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Writing Samples

John Enjoys a meal
candlewatch lit
Jack Buckingham

The beginning for a writer is the journal. I say this because it is the testing grounds for all your styles and ideas. If you do not keep a journal, it will be hard for you to be a good writer in almost any field.

You should write a little every day if you want to cultivate your literary skills. That's the beauty of a journal... because you don't need a revolutionary idea or original thought to write a successful entry into your journal. Other types of writing are not as forgiving; when you write poetry when you don't feel poetic or a story when you don't feel inspired, you will likely not turn out highly artistic words.


Featured Articles

Adventures with Del

In Memory of Delwin Olson
Posted on Jul 22, 2023 | Last Updated Aug 1, 2023
Olson family photo 2023A Meal in MedoraAt the Medora MusicalCorrine flies a droneDel Drives DuaneDel and DuaneDel Fuzz and DuaneDelwin Laughing as Corrine gets SakeDelwin Secures BoatDel on BoatDel teaches Hayden how to run a riding lawn mowerDriving Lessons from DelwinEating in MedoraDog jumps on DelDelwin with HadleyDelwin and Jim at GardenDelwin and Kent Goof OffDelwin and PamDelwin and PamDelwin and ShawnDelwin and Shawn on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on mountain.Delwin OlsonDelwin Driving a BoatDelwin on PhoneDelwin climbs a rockDelwin on TractorDelwin on Killdeer MountainDelwin on a HikeDelwin on Killdeer MountainsDelwin sitting on mountainsideDelwin on Killdeer Mountain.Delwin Olson on Old BaldyDelwin and GranddaughtersDelwin rescues the kidsDelwin Scans the DistanceDelwin raises armsDelwin at StoveDelwin Cooking BreakfastDelwin with GranddaughtersDelwin with Kids on QuadOlsons in Medora 2022Delwin, Duane and ShawnDuane and DelwinFuzz and DelGroup photoDel and CorrineIce Cream in MedoraJim and Delwin with metal detectorLast hike on Old BaldyMeal at BuckskinMeal at BuckskinOlson Family PhotoShawn and Delwin on MountainShawn and DelShawn and Del on BoatShawn and Delwin in a truckShawn, Ethan and Delwin on Old BaldyThumbs Upfamily hike

Photos and tribute to my friend and cousin Delwin Olson.

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delwin olson, del, killdeer, north dakota, tragic loss

Latest Articles

Jack Buckingham Retires after 31 Years in SWCS

Posted on May 30, 2009 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011
Jack BuckinghamBuck and StudentsBuck TeachingBuck's Chucks

Jack Buckingham was one of my teachers at Westland High School. This is a short feature on Buck.

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buckingham, buck, westland, high school, whs

The Barack Obama Presidency

Posted on Nov 15, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Some observations on American politics and culture in the wake of the election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States of America.

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barack obama, america, president, barrack

Infection of the Heart

Posted on Nov 9, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Poem about despair and the false questions that can lead us into the darkest areas of the human heart. A poem for Vince Kingrea, who sadly took his own life.

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despair, suicidal, depression

Promoting Interest in the Classroom

Posted on Sep 22, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

An essay about the role teachers play in making subjects interesting, valuable and relevant to students. Prompted by an Open-House visit to Westland High School.

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education, interest

The Phantom Dollar

Posted on Sep 21, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Essay on American debt, credit abuse and the lies of economicists and politicians.

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debt, money, credit, banks, investors

Ambitions and Weekends

Posted on Jun 9, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Essay on being self-aware and realizing that the human psyche has some hardwired contradictions and paradoxes.

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human, self-aware

Cultural Cataracts

Posted on Nov 12, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

A personal conversation about the challenges facing educational and cultural progress in the face of overwhelming ignorance and myopia.

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parenting, education, society, culture

A Trip Down Hoopty Lane

Posted on Jul 18, 2007 | Last Updated Dec 7, 2014

An American Hoopty adventure to fix a van that turns into a car hater's nightmare.

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car, van, automotive, repair, fix, hoopty

Greg Oden, Buckeyes and Basketball

Posted on Apr 16, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 11, 2011

Commentary on collegiate basketball, American colleges and professional sports.

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sports, college, greg oden, osu, buckeyes

Return to Norton Middle School

Posted on Apr 4, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 11, 2011

Short essay recounting a day I spent at Norton Middle School with Gary Sigrist.

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school

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