Author Archives: literarylee

About literarylee

I sling words for a living. Always have, always will. Some have been interesting and fun; most not. These days, I write the fun words early in the morning before the adults are up and make me eat my Cream of Wheat.

About Our Servant’s Death

Posted on March 29, 2011 by literarylee

(In a recent post, I described the aftermath of the death of our first servant in Bombay.  I mentioned a letter my wife sent to family with more details about what happened the actual day we discovered the body.  Here is … Continue reading →

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Steaming Spring Ferment

Posted on March 29, 2011 by literarylee

A rite of spring in this gardened, landscaped, greenspaced city on a hill is the annual Application of the Mulch.  This Festival begins mid to late March and continues through much of April.  Walking to work from the bus stop … Continue reading →

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Antipode

Posted on March 28, 2011 by literarylee

I came across this word in a NYT article about the Japanese public’s reaction to the crisis in their country.  I wish it was pronounced: Ahn TIH poe dee, but unfortunately, it’s AHN tih pohd (with a long o).  Still, … Continue reading →

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I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud

Posted on March 28, 2011 by literarylee

William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the … Continue reading →

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Sky Lines 2

Posted on March 27, 2011 by literarylee

Me:  sitting outside with a cigar and a bourbon and soda. My wife: in a plane somewhere far away, flying, hurtling to help a dear niece. Happy niece.  Sad me.  My mate is in the sky, therefore, my eyes, too, … Continue reading →

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Garden Notes 3/26

Posted on March 27, 2011 by literarylee

Snow expected tonight.  Still agog.  Covered lettuce, spinach, radishes, bok choi in Jones with plastic row covers.  Conversely and humorously planted seven lettuce seedlings in Smith hours before predicted snow but didn’t cover those at all.  Been sitting out all … Continue reading →

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A Jerusalem Moment

Posted on March 26, 2011 by literarylee

July 2005 Hello from Jerusalem, I had just finished an interesting lunch with the director of an organization that sends groups of Israeli and Palestinian youth to a two week peace-making summer camp in the U.S.  Upon their return from … Continue reading →

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My Neighbors

Posted on March 26, 2011 by literarylee

I like the blossoms and spring flowers that live next door, at least for a few weeks each year.  Quite a few live near the building where I do my day job Monday through Friday.  The neighborhood is very integrated: … Continue reading →

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Pansies: A True Misnomer

Posted on March 24, 2011 by literarylee

How did the word pansy ever come to mean weak and ineffective?  There must be a fragile plant whose name better deserves this honor like, “Hey pal, don’t be such an orchid!”  (I’m guessing orchid growers will tell me how … Continue reading →

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Photo Captions

Posted on March 24, 2011 by literarylee

In a recent New York Times article called “Teaching to the Text Message” (the link is on the Articles I’m Reading page), the author discusses the importance of succinct writing.  He comments, “the photo caption has never been more important.” … Continue reading →

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