arts at the Ponce de … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health, Self-discipline | Leave a comment