About James Chandler

Since childhood in Minnesota, I've always been a keen observer of life. I like to capture natural beauty of granite mountains or a coastal shoreline with a camera. For the beauty of interpersonal exchanges, I use crafted words to capture the sweetness, nuance, irony, and humor of our existence. Yet I have procrastinated in creating stories behind the observations I see. First it was the need of a typewriter, or a computer, or a means of publishing, or just the race of providing for family through a corporate job. Now it is time to take what I capture, give it form and purpose, and publish it here for many to share and hopefully enjoy.

A Night with Garrison

I sat down with Garrison Keilor last night, albeit at some distance. From the back row of the upper balcony in a California theatre, I listened to him spin tales of my homeland. We both knew Minnesota: “Land of 10,000 Lakes and a Few Weirdos,” as one of my t-shirts … … more …

Hello

She was a beautiful young woman: long, slender legs, trim hips, mid-length blonde hair with streaks of darker color crafted at a beauty shop.  The blue fleece running suit reminded him of a soft velour, inviting to the touch.  She had the top unzipped enough to reveal a bit of … … more …

I’ll take the wackos

On the way to work, I see such diversity.  Cars of every make and color.  People of different race, appearance and age.  Stopping at a coffee house, I look around me as I wait for my latte – one of about seventy different choices and possible combinations.  Most of the … … more …

Moon Crashing

“It’s not the same around NASA anymore: budget cuts, the end of the shuttle. What are we going to do for fun?” “Well, we still have all that Hubble data we can analyze. No one’s looked at that pass we did on the zD1 galaxy yet. That light is almost … … more …

The Reversible Zen of Water

“How’s the water?” I asked the two kayakers floating nearby. We had gathered near the stream’s entry into the lake as it took a final dive over high rocks. “Ah, well, just fine. Why don’t you try?” said a young woman in a solo kayak. Tempting as the invitation to … … more …

Romney Plan to “Buy Back America”

Privatization of Gov’t to Bring Efficiencies, Profitable Return        Battery Park, JC Wire At a press conference held today at Manhattan’s southern tip, an excited Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan announced their plan to Buy Back America. “Face it: America is in big financial trouble,” said the former Governor. … … more …

Romney Says No Cuts to Entitlements

Wealthy, Corporations Will Continue to Receive Payments               Dallas, JC Wire In a campaign stop in Dallas, Mitt Romney made it clear he will not be cutting entitlements if elected president.  “People keep saying I would cut entitlement payments. I don’t know where they’re getting this.  The opposite is true.  If … … more …

A Flight of Bubbles

Unchecked Joy Today we experienced a moment of unchecked joy. Having found considerable interest in my Pustefix Rocket bubble blower during the AM recess at elementary school, I brought my Pustefix bear outside for the afternoon affair. First I let my little cadre blow some. This soon attracted other children. … … more …

Embedded in the 99th

San Francisco, 2010 Official runners were everywhere, displaying their tags, numbers, even foot tapes to track their start and finish lines down to the hundredth of a second. I was an unofficial, un-costumed, numberless reporter drifting amidst their ranks. To capture the movements, the characters and the spirit of the … … more …

À la Carte

“Waiter, I’ll have some of that endearing affection,” I said, pointing toward a young couple at a nearby table. Their hands were touching, moving as they talked. They broke into blushing smiles, lost in their own world. “Yes sir. Right away, sir,” he replied in compliant fashion. Within a minute, the maitre d’ escorted … … more …