Obama
Posted by markorton on November 5, 2008 in politics
I will not add to the comments that have flooded around the world last night and this morning. However this significant moment had to be greeted with more than silence.
Bush - the worst modern President
Posted by markorton on November 1, 2008 in politics
Since my entry this morning I have been thinking more about the Presidency and Bush. My knowledge of 19th century Presidents is a but spotty. Certainly the names Buchanan, Pierce, Johnson and Grant pop to mind as less than top of the heap.
But, for the modern era, post WW2, Bush is clearly the worst, most [...]
Pondering at the Food Coop
Posted by markorton on November 1, 2008 in politics
So, here I am having coffee and my favorite lunch, a toasted bagel with peanut butter thinking about the approaching election. Finally this will conclude what has been an overly long campaign, but one with enormous pleasures. Assuming that Obama is not just a curiosity to all those throngs at his campaign events, we will [...]
Healthcare Crisis
Posted by markorton on September 8, 2008 in health, politics
Originally written in 2005
The healthcare crisis in the US is growing in severity and yet is not the subject of any real public debate. More than 44 million Americans are without health insurance and almost 65 million will experience a lack of coverage during the year. Emergency rooms are the primary care provider of necessity. [...]
News from the beach
Posted by markorton on August 5, 2008 in family
This is my first posting via the WordPress widget on my iPod Touch.
We are here at Nantasket Beach for our annual “week at the beach”. Some of the regulars are here - Ed, Meredith, Maggie & Parker. Jonathan and Nan are here from Hong Kong with new baby Jessie. Esther will appear for the [...]
Rocky Springs Farewell - a poem by Linda Larson
Posted by markorton on May 19, 2008 in Poetry
Rocky Springs Farewell
Dedicated to Willie Joe Namath
We didn’t really have a plan.
We ended up here.
A cold brook gives the place its name,
Runs clear along a stony, sandy bed,
So cold it makes the bones ache.
He held my hand
So I wouldn’t slip and break a hip.
When he was little he loved bananas
Couldn’t get the word out
I [...]
Armies and Orchids - a new poem by Linda Larson
Posted by markorton on May 19, 2008 in Poetry
Armies and Orchids
The little white posts
Stuck in the soil
Markers naming the orchids
At the flower show
Mimic acres of white crosses
Sturdy and upright
Over bones as fragile as
Ruby’s Dragonfly.
Orchids, deceptive,
Feed only on air.
A rich man’s hobby
Nonetheless, crosses
Bedecked, celebrating holidays
With bright, cheerful flags waving
Hello from those consumed
In battle, at War Meister’s
Command, Nightfire,
Simple Pleasures, Shoot or be shot.
Origami cranes,
Piled high [...]
North Korea - a visit to the “Axis of Evil”
Posted by markorton on June 21, 2007 in book reviews, politics
Recently, in the context of some discussion of the Bush regime, my step-son Jonathan pointed me towards several books on Korea. He said that Bruce Cumings is simply the best author writing in English on Korea. So, a quick trip to the local library and I had this compact little book in my hands.
The book [...]
Sunday, May 6 - A Passion Revealed - Louis Vermond
Posted by markorton on May 6, 2007 in Cambridge, Year-In-Pictures 2007, people
Nancy and Louis visited us over this weekend. Besides the catch-up conversations and visits to various local spots, including the Peabody Essex Museum, Louis showed us his working replica short wave transmitter.
April 24 - Visit to Washington - Harvey & Betsy
Posted by markorton on April 24, 2007 in "Art", Washington, DC, Year-In-Pictures 2007, people
Karen and I visited Washington to attend the celebration party for the wedding of Bob Greenstein and Elissa Parker. We stayed with Harvey and Betsy in Silver Springs. Of course, we also went ot a number of galleries. The most time was spoent at the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery. Besides all of the historic [...]
About Me
