… Read the restWhile our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence. But should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation towards one another, and towards foreign nations, which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practising iniquity and extravagance, and displays in the most captivating manner the charming pictures of candor, frankness, and sincerity, while
Category Archives: Peter’s Writings
Things Peter writes for his own benefit, not necessarily intended for or made available to the general public.
Quote of the Day
While scanning a news site I ran across an article talking about a collection of letters Albert Einstein had written. One of the topics reportedly addressed in the letters frequently was Einstein’s thoughts on God. One section quoted struck me:
I prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being.-Albert Einstein
While I don’t agree with Einsteins thoughts on the childishness of believing in a personal God (contained in a section of the quote I omitted here), I think his reasoning is something the rest of the world … Read the rest
Failure – The Forcing Function
… Read the rest‘Some conjurers say that number three is the magic number, and some say number seven. It’s neither, my friend, neither. It’s number one… Only to show you my meaning clearly,’ said the Jew, raising his eyebrows. ‘To [secure your own prosperity], you depend upon me. To keep my little business all snug, I depend upon you. The first is your number one, the second my number one. The more you value your number one, the more careful you must be of mine; so we come at last to what I told you at first—that a regard for number one holds
Worthless Sleep
Most people are familiar with restless sleep where the night is constantly interrupted by one thing, another, or nothing in particular. Short periods of unconsciousness are only randomly interspersed throughout the night and insufficient to guarantee a reasonably wakeful and rested morning. Over the years I’ve dealt with the effects and side-effects of this kind of sleep deprivation. It would creep up on me frequently during periods of high stress such as points in my graduate studies when my mind would refuse to wind-down for the night and keep me up until I got out of bed and worked through … Read the rest
Poetry is for sissies and the lost DVD
It’s been a while since I wrote anything about the family… It seems I’ve been on a poetry bender for the last several months, and have left the more weighty matters to moulder. I can’t for the life of me understand why it is that I feel inclined to make up silly rhymes to go with stupid pictures, but I guess I find it somewhat therapeutic to pull myself away from the world of analytical and sterile language that dominates my days at work. Unfortunately, that probably means that the three or so family members who have ever read this … Read the rest
Rain
A graying sky comes pressing on It's twilight at noon day Air's heavy since the early dawn Seems a storm is on it's way. A distant rumble passes by The horses snort and stomp A sudden flash lights up the sky My outside work must stop. In the barn a drum beat starts Quick tapping on tin roof A yearling kid now jumps and darts Beats dirt under her hoof. The tapping turns into a roar Explosions shake the walls Howling winds pound on the door The roof makes water falls. A thirsty earth gapes wide the mouth To drink… Read the rest
Pray for Rain
'Mid searing heat we pray for rain And hope for cloudy skies To wet the earth and cool the air Make shade for squinting eyes Withered plants cry out for damp And wilt in summer's heat On cracking earth with fissures wide Growth turned in fast retreat Dust and sun and baking winds Blow grit in eye and ear Peeling skin and cracking hands Pray that rain is near
The Elephant
Acknowledged but unspoken, Sitting heavy in this space, A weight on every shoulder, Tensile strain in every face. It's name must not be sounded, Nor its presence e'en confirmed, It's substance flat discounted, It's existence not affirmed. If aired, the thoughts and feelings, Formed about the ugly beast, Would stir it from a slumber, Then it on my peace would feast. So better to ignore it now, accept the stagnant stink, Give up what was my breathing room, Turn off my will to think. Confine myself to smaller space, Be glad I have some left, Then hope it won't demand… Read the rest
Dawdling
How is it that they cannot walk, When slower speed is wanted, Can play all day and jump and climb, On into night undaunted. Bounding to and fro with mirth, While chasing wind and rain, Grubbing, digging, wrestling too, Impervious to pain. But task them with some simple thing, Then comes a sudden crash, Aching backs and swollen tongues, With joint-pain and a rash. Bathroom breaks that take an hour, Drinks that last all day, Just anything to slow the pace, Because it isn't play.
Grinding
There is a kind of tired, That resting can't assuage, Not caused by sweat and labor, Nor a product of great age. Oft it creeps in slowly, Caused by labors of the mind, When truths compete as valid, But no resolution find. They grind against each other, Then life adds in some grit, Of reason, hope and longing, That block and warp the fit; Which erstwhile might be forming, Were the process left alone, To smooth the roughened edges, Like a knife against the hone. And form a polished surface, Where the two can both reside, Supporting one another, Standing… Read the rest