Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

When You’re Gagging on Humbug, Remember Someone Fondly

Posted on March 7, 2025 by JMN

The family must have had a matriarchal streak, for I was grandly mothered. Grandmother had a choir-dominating soprano voice in the native stone church. She knew her way around the hymnal. Could coax some harmony from the ivories of an … Continue reading →

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Messy Bacon

Posted on March 5, 2025 by JMN

I know an artist who thinks her studio is cluttered. The photo is from this article. (c) 2025 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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A Bath of Warm Syrup Cooked from Stalk Cut in the ‘Family’ Canebrake

Posted on February 22, 2025 by JMN

My car radio is newly parked on my local country-western music station. It’s giving me the opportunity to hear music tangled in my ranch roots. The music partakes of both the familiar and the strange. In certain respects I’ve changed … Continue reading →

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The Coarsest of Coarse Discourse Courses Through the Corridors

Posted on February 14, 2025 by JMN

English isn’t made for rhyming compared to Spanish, French or Arabic. Alliteration was its strong suit of old. My title flaunts it with a homophone. It also goes to town on sibilants, which is icing on the cake. That’s a … Continue reading →

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‘Johanne Sacreblu[e]’: “Gracias a todos y a cada uno de ustedes”

Posted on February 10, 2025 by JMN

My title is the ending tag line of “JOHANNE SACREBLU[E] ‘el musical’ un homenaje a EMILIA PEREZ.” Adapted to the English formula, it means “Thanks to each and every one of you.” Camila D. Aurora is the artist behind the … Continue reading →

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Cussing with Class

Posted on February 2, 2025 by JMN

“Governor Newscum.”  Tut tut, Sir, it’s a scruffy taunt. My granddad put reverse English on his curses with statements such as: The blessèd cinch strap on this saddle is busted! And my uncle by marriage had the same name as … Continue reading →

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How Disparate Writings Intertwine

Posted on January 27, 2025 by JMN

“Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history.” (Donald Trump, from Second Inaugural Address) Mr. Trump dictates revelation for his irrupting dispensation. There are impromptu connections one makes in … Continue reading →

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My Gawd! There Was Out-Bespoken Garb Galore at the Glitzy Gala

Posted on January 21, 2025 by JMN

Finally, the rich are going to get a fair shake in this country. Hail, lord of hosts! From somewhere near the Gulf of America, wishing you a nice day. Yours in freezing… PS: There are some rivers in Texas that … Continue reading →

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How Fare the Wayfarers, Fled and Fleeing?

Posted on December 25, 2024 by JMN

So the last shall be first… Wishing for all a home-finding; respite, refuge, safe harbour, dry land; where possible: cheer. (c) 2024 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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A Little Knowledge (I Refer to Mine) Is Dangerous (and Fun)

Posted on December 8, 2024 by JMN

Reiterating at the outset: The “little knowledge” I mention in my title is my own! Novelist-Poet-Thinker-Dauntless-Traveler Gary Gautier recently touched in his blog on an engrossing philosophical quandary, mentioning an idea expressed by Immanuel Kant: The idea that we have … Continue reading →

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