Author Archives: sputterpub

The General

Posted on February 7, 2012 by sputterpub

I ambled in the park the other day, beneath the overcast and through the clumps of eucalyptus, picked a level way that dodged the poison oak and gnarly stumps and brought me when I paused before the tree. It was … Continue reading →

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TED Talk

Posted on February 6, 2012 by sputterpub

I had lunch a few months ago with a friend, and she told me how exciting it had been for her to attend a TED talk, live. I can’t remember whom she saw, but she glowed with the recent experience. … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

Boredom

Posted on February 3, 2012 by sputterpub

“What should I do?” the child asks again, and mother says amid her busyness, “Go hit your head against a wall” and then “Don’t bother me – this kitchen is a mess.” That’s how suburban childhood plays out among advantages … Continue reading →

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How to Tell Them They’re Wrong

Posted on February 2, 2012 by sputterpub

Most of the time, if you say “You’re wrong” to someone, you just get his back up. Even if you make it funny (“R-O-N-G: wrong!” my dad used to declare), the accused gets accused, gets defensive, argues or pouts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | 2 Comments

Synthetic Plastics

Posted on February 1, 2012 by sputterpub

I know, I know. I’ve even said it myself: complaining about language change is as boring as nostalgia and as useless as confessing you’re insecure; it should be taken to the privacy of your room. Even so, now and then, … Continue reading →

Posted in Language | Leave a comment

Style

Posted on January 31, 2012 by sputterpub

I knit myself a sweater out of steel in knotty mesh of chain link irony. Entwining my protection had appeal, but that apparel had no room for me to stretch an arm or add a bit of length, and it … Continue reading →

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May(o)hem

Posted on January 30, 2012 by sputterpub

I dislike mayonnaise, but I succumb to it. I can’t come up with a better lube for tuna or egg salad. I used to make my own, when I had a full house and a food processor, but the homemade … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Leave a comment

The Third Charm

Posted on January 27, 2012 by sputterpub

Prometheus put fire at our feet. He taught us to control its smoke and blaze. Then we could warm the night, and cook the meat, and fire pots, and so evolve a ways. And someone sometime stumbled on the wheel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legends, Poetry | Leave a comment

Chronos (End)

Posted on January 26, 2012 by sputterpub

Pete was starting his meal with the white corn soup and she was trying the heirloom tomato gazpacho when Lily told him she thought the most powerful god was Morpheus. “Yeah. God of Sleep,” she confirmed, leaning over her bowl. … Continue reading →

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Chronos (Middle)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by sputterpub

If Lily’s father comes in he’ll ask after Zack, so maybe she should distract him with the watch. She doesn’t want to talk about her son. Zack went camping with his girlfriend Eli, and Lily’s father doesn’t approve of premarital … Continue reading →

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