Author Archives: Jim

Enduring the year-end story

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Jim

Much as I enjoy the holidays, I’m always relieved when they’re over and we can stumble into the new year with renewed optimism. I always look forward to celebrating Christmas with family, and ringing in the new year with friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle Ruminations | 2 Comments

Whose boots on the ground?

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Jim

After a weekend of round-the-clock news coverage of the terrorist attacks in Paris, I am appalled by the depravity of the terrorists and dismayed by the reaction of politicians and pundits. We’re seeing some stark contrasts. At the same time … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 1 Comment

Pumpkins in the air

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Jim

Pumpkin chunking! Elaborate, home-made machines hurl ripe pumpkins high into the air to smash down hundreds of yards away. What’s not to like? I stumbled across the World Championship Punkin Chunkin on cable TV a few years ago and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle Ruminations, Life in New Mexico | 2 Comments

Two cheers for Columbus

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Jim

Today is Columbus Day in the United States. But in Albuquerque it’s been re-named Indigenous Peoples Day to commemorate the struggles of Native Americans against genocidal invaders like good old Chris. What makes this a little odd is that about … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Life in New Mexico | Comments Off on Two cheers for Columbus

Feeding the hummingbirds

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Jim

It’s hummingbird season at my house. The Rio Grande, a few hundred yards from my house, is a bird superhighway with seasonal flyovers of geese and sandhill cranes. Quail and roadrunners trot across my yard every day. But the hummingbirds … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle Ruminations, Life in New Mexico | Comments Off on Feeding the hummingbirds

The rubber raft tactic

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Jim

Another story from my Navy days that is still mostly true. “We got a message from Saigon to use ship’s boats for boarding junks that have fish nets out,” the captain said. “We don’t have boats,” the executive officer pointed … Continue reading →

Posted in Sea Stories | 1 Comment

No tiny house for me

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Jim

I’m fascinated by the tiny-house trend. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’re probably aware of the growing interest in downsizing one’s home to the size of a food truck. Lilliputian residences are showing up in magazine articles and … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle Ruminations | 2 Comments

Court did not go far enough

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Jim

As a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage, I was glad to see the Supreme Court rule in favor of nationwide marriage equality. But the decision missed an opportunity to resolve the issue once and for all. The court’s decision won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 1 Comment

Bring back the draft?

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Jim

The idea of reinstating the military draft keeps popping up. Sometimes it’s anti-war reverse psychology: Politicians won’t start wars if their kids have to fight them. Others think it’s unfair that fewer than one percent of us actually fight America’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sea Stories | Comments Off on Bring back the draft?

Bruce Jenner for president and other politically incorrect solutions

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Jim

Bruce Jenner for president A lot of us voted for Barack Obama because he’s African-American and are ready to vote for Hillary Clinton because she’s a woman. If we are committed to identity as a major factor in electing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle Ruminations | 1 Comment