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.

“It’s not just writers…”

Posted on June 27, 2018 by JMN

“It’s not just writers. It’s everyone. The writer is just an extreme case of something everyone struggles with. ‘On the one hand, to function well, you have to believe in yourself and your abilities and summon enormous confidence from somewhere. … Continue reading →

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Save the Queen from what?

Posted on June 27, 2018 by JMN

The Windsors are richer than Croesus and cosseted in  indescribably privileged circumstances, lavished with lifetime stipends for performing ceremonial chores, kowtowed to and fawned over by legions of adoring subjects who may or may not have a recently purchased pair … Continue reading →

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Jerry had a sweet tooth

Posted on June 27, 2018 by JMN
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Stud Bird

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

I’ve spent some of my life working with (for?) adolescents. We were told their behavior and dress, especially the parts adults liked to fret about, were attributable to hormones. I don’t know. Hormones weren’t my field. However, I think of … Continue reading →

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“Carnage”

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

If I were a movie critic I’d be chronically behind the times. I shy away from movies that are popular. I don’t think I’ll ever see “Avatar” or anything labeled “Shrek.” It took me years to get to “Titanic.” Too … Continue reading →

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“Monk was the reason…”

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

Monk was the reason I went to work for Barker Tools, what was it, sixty-nine, seventy? He was district manager working out of Kingsville. Hired me as a field rep. You bumped into some squirrely sons-of-britches in the oil patch, … Continue reading →

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The Northernness

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

“If you’re full of beauty and positive things it’s harder for stuff to get to you. Joy is not a luxury that you can tack on when you’ve sorted everything out, joy is how you will sort out your problems… … Continue reading →

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“We must…”

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

“We must resist the temptation to opt out of politics and to assume that nothing can be done in face of all the current ugliness, deception and corruption. Arendt’s lifelong project was to honestly confront and comprehend the darkness of … Continue reading →

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“Doubtless your streets…”

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

Doubtless your streets teem with miscreants and errant strollers. The windows of your cottages must be festooned with mock lace. Your doors surely sag on their hinges. Your tiny gardens must be rank with common gillyflowers and copied statues. Your … Continue reading →

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“Laughter is breath…”

Posted on June 25, 2018 by JMN

“Laughter is breath, it alters your being, and it allows you to move on, and keep living.” (Anna Mackmin, quoted by Patrick Barkham in The Guardian) There’s so much to like in the blog world. As one finding his feet … Continue reading →

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