Poem: the dragon and the blue turtle

By Jack Brummet

1
The dragon stays below the surface
Because the time to act is not now
Water pours down from heaven and fire rises up

2
From the center of the earth
Earth sucks in lightning to electrify itself
Like Dr. Frankenstein's monster

3
Let the blue turtle go
Train your eyes
Like a bobcat

4
Leave the knife beneath your cloak
Let things pass

Because all things must pass

5
Awareness of danger
Brings good fortune

As you cross the cold cold sea.
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Narcissism/Narcissistic Personality Disorder

By Jack Brummet, Words Ed.

The more I learn about narcissism, the more I realize that just about every creepy person I've ever met or worked with had at least a touch, if not a full blown dose of it.

A standard reference work on psychiatric disorders—The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1980)—describes Narcissistic Personality Disorder as:

. . .a Personality Disorder... in which there are a grandiose sense of self-importance or uniqueness; preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success; exhibitionistic need for constant attention and admiration; characteristic responses to threats to self-esteem; and characteristic disturbances in interpersonal relationships, such as feelings of entitlement, interpersonal exploitativeness, relationships that alternate between the extremes of overidealization and devaluation, and lack of empathy....

...In response to criticism, defeat or disappointment, there is either a cool indifference or marked feelings of rage, inferiority, shame, humiliation, or emptiness.... Entitlement, the expectation of special favors without assuming reciprocal responsibilities, is usually present. For example, surprise and anger are felt because others will not do what is wanted; more is expected from people than is reasonable.

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Painting:Walking

By Jack Brummet

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R.I.P. Maya Angelou

By Jack Brummet, Lit Ed.

I was not a fan of her poetry, but I loved her prose.  And I loved her as a public figure, speaking up, and being an inspirational figurehead for a diverse group of people.  Safe travels to you Ms. Angelou.

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Painting detail from the 2% - "Dean Ericksen was forced. . ."

By Jack Brummet

This is a detail from a larger painting I did many years ago, probably in the late 90's.

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Pete Curran and Dave Hokit, circa 1992

click to enlarge

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A most curious towel advertisement from World War II

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Drawing: Faces #810 - Faces at The Preakness

By Jack Brummet

click to enlarge

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Cobbles Brummet

By Jack Brummet, Family Ed.

My son Colum with his cousin Paloma.

Colum with his Mom, Keelin

Colum with his Uncle Brendan and cousin Paloma

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So long: Charles Peter Curran was laid to rest today

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In memory of Charles Peter Curran

By Jack Brummet, Curran Ed.

After the accident, our family spent a lot of time over the last eight days remembering Pete, and sorting out and honoring his legacy. Over the last few years, Pete's tendency to coin phrases and nicknames has been in full bloom. My sister in laws Marcy and Betsey Curran and my niece (and goddaughter and birthday mate) Melanie came up with this partial list of Peteisms. It could probably double in size if we put our minds to it, since he was constantly evolving and tweaking and concatenating them. But here are a handful of Pete's stock phrases. I have to admit that my personal favorite is the one he would often haul out when we took him to his beloved local--Mama Stortinis. He would tell the person he was engaging (and he engaged everyone--puppies, little kids, and especially women between the ages of 20 and 80) "I just got out of jail."

Bring on the girls

Pete with one of his favorite partners, David Hokit

Perry Mason Pete, sometime between 1965 and 1970

Leisure suit Pete, 1979

Pete, holding either Keelin or Colin, mid 50's

Most of us, on one of our many annual family reunions.

Pete at 13 coins in March, 2014 (photo by Megan Curran)

Pete with my children Claire and Colum

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Aunt Velma

By Jack Brummet, Matrimony Ed.

From Historical Indulgences, tuesday-johnson.tumblr.com/

“Handwritten note on the back: “Aunt Velma, she never married.”

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