Author Archives: sputterpub

Multitasking

Posted on July 19, 2011 by sputterpub

One day two years ago, Lisa asked why we think it’s good to multitask, and her question stopped me cold. I couldn’t come up with a good answer. I’ve given the subject more thought since, and I am boggled at … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

The BART Effect

Posted on July 18, 2011 by sputterpub

They don’t give out full information, but I just happened to ride the escalator with the responding emergency personnel, so I knew it was one septuagenarian who took our BART train out of service. “It’s her hip,” the station agent … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction | Leave a comment

Indelible

Posted on July 15, 2011 by sputterpub

I knew a man once who had a couple of sons, and he loved them with all his heart. But he viewed his boys as the sort of noble savages folks say Rousseau described – he figured that, left to … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

Tenants

Posted on July 14, 2011 by sputterpub

I was away from the Berkeley cottage for seven days a couple of weeks ago, and it appears there was a change in tenancy during my absence. Relocation is appropriate at this time of year in a college town. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Critters | Leave a comment

Tether

Posted on July 13, 2011 by sputterpub

I was editing a post recently, and I replaced the word “leash” with “tether.” The act made me conscious about the words in a way I’d never experienced. Offhand the difference is about direction. Both items are leads and both … Continue reading →

Posted in Language | Leave a comment

Condiments

Posted on July 12, 2011 by sputterpub

  They say variety’s a lively spice, but I think there are hotter condiments. A stress of any kind makes me feel twice as much as difference does. And for immense enlivening, anxiety’s the seed more mustardy, the pepper without … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

Desserts

Posted on July 11, 2011 by sputterpub

     I had an amazing dessert recently, which reminded me of two other memorable sweet courses. I was struck by the quality they all shared – absence of chocolate – and that got me wondering. I adore chocolate. Seldom does … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Lessons | Leave a comment

The Job

Posted on July 8, 2011 by sputterpub

  “I’m not a-skeered o’ you,” I declare to my offspring, even though she’s now almost 418 months old and he’s nearly 349. Talk about whistling in the dark – they terrify me. My children are passionate, capable of expressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Urban Trails

Posted on July 7, 2011 by sputterpub

I fell on the sidewalk two months ago. I was walking to BART on a warm day, and I tripped on some uneven pavement. I went down hard. I smashed my knee and tore some muscle or worse near my … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Lessons | 2 Comments

Carrot

Posted on July 6, 2011 by sputterpub

Let me tell you about carrots. I had no idea they were going to feature so prominently in my life. Danny loves them. I think he has always wanted at least a pound a day, and he has often achieved … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Language | Leave a comment