Lee Bukowski
Born and raised in a large family in eastern Pennsylvania, Lee Bukowski has always had an interest in reading, writing, and storytelling. She holds a BA in English and Secondary Education from Millersville University and taught seventh grade English and writing for fifteen years. In 2017, she obtained an MFA in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Currently, she teaches writing at the college level and freelances as a proofreader and editor. When she’s not teaching or writing, she loves reading and traveling, especially visiting her grown daughters in Boston and Fort Lauderdale. Lee lives with her husband in Reading, PA. A Week of Warm Weather is her debut novel.
Instagram: @LeeBukowskiAuthor
Do you collect anything? If so, what, why, and for how long?
This is kind of odd, but I collect salt and pepper shakers. I love to change out the shakers according to season, holidays, etc. I started years ago when I bought a Christmas-themed set. I love finding unique ones at specialty shops and when I travel. Now my family and friends buy them for me, too. I probably have 50 sets! One I don’t have that I’m always on the lookout for is book-shaped shakers!
Is there another profession you would like to try?
I would love to be a chef with my own cooking show! I love cooking and baking, and I’m always searching for new recipes. I like the idea of having a studio audience to talk to while I’m cooking! I drive my kids crazy pretending I’m being filmed when I cook… “Now, while that broth is simmering, let’s come over here and chop these colorful vegetables!” They think I’m nuts I also have an auto-immune disease called Celiac disease (which is no fun!), so I have to eat gluten free because there is no cure. I’m constantly adapting recipes to be gluten free, so I think I could help my viewers who suffer from or know someone who suffers from Celiac disease create safe and delicious meals!
Favorite non-reading activity?
My favorite non-reading activity is trying new restaurants. My husband and I almost always sit at the bar instead of getting a table because we enjoy meeting and talking to both the bar staff and other patrons. We’ve discovered some excellent food and cocktails, and we’ve also met some fascinating people. It’s actually given me an idea for a memoir—I’d call it Table for None.
What piece of clothing tells the most interesting story about your life?
I am a bit of a shoe freak, and I have a pair I bought in Aruba. They’re a fabulous strappy platform style with a funky beaded flower design on top. At our hotel in Aruba, a boat would come into the open lobby every hour and take people to a nearby private beach. While waiting on the boat, I spotted the shoes in a boutique window and had to have them. Even though the boat was starting to depart, I hopped off, ran into the shop, told the employee to put aside the shoes in a size 8, and ran back and hopped on the boat just in time. I thought my husband was going to have a heart attack. When people compliment the shoes, I tell them I jumped off a boat to get them!
What brings you great joy?
I guess this is a cliché response, but my family brings me the most joy. I have a large family, and I’m never happier than when we are all together. We’ve all been through many ups and downs in life, and at the end of it all is family. We celebrate each other’s accomplishments and happiness, and we console and lift up each other through difficult times. I think especially as I get older, I realize that there is nothing more important than family.
