Though I had written to warn Dr. S that I would land and see his famous gardens, I gave up all thoughts of doing so when I saw how it was to be done. Continue reading
© 2017 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Category Archives: Literature
© 2017 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
© 2016 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
wander and wonder
Did I not paint ?–and wander and wonder at everything ? Continue reading
© 2016 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
shirt-sleeves
It was curious to see how little the English cared for these glories around them. Continue reading
© 2016 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Brobdingnagian
At the last station one of the Japanese ministers got into our carriage in the costume of a perfect English gentleman, chimney-pot hat included. He invited me to come and see his wife at his country-house, and at Yedo packed … Continue reading
© 2016 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Sacred Plants
The famous botanic gardens are six miles from Calcutta, but the whole drive is full of interest and wonderful vegetation. A German was director of the gardens in Dr. King’s absence, and went heart and soul into my work of … Continue reading
© 2015 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
buendia
The ancient people had a sophisticated way of predicting weather. They had flourishing boat building and jewelry industries… In the 1800s, the men were shy and since courtship customs were a bit difficult to follow, they expressed their feelings through … Continue reading
© 2015 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
As beautiful as a prince
I do not know if other villages have this tradition; but in Gon Zaung, a village in central Myanmar, they used to have this charming custom: when a boy was about to enter the monastery as a novice, another family … Continue reading
© 2014 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Rivers of China
‘Oh dear,’ she said, ‘I do wish I hadn’t married. I wish I’d been an explorer.’ And then she said dreamily, ‘The Rivers of China, for instance.’ ‘But what do you know about the rivers of China, darling,’ I said. … Continue reading
© 2014 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Wonder and mystery
I was born with the gift of rain, an ancient soothsayer in an even more ancient temple once told me. This was back in a time when I did not believe in fortune-tellers, when the world was not yet filled … Continue reading
© 2014 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Impossible worsted stockings
Tan interrupted. “But the British have held India by their guns for over a hundred years.” “You are mistaken,” said Poya. “The British hold India down by their charm.” “What charm?” said Tan, gulping with surprise. “By being handsome,” said … Continue reading
© 2013 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Modern Life
The tempo of modern city life is such that we are giving less and less time and thought to the matter of cooking and feeding. A housewife who is at the same time a brilliant journalist can hardly be blamed … Continue reading
© 2013 Kate Griffin. All rights reserved.
Turtles and swine
To reach a conclusion in criticizing a man and to sum it up in a brief phrase, calls for keen judgement and the gift of expression, though a few words only are used. Only when an epithet is apt will … Continue reading