Concepts for Articles
This page is for context and conversation – not publication
Done That!
Retirement and the inevitability of getting tired. When tasks that once invigorated, hold little appeal anymore. The satisfaction of jobs well done and letting go of the need to do them anymore.
Surface Tension
The experience of being on water with an unseen, unknown deep below. Canoeing and swimming on northern lakes. Feeling comfortable and at home. Lakes as an extension of landscape, especially in a Canadian, wilderness, indigenous context.
All the Light we See
A metaphorical look at the value of light, as it illuminates our place in the world, from workplace to world place. Tasks go much better when you can see what you’re doing. What kind of light guides our judgements of issues. If we think we see clearly, is it possible there is light still brighter to change our minds.
Where’s that Word
A lighthearted, personal take on the difficulties and possibilities of finding the right words when writing, including a paean to the English language, the value of a thesaurus, rhyme and alliteration.
Men will be Men
A personal critique of the homogeneous, rather than heterogeneous characterization of men as essentially and culpably violent and misogynistic. Against over-arching identities and towards the intersectional specificity of every man.
Knot this Again
Anecdotal review of the troubles with knots throughout a lifetime of dealing with ropes and cords, and of the nature of life and relationships in comparison. Tangled webs
Systemic Roofing
The story of a leaking ceiling and the role that a systemic multitude of roofing faults played in causing it. Observations more generally about systems and faults in society.
Unlimited Growth
The importance and essential nature of growth throughout the natural world, and also in society. The limits and inevitability of death that are inherent in growth. Trees as example. Reference to the 1972 LTG report.
The Burden of Wealth
In this age of delineation between those who are oppressed and those who oppress, it is worth reminding ourselves that happiness and joy, sadness and despair are universal experiences and that all suffer from the same plague and require the same remedy. References to fiction and film representations of class contrasts.
Tending the Ninety-nine
The problem of wealth as it consumes many more than just the one percent. The latter may have most of the wealth (and power), but they are held in place by the lifestyles, attitudes and aspirations of middle class and even poor people. A critique of middle class lifestyle, salary inflation, relentless upward mobility and the more with more attitude.
My Humble Opinion
Exploration of the tension between humility and creativity, doubt and certainty, chaos and order. ‘Humble opinion’ may be an oxymoron, and may raise eyebrows, but there is something to it, just like waiting impatiently.
Psalm ‘77
Reflections on the effect of writing a 2275 word faith manifesto and publishing it in Calvinist Contact, forty-seven years ago at the tender age of twenty.
The van der Laan Reunion
The remarkable reunion of one, mostly North American extended family for a whole week in the Netherlands to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1953 immigration. Notes on planning, execution and experiences.