Author Archives: C.G.Ayling

About C.G.Ayling

Musing misuser of words, lover of lyrical literature, author, occasional contrary thoughts. An honorable man’s name, in memoriam.

on Guns

In my youth I hunted regularly – not for sport, but for meat which we either ate or sold. For me any desire to kill another living creature ended after the war. But that is just me and other people … Continue reading

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on Demons and Angels

A tenet of my personal philosophy is balance in all things.  Throughout our lives we struggle to vanquish our demons, yet I’ve recently concluded we should do no such thing – for it is our demons that drive us and … Continue reading

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a Dream, a Reality

Dreams often feel like a frightening reality, but the most frightening reality feels like a dream. My eyes open. Don’t know where I am. It is cool. The lights are dim. I’m on a narrow bed with the back raised … Continue reading

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on GrandParenting

Though I believe it should not be, grandparenting is very different to parenting.  As virtually any grandparent will tell you, being a grandparent is far better than being a parent.  Which is not to say being a parent isn’t a … Continue reading

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Memories, of clean water

Recently, I believe as a result of my surgery, I lost my appetite.  My hunger for food is pretty much non-existent, while my appetite for liquids knows no bounds.  Literally. The other day, while walking Bacon after a rainstorm, I … Continue reading

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on Torture

I’m sure every civilized, thinking person will agree that torture is the domain of barbarians. Yes, torture absolutely should not be allowed.  Unfortunately it is, and the number of people here in the USA who condone it is nothing short … Continue reading

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What’s the deal of?

Included in this post is an unscripted recording I made of my Granddaughters, Eden and Ariadne, when they were staying with us recently.  The recording was caught with my phone, so please excuse the variable quality and the low volume. … Continue reading

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a Piece

What do you do they asked me “Collect pieces” What do you mean they say “Moments, things, memories, secret places” Why they ask “Because I had swallowed myself whole… I let myself rot in darkness, I let the flowers wither … Continue reading

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on Bottled Water

This post is by my daughter, Julia, who graduated High School yesterday. Julia belongs to the generation who will next inherit this planet, so sorely damaged by ours. Please read her words and reconsider how cavalier you are about buying … Continue reading

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Out of the Mouths of Babes

Our three year old granddaughter, Ariadne, is a gem and a consistent user of amazingly appropriate expressions.  In this she shows a remarkable resemblance to her mother, my oldest daughter, Tamryn. The latest tale of Ariadne is of her desperately … Continue reading

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The little joys in Life

There is little that gives me more joy than watching the actions of baby animals. It is both mentally fascinating and emotionally rewarding – a combination that is pretty hard to beat. Back in the early 1960’s we lived in … Continue reading

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on What Matters Most

The thing that matters most in life is love… However here in the first world we are taught that the things that matter most in life are things.  That is so untrue and so shallow, it distresses me to even … Continue reading

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Lest We Forget, ICU.

This post covers the surgery to debulk the tumor infringing on my Pituitary gland and the first week thereafter, which I spent in the Intensive Care Unit at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  If you haven’t read the … Continue reading

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Lest We Forget

Lest We Forget – Part One In late January 2016 I was diagnosed with a very large pituitary tumor.  For those who don’t know what this is, it is a tumor inside the cranial cavity.  I hope you never need … Continue reading

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on Busyness

True wisdom is ageless understanding. My daughter Julia, @Chibichiree, wrote this essay for school.  She is seventeen. If I Had a Nickel for Every Time I was Busy… Tim Kreider’s, The “Busy” Trap, dwells upon his opinions on busyness.  He … Continue reading

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