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NEWS OF “LA OUTHOUSE”
You may recall that the large house across the street from this residence installed an outhouse some 16 or 17 months ago on their front lawn. During that period of time, the outhouse became beloved by delivery men, the postman, and my friends and relatives. The sad fact of the matter is that on November…
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WHO PUT THE SUGAR INTO THE CORNBREAD?
Lillie Carr was my mother, who observed the rules of rural speech and of rural cooking. She was a good woman who has now been deceased for 50 years. She was always one of my defenders, and while I was in the Army she kept a blue star in the window of her living room. …
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WARM WEATHER
During my enlistment in the United States Army, it was my fortune to wind up spending an inordinate time with the forces of the British Empire. I did not care much for the big shots such as Jumbo Wilson, he being of the rank of general or admiral. On the other hand, I tended to…
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WARREN BUFFETT’S SECRETARY
Those of you who follow the news will take some comfort in reports out of Omaha, Nebraska. As you are aware, one of the most wealthy men in the United States is Warren Buffett, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Berkshire-Hathaway Organization in Omaha. So that there is no mistake in…
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A RIBALD HYMN
As most of you probably know by this time, my enlistment with the American Army resulted in my spending a great deal of time with the British. Specifically, it was to fly combat support for the valiant efforts of the British Eighth Army. From time to time, the troopers from the British Eighth Army sang…
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THE ABOMINABLE MONTHS OF THE YEAR
For all of my long life, I have detested months that have 31 days in their duration. At the moment, we are enduring the grim days of January in the new year. When two months of 31 days follow each other, that is the cruelest time of year for every creature known to me. July…
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UPON BEING TIRED AND FEARED
This essay is being written for those who trace their birth to nearly pre-historic times. Specifically, it is being written for those of us who have passed the age barrier of 80 so long ago that it must be viewed in the rear view mirror of our lives. Facts are facts and no magic hoopla…
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MOLASSES MOBILITY
Upon reflection, it may be that this essay should be properly entitled “Molasses Immobility.” But we will get to that question a bit later. It may well be that readers of Ezra’s Essays are unfamiliar with the term molasses. I always try to be helpful in these circumstances and here is what a reference source…
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FORBIDDEN WORDS
As an essayist, I welcome all words that will fit appropriately in my essays. There are several million people who write better essays than I do, including Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens is in love with the words he writes and the longer and more obscure terms suit him greatly. My essays are less esoteric and deal…
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POLK SALAD (SALET)
This essay has to do with a vegetable or a weed that appears in the springtime and is uncultivated. It grows along hedge rows and along the highways and when it reaches maturity, it is quite poisonous. Also this essay is an exercise in nostalgia. It has to do with my mother, who departed this…