the ramblings of a perambulent and often distracted sojourner
My Saturday morning walk to buy a questionable newspaper (solely for the TV guide) takes me past four houses, two apartment buildings, a vacant lot, a tavern, a liquor store, a coffee shop, a florist, and a supermarket, before reaching the Ampol servo where I make my purchase, then return.
At 7 a.m the only person I see today is the cheerful vendor. It is a 5-minute, 365 meter journey, repeated on the way back.
The opportunity for contemplation was exhilarating!
My car’s got the giggles
It’s happy as a lark –
Because it’s got new tires?
Or watched a funny park?
It’s four new tires that make it happy
And an alignment since who knows when –
But what really gives it mirth
Is they are filled with nitrogen! *
“They’ll make the tires last longer,
and to refill is longer apart –
Just bring it in; we’ll top ’em up
For free!” Now ain’t that smart!
* Yes, I know it’s nitrous oxide that is known as laughing gas
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
Yesterday Meta announced that it is quitting fact-checking “in the name of free speech.” Many media outlets and commentators are clutching their pearls at the anticipated flood of misinformation about to be released. How popular platforms’ tepid and halfhearted approach to this enterprise has impressed them so far is beyond me.
The best source of fact-checking is in our own laps.
A Facebook friend outlines a very simple “Do It Yourself” verifying process that has been around long before the internet. It is ultimately more satisfying. In addition, the internet, properly used, provides vast banks of information that make DIY a cinch.
When the next meme, breathless story, or “science” report pops up on your screen, run it through the following process.
Who told me?
How sound is their background and experience generally?
How sound is the author or group? Research further if not known.
What biases condition the source of information?
What is the information trying to achieve?
What is my bias – why does this info attract or repel me?
Information, no matter its source, filtered through this exercise, will find its proper place on the scale of reliability.
POTUS has a dream
in acquiring Canada
and then Greenland too
I think my new sleep app’s mistaken
Perhaps its early days yet
But each morning when I awaken
It’s so confident on how I am set.
It tells me I sleep like a penguin
Lightly and on the alert
Should eggs I protect be taken
By predators out to subvert.
Yet my history begs to differ
I’m known for sleeping quite deep
To wake me, there’s little tougher
Than loud bells, an alarm, a car’s beep.
I slept through a storm one winter
Our shed flew into the street
Roof tiles gone and pergola a-splinter
Yet my dreaming continued so sweet.
So this penguin ain’t much of a lifeguard
My app must review its plan
A few more sleeps are bound for its scorecard
Before I become the app’s fan!
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
Exploding light
Never yet seen
But always there
when eyesight is keen
Wandering strangers
Tracking a star
End up at a manger
after coming so far.
Arising from water
Beard dripping wet
He walks from the river
his pathway is set
The wedding at Cana
in full celebratory swing
has run out of wine
an unthinkable thing.
A guest at the party
notes all those aghast
Words over water
Best wine is served last
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
He expanded his repertoire
As Parump-a-Pum-Pum grew
His unique gift to expand
Twelve drummers give due.
Now twelve days is up
The New Year begun
Epiphany’s here
As bright as the sun!
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
Eleven Pipers Piping?
Apostles remaining, they say,
After one sold his soul
And gave his whole life away.
The spot soon filled by Matthias
No gap would last very long
The Book tells of their great ventures
And the pipers rejoice in their song!
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
Ten lords a-leaping
In such joyful festive mood.
To suggest over-imbibement
Would seem abundantly rude!
Rather a disguise for ten commandments
‘Oft displayed in halls dim and dour.
Together they express the Shalom,
Of joy that is meant to endure.
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
Nine ladies dancing – a recurring theme
When Spirit is broached, or so it would seem
‘Tis Spirit’s nine fruits1, emerging in time
A sign of her work in a soul’s growth sublime.
Love, joy and peace a-twirling
While Patience, kindness, and goodness
Sync their pirouette
And faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Complete the set with a new pas-de-trois.
(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025
