We have just returned from Santa Barbara where we’ve been working on an estate there for a woman who is a Western collector. Here are pictures of the back road from Ojai to Santa Barbara, which we traveled about 8 am today. It was a beautiful way to start the day. Here are some photos….
Year: 2014
I Need Your Help Figuring Out My Writing Skills
Hi folks, I am in the process of figuring out how to make my writing more effective. If you are so inclined, please help me out by answering any or all of the following questions. You can either respond in the comment box or else send me a private email at lenleatherwood@gmail.com. Your answers can…
Baking as a Coping Mechanism
The world has been filled with troubles over the past several days and I have been posting recipes about honey-sweetened goodies I’ve been baking. Lest you think I am a complete out-to-lunch idiot who never reads the news or watches a television newscast, let me just say that baking is my stress-reliever. When I hear…
Delicious Honey-Sweetened Lemon Raisin Scones
I made these a few days ago and they are really good. Not light and fluffy like the scones we’re all used to, but rather heavy and dense. Apparently, this is more like an English scone. Still, do not be deterred. These have a lovely layer of flavors and are very tasty with hot tea…
Richard Linklater Film: Boyhood – GO SEE IT
I just returned from seeing Richard Linklater’s film Boyhood and I have to say this is a must-see. The film spans 12 years (literally) and you watch the main character, Mason, played by Ellar Coltrane, grow and change from age 6 to age 18. The other characters: Patricia Arquette as Mason’s mother, Ethan Hawke as…
KCRW’s Free Gregg Allman Concert
Today we saw Sturgill Simpson and his band and then Gregg Allman and his band. This was all free from the public radio station, KCRW. It was an incredibly well-organized free concert with lots of parking, food trunks and clean portable toilets. The music was excellent and the acoustics were great. Gregg Allman’s voice was as…
5-Star Honey-Sweetened Oatmeal Banana Muffins
1/2 cup coconut oil 2 eggs 1 cup mashed bananas (3 or 4 medium-sized bananas) 1/2 warmed honey 1/4 cup yogurt 1 teaspoon soda 1 cup unbleached whole wheat flour 1/2 cup ground flaxseed meal 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup chopped peanuts Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease 18 muffin…
Today with Luna
This is a short blog tonight. Granddaughter Luna was here for most of the day and I’m beat. Of course, I had a wonderful time having her here. There is nothing like her sweet face to make me feel completely happy. Here are some pictures to chronicle our day together: Luna with Grandpa Heading…
A Practice in Imitation
I am experimenting with a new way to get myself unstuck in reference to a novel I’ve been working on. I have imitated the beginning of a favorite novel of mine: Snow Falling on Cedars, but have substituted one of my main characters and have changed the lines to reflect my character, not Guterson’s. Also,…
Tonight at the Foundation Room at House of Blues on Sunset Blvd.
Our friend, Monte Malone, invited Ray and me to come hear some of the new talent that he’s working with at A & R Worldwide. They were playing at the Foundation Room at the House of Blues. Here were the performers: This is a great venue to hear these acts. Here is a…
20 Minutes a Day 