Articles by Adele Elliott
Adele Elliott: ‘Friendemys’
The English language is alive and evolving. The word “friend” has been considered a noun for a very long time. These days it is also a verb, as in “to friend” someone, such as on Facebook.
Adele Elliott: Wild children
Sometimes it seems that we are surrounded by people who were raised by animals. The “bull headed,” the “greedy pigs,” the “sly foxes” are all around us. “Personification” and “anthropomorphism” — we employ these concepts every day. They are shortcut explanations — easy to understand, but usually not literal.
Adele Elliott: Fired up
When I was a child we were all terrified of the Russians, specifically, of the bombs from that country, which we believed were aimed directly at my classroom in St. James Major grammar school. We were taught to crouch under our small, wooden desks and bury our heads ostrich-like under our arms.
Adele Elliott: Survivor skills
I’m beginning to feel a bit like some sort of Superman. We all should. In spite of dire omens and doomsday prophecies, anyone reading this column has continued to wake up every morning to face another day.
Adele Elliott: Welcome 2013
I suppose we are all anticipating the launch of a new year — and not a moment too soon. This past year was horrible. Surely this one will be better. It just has to be.
Adele Elliott: Peace on Earth
I wanted to write a silly column — something slightly funny, something light. This is not an easy thing to do since our entire country is in mourning. However, there have been a few bright spots this week, perhaps leaning toward the inane, but maybe just what was needed.
Adele Elliott: Brave renewed world
Are you ready for the end of the world? There has been much hype lately about the Mayan calendar, which stops on Dec. 21, 2012.
Adele Elliott: Deck the halls
Ah! The holidays are finally here. All that shopping, wrapping, baking and cleaning are done. Now we can just sit back and enjoy our beautiful tree, sip a cup of nog, and bask in the glow of perfectly spaced lights, reflecting tiny star-shapes in the glittering ornaments.
Adele Elliott: Booking it
A few days ago, my friends Mary Beth Plant and Holly Jeter stopped by for a visit. They had not been in our house for a very long time. “Mary Beth,” asked Holly, “what don’t you see in here?”
Adele Elliott: Thanks, anyway
This week we are making lists of all the things for which we are thankful. Most of us will include friends, family and possibly a few material items, as well.
Adele Elliott: Endings and beginnings — circular politics
The presidential election of 2012 is over. Hallelujah! I am sure most of us are more than ready to close the door on the ugliness, mud slinging and tedious ads.
Annunciations
Politicians certainly must be on a higher plane than most of us will ever be. How else can you explain their direct line to God, and God’s views on so many subjects?
Ghost stories for the new millennium
I looove Halloween. The cooler temps, mysterious shadows and, best of all, the chance to wear a costume. Anyone who has seen me this week knows that I started costuming on Friday.
Adele Elliott: The zombie apocalypse
We have read much news lately about the “Zombie Apocalypse” that is about to invade our country on a rampage of brain-eating terror. I haven’t seen any zombies stumbling down Columbus’ Fifth Street or attending football games in Starkvegas. But the word is that they are on their way.
Adele Elliott: Speaking freely
This week, I received two photographs of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens being dragged through the streets of Benghazi, just before he died. He was bruised and bloody, his clothing filthy and torn. They made me horribly sad.
Candid cameras
Once, there was a time when most people had a bit of anonymity. Personal lives were just that — personal. It did not matter if you were rich and famous or an ordinary sort. Romantic affairs were kept secret, asides “off the record” were never revealed, and our private history remained in the closet, where it belonged.
Adele Elliott: Boob-tube politics
Are you tired of all the politicians and their inane rhetoric yet? Well, I hope not, because there is much more to come. Still, it is difficult not to be disgusted.
Adele Elliott: September songs
September is “Classical Music Month.” Almost everyone is familiar with the quote “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast” (William Congreve; “The Mourning Bride”; 1697). But, even for those who are not so “savage,” music of any sort can be magic and medicinal.
Slimantics: Robotaxis beware: NYC eats hesitation for breakfast
June 24, 2025
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