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.

The Jerusalem Artichoke’s On Us

Posted on April 5, 2012 by literarylee

We never thought about them.  All winter, those pounds of Jerusalem Artichokes slept snugly underground just where they had grown the summer before, slowly expanding into the knobby whitish tubers I finally dug up a few weeks back.  Even if … Continue reading →

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The Joy of Making My (Garden) Bed

Posted on March 25, 2012 by literarylee

I vanquished the last of the invading host of weeds in Smith, my plot in the community garden.  The mild winter and early spring had provided the ideal conditions for those pernicious plants to slowly, steadily grow and thrive, sending … Continue reading →

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Garden Wars

Posted on March 19, 2012 by literarylee

I waded deep into the weeds      and fought with might and main. In pitched combat, battle joined, I finally overcame.

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March Fourth? March Forth!

Posted on March 4, 2012 by literarylee

Click for a soundtrack to this post:   Washington Post March Once again March 4 is here.  I still get pleasure, probably a little childish, saying to people, “Today is my favorite day of the year.”  I enjoy springing my … Continue reading →

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Collecting Pub Names, part 3

Posted on March 1, 2012 by literarylee

Here is the third portion of my collection of pub names which I gathered during a one month trip through England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in 1999.  You can read the first portion and an introductory note here: Pub Names … Continue reading →

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Obituaries: Life Affirming, Bite-Sized Bios

Posted on February 27, 2012 by literarylee

I appreciate obituaries.  Reading Gustav Leonhardt’s in an Economist magazine a few years ago reminded me that an account of a person’s life, written at the time of his or her death, can be very life-affirming.  I like reading and … Continue reading →

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Birthday Greeting to an Artist Friend

Posted on February 24, 2012 by literarylee

Oh Evelyn our friend so dear Seems you’ve clicked off another year. The march of time: relentless, cruel, No pausing, stopping (as a rule). And not just that but Decades! Six! To persevere – what were your tricks? But sands of … Continue reading →

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Ae Fond Kiss

Posted on February 21, 2012 by literarylee

Robert Burns Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; Ae fareweel, alas, for ever! Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee. Who shall say that Fortune grieves him, While the star of hope … Continue reading →

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I aspire to this

Posted on February 13, 2012 by literarylee

Here’s another sweetly written essay by Verlyn Klinkenborg, published in last Sunday’s New York Times.  I want to live life doing what he does: “…write and read and do chores and whatever I can to stem the tide.” Mouse House … Continue reading →

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Address to My Blog Readers About Our Two Successful Burns Suppers

Posted on February 10, 2012 by literarylee

My dear Life Literary Reader On lofty precipice I now teeter As I attempt the noble meter Of “To a Mouse,” To tell you ’bout our two Burns Feeders I am no louse. The first, we held in highland far … Continue reading →

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