Author Archives: sputterpub

Redundant Repetition

Posted on September 28, 2011 by sputterpub

Katie and I were conversing awhile ago about words that have taken on a pejorative tone even though they shouldn’t. “Critical” has come to suggest finding fault in something, and “judgment” is so tainted that exercising the ability, about other … Continue reading →

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While Reading Ouspensky

Posted on September 27, 2011 by sputterpub

He gave a book to me to read him in, as if it were a key to see his heart, as if it were a magic talisman to treasure, that can wedge the rocks apart to plumb the reach of … Continue reading →

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Three Little Words

Posted on September 26, 2011 by sputterpub

I met with a tough-talking attorney some years ago. He interviewed me to determine whether he wanted my little firm to handle his retirement plan. We sat in his conference room and discussed where I’d been and my approach and … Continue reading →

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Backtitled

Posted on September 23, 2011 by sputterpub

I watched a striving author try to write a novel once, a score of years ago, except his search for perfect title quite disabled him. His story wouldn’t grow until he had initiated it with words he mined, and screened, … Continue reading →

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Power

Posted on September 22, 2011 by sputterpub

I hated the powerlessness of childhood. My parents tried to determine what I ate and what I wore and when I slept, peed, or felt angry. At least one of them answered most of my why questions with that button-pushing … Continue reading →

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Pomes Away

Posted on September 21, 2011 by sputterpub

Someone told me recently that a pomegranate is really an apple bomb. I think that’s correct. In fact, the dictionary says the pomegranate (punica granatum) comes from the Latin words pomum (apple) and granatus (seeded). We’ve all seen pome before. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Language | 2 Comments

Bureaucracy

Posted on September 20, 2011 by sputterpub

The escalator ribbons up, the while a young man keeps his place by walking down. He practices his rap and makes us smile who weren’t yet awake enough to frown. But here’s a BART announcement in the air: The disembodied … Continue reading →

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TV Interruptus

Posted on September 19, 2011 by sputterpub

“Dinner time!” “Just a minute Ma.” “No. Now. Your food’s going to get cold.” “But Mom, the show’s about to …” “Get in here now! You can watch the show when they rerun it.” I came, I ate, and I … Continue reading →

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After Rain, Quakes and Slides

Posted on September 16, 2011 by sputterpub

It appears that I started this sonnet in January 1993, after two close quakes and too much rain. I remember that the second earthquake was so abrupt it shook the water out of my nightstand drinking glass but left the … Continue reading →

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Unwisdom

Posted on September 15, 2011 by sputterpub

Three days ago I put up a post about a show I watched. The program refuted the idea that there’s a balance in nature, and I was puzzled. I don’t see enduring balance in nature. I don’t think there is … Continue reading →

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