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.

To A Louse – On Seeing One on a Lady’s Bonnet, at Church

Robert Burns Ha! whaur ye gaun, ye crowlin ferlie? Your impudence protects you sairly; I canna say but ye strunt rarely, Owre gauze and lace; Tho’, faith! I fear ye dine but sparely On sic a place. Ye ugly, creepin, … Continue reading

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My Cardinal (the bird) Moment

Since childhood I have marveled that male birds are so colorful and bright but the females are typically plain, even dull.  Take cardinals, for example.  While growing up (and even now), glimpses of that bright red bird thrilled me.  I … Continue reading

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Spud’s Hats

(My wife’s father died in October, 2008.  The family, his six children, their spouses and families, all gathered together for the funeral that turned into a three-day celebratory family reunion.  I wrote the piece below to accompany the picture.) None … Continue reading

Posted in Life, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Gift to Unwrap Today

…a memory of castor oil.  A lot of talk about castor oil, the pros and cons.   Did she even practice taking it in advance?  Getting used to the taste, the feel, the horrible stuff? …an early morning family parade through … Continue reading

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Of A’ The Airts

Robert Burns Of a’ the airts the wind can blaw, I dearly like the west, For there the bonie lassie lives, The lassie I lo’e best: There’s wild-woods grow, and rivers row, And mony a hill between: But day and … Continue reading

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How to Use The Life Literary

In this blog I discuss and model ways to shake a dash of literary on your life.  (Or serve yourself a thick slab, if you’d like).  I call it living literarily.  There are a couple of ways to use and enjoy The Life Literary. 1.  You … Continue reading

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Writing: Floodgates of the Soul

Input and Output Writing is a cornerstone of literary living. I love reading a story, memorizing a poem, or watching a good movie.  These expand and fill me, my heart, my mind, my soul, and provide valuable raw material for growing, maturing, … Continue reading

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Loveliest of Trees

A.E. Houseman Loveliest of trees the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bow, And stands along the woodland ride Wearing white for Eastertide. Now of my threescore years and ten Twenty I’ll not see again And take from … Continue reading

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Response to a NYT Editorial about Robert Burns (150 word version)

(I wrote the first version before finding out that the NYT has a 150 word limit on letters to the editor.  Here’s the edited version, less than half the length than the first.) NYT Robert Burns Editorial To the Editor: … Continue reading

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Response to a NYT Editorial about Robert Burns (first version)

NYT Robert Burns Editorial I will agree it’s fun to give haggis a little kick in the hurdies* from time to time.  A sausage made from chopped and cooked sheep’s lung, kidney and heart (with onions, salt, pepper, suet and … Continue reading

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