Author Archives: JMN

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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. I like to read and memorize poetry.

On Mistranslation

Posted on July 29, 2018 by JMN

When Jerome, the patron saint of translators, rendered the Bible into Latin, he introduced a pun that created one of the most potent symbols of Christian iconography, turning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (“malus”) into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Quotations | Tagged | 3 Comments

“Tibi Dabo”

Posted on July 28, 2018 by JMN

“… et ait ei tibi dabo potestatem hanc universam et gloriam illorum quia mihi tradita sunt et cui volo do illa.” Copyright (c) 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.

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Thank you, and “I Could Eat Your Words”

Posted on July 28, 2018 by JMN

Check out this video on YouTube: Thank you to my precious, patient readers who spend a moment of their invaluable time to look my way here on EthidalDative. I can only strive to repay the compliment. And although I try … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 3 Comments

LinkedIn Just Gave You a New Reason to Make Fun of LinkedIn

Posted on July 28, 2018 by JMN

LinkedIn, a social network for people who enjoy soul-crushing banality, knows you get more than a few emails from randos wanting to add you to their “professional network.” Sick of reading messages from these random acquaintances looking to discuss synergy-based … Continue reading →

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“Los meros meros” again

Posted on July 28, 2018 by JMN

Guillermo Chapa was a member of the culture I was assigned to teach Spanish at as a rookie assistant-prof at Pan Am-Brownsville. I said teach “at” instead of “to” because almost all my students already knew the language — I … Continue reading →

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Los Meros Meros

Posted on July 27, 2018 by JMN

Check out this video on YouTube: I love this video. It makes me grin and tap my foot. Current Stats for Future Reference (2018) Decline in city’s median age last 7 years: 36.4 to 35.8. Hispanic population of county: 47% … Continue reading →

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The Road of Paint: Zadie Smith, “Henry Taylor’s Promiscuous Painting,” New Yorker, July 30, 2018 issue

Posted on July 26, 2018 by JMN

[Henry Taylor’s paintings are transfixing for me. I’m infinity shy of his league as a painter, but I was touched by the “road of chaos… road of paint” phrase that Zadie Smith uses to name the path that Taylor has … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Quotations | Tagged | 8 Comments

Overheard in the Teachers’ Lounge

Posted on July 25, 2018 by JMN

One of our football coaches, a vet in his forties, recounted how his wife ribbed him about being a neat freak. “Your underwear drawer is relentlessly organized, your t-shirts are folded, your Levis are on hangers!” she would exclaim. His … Continue reading →

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Dear Mother… I also finished

Posted on July 25, 2018 by JMN

I also finished the “Teacher in America” book and loaned it to Charles last night. Herbert, Charles and I had lunch last week and I mentioned the book to them. Herbert knew of Barzun, said he had read several of … Continue reading →

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Finger Hut Follies

Posted on July 25, 2018 by JMN

Mimsy and Chance Lafarge went to Cloudburst for the weekend to celebrate their tenth anniversary. Drove up in two cars with Dandi and Mitch Oddbocker and Shay and Rafe Bickford. Planned to split up on Saturday so Mimsy, Dandi, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged | 7 Comments