Author Archives: JMN

About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day, and watch Netflix and Prime Video for entertainment. I like to read and memorize poetry.

Long Live the Sword

Posted on October 13, 2019

I have learned from a knighted man that the sword with which the Queen says “Arise, Sir Botolph” is the sword of Ethelred the Unready. The sword of Ethelred makes George Washington’s seem forged an hour ago. It takes a … Continue reading →

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No Speculation, Please

Posted on October 11, 2019

The mayor of Dallas has urged people to avoid speculation after a key witness in the murder trial of the police officer Amber Guyger was shot dead, days after the officer’s conviction and sentencing. “Amber Guyger case: mayor says to … Continue reading →

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The Critic Almost Ran Out of Praise

Posted on October 11, 2019

Here’s a review of Nick Cave’s album “Ghosteen” that has a left-handed conclusion. On one level, it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s as good as it is: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have been in a career-high purple patch … Continue reading →

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Words With Eyes

Posted on October 6, 2019

Viewing a Kirchner painting always makes me want to say more than I know how. I’ve seen this painting several times. A picture best speaks for itself, but a good art critic’s words can add to its impact. In “Berlin … Continue reading →

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Shot Fox

Posted on October 6, 2019

“He may think spaffing some last-minute cash has shot Labour’s fox.” (Polly Toynbee, “The Tories have split the country. No spending splurge can repair it,” theguardian.com, 9-30-19) I couldn’t say it better than that though I knew what it meant. … Continue reading →

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Smugglers With a Heart

Posted on October 6, 2019

A statement that the police boat “span out of control” is a perfect error modeled on the “begin-began-begun” pattern, eminently forgivable in an article sourced from a non-English news agency. My real reason for blogging this article is admiration for … Continue reading →

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Illustration of the Day

Posted on October 6, 2019

(From Richard Reeves, “Now the Rich Want Your Pity,” NYTimes, 10-5-19) I don’t believe a picture is always worth several words. But this one is. (c) 2019 JMN

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