Author Archives: Swany
Sea Monsters Unmasked
London sundial
Brussels sprouts from the garden
Bear attack on bird feeder
About 10 pm on the night of the last full moon, I was awakened by thumping sounds. Checking it out, I sighted a black bear leaving the balcony. I tossed a black cat but the bear was already gone. The birdhouse could be bent back into shape. It has survived three bear attacks and countless skirmishes by squirrels. Chickadees the only birds at the feeder this week, they are dainty eaters.
Snowshoes
Being as how it was the first snow of the season, I fashioned a pair of snow shoes in the traditional style.
They fit fine in the morning, but by supper time they had shrunk so’s I could hardly get them off my feet.
I’ve Been All Around This World
Hang me, oh, hang me and I’ll be dead and gone Hang me, oh, hang me and I’ll be dead and gone I wouldn’t mind the hanging Lord it’s laying in jail so long boys I’ve been all around this world Working on the new railroad, mud up to my knees Working on the new railroad, mud up to my knees Working for John Henry, and he’s mighty hard to please Been all around this world Went up on the mountain, there I took my stand Went up on the mountain, there I took my stand Rifle on my shoulder, six shooter in my hand Been all around this world Lulu, oh Lulu, come and open that door Lulu, oh Lulu, come and open that door Before I have to open it with my old forty-four Been all around this world Mama and papa and baby sister makes three Mama and papa and baby sister makes three Take me down to the gallows boys that’s the last they’ll see of me Been all around this world Now if you meet a rich girl, boys, send her down the line Now if you meet a rich girl, boys, send her down the line If you meet a poor girl, bet she’s a friend of mine Been all around this world
The Undertaking
by John Donne
I HAVE done one braver thing
Than all the Worthies did ;
And yet a braver thence doth spring,
Which is, to keep that hid.
It were but madness now to impart
The skill of specular stone,
When he, which can have learn’d the art
To cut it, can find none.
So, if I now should utter this,
Others—because no more
Such stuff to work upon, there is—
Would love but as before.
But he who loveliness within
Hath found, all outward loathes,
For he who color loves, and skin,
Loves but their oldest clothes.
If, as I have, you also do
Virtue in woman see,
And dare love that, and say so too,
And forget the He and She ;
And if this love, though placèd so,
From profane men you hide,
Which will no faith on this bestow,
Or, if they do, deride ;
Then you have done a braver thing
Than all the Worthies did ;
And a braver thence will spring,
Which is, to keep that hid.
It’s that time
That time he rescued her from the Hairy Ainu in the far north, by sheer force of personality. And that time the pope broke wind, when the first man was executed for jaywalking. That time the last of the Mohicans got her wings clipped, half way to the next life.