Author Archives: sputterpub

The Napple Muses

Posted on December 21, 2010 by sputterpub

 When I was around 11 years old, Andy was a handful. He was an outgoing toddler with an active curiosity and the soul of an explorer. Everywhere he went, he asked questions and made friends. And he tried to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Kidspeak | Leave a comment

Bookkeeping

Posted on December 20, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was 13 I ran for the school office of bookkeeper. I was unopposed, and I only ran at the suggestion of some teacher or counselor; she told me the job needed doing and she said I was capable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Money Stuff | Leave a comment

For Your Consideration

Posted on December 17, 2010 by sputterpub

  When I was 55 I began to lose my mind. It wasn’t anything to worry about, and I’m still functioning well enough years later, but some small items became slippery. For example, I shampoo my hair every other day. That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Question | Leave a comment

No Show

Posted on December 16, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was 9 or 10 years old, the tooth fairy failed to visit. Before I went to sleep I placed my tissue-wrapped tooth under my pillow. When I awoke I sent my hand right there, ready to grasp a … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

Camp Pendleton

Posted on December 15, 2010 by sputterpub

   When I was 20 I entered Camp Pendleton with Lisa. According to Marine records, we never left. We were visiting her mother in Laguna Beach that summer week, and we were avoiding her conversation that evening. Lisa borrowed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

What is a Question

Posted on December 14, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was 21 I read the most elegant reasoning about honesty. I was into the fourth book of Gulliver’s Travels, and when the houyhnhnm expressed incredulity about lying – when he considered that language was created to communicate so … Continue reading →

Posted in Question | Leave a comment

Testing

Posted on December 13, 2010 by sputterpub

 When I was 8 I began to notice tests. Before then I remember some arithmetic drills, but I’m not sure they were administered by a teacher; I seem to recall columns of numbers that Mom gave me to add and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, School | Leave a comment

Uh Oh

Posted on December 10, 2010 by sputterpub

Imagine you’re sitting in your house in coastal northern California, like I am, and listening to an exciting weather forecast. The meteorologists are expecting a storm of significant force. Local creeks may flood and there could be trouble in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pavement

Posted on December 9, 2010 by sputterpub

   When I was 15 it seemed like all I wanted to do was walk around outside. Especially in winter, when the streets were less crowded, especially at night when the scene was more inspiring. My parents objected. It wasn’t about … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | 3 Comments

Any Questions

Posted on December 8, 2010 by sputterpub

I went on a holy land cruise this year. After I booked the trip I realized that the holy land isn’t actually coastal, which meant a long bus ride every shore excursion to get to the holy part that wasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Question | Leave a comment