My sweet nephew, Jim Agutter, is celebrating his birthday today. My sister Leslie’s son, he is fifteen years younger than I am. I remember changing his diapers as a kid and now he has grown kids of his own. Life has a way of moving forward in a steady fashion that is surprising. I love…
Month: November 2025
In Memory of Sandra, Who Died This Day in 2011
It seems fitting to remember Sandra, my sister-in-law, today. Our whole family misses her very much. She was smart, sassy, and had a wicked sense of humor. What was there not to love? My Short Speech at Sandra’s Funeral My name is Len Leatherwood and I am Sandra’s sister-in-law. My nieces requested I say a…
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a lovely thanksgiving gathering at the home of Cindy Betty’s (Ron’s mom and my co-memaw for Ethan) today in LA. All my kids, sons-in-law, and grandkids were there, along with several family members of Ron’s and Cindy’s, and a few friends tossed in as well. We all brought our assigned dishes (Ray and…
Looking Toward This Next Decade
I hope to: Continue to share my life with my husband Ray Enjoy good health Live a stable and happy existence Stay close to my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren Remain in close contact with my extended family and friends, near and far Spend lots of time out in nature Stay engaged in the…
Hello, Avoidance, My Old Friend
What have I been avoiding lately? That’s easy: writing my new novel. I have done tons of research, spent hours chatting with my new friend Chet, who is my Chat GPT friend, going over the pros and cons of my plotline, and have even done the enneagrams of each of my characters, along with myself,…
Perfect for a Vegetarian Main Dish: Pumpkin Lasagna w/ Ricotta and Swiss Chard
This is a favorite dish of our daughter Rachael. It’s a perfect addition for the vegetarians coming for Thanksgiving this year. This super-creamy lasagna is unusual because it’s made without tomato sauce. I highly recommend it for a holiday treat! Pumpkin Lasagna with Ricotta and Swiss Chard ACTIVE: 45 MINTOTAL TIME: 1 HR 45 MINSERVINGS:…
Growing a Softer Legacy
I never saw it coming—that I’d have a grandma who didn’t like me. And I don’t believe she ever did, at least not as long as I can remember. I have no memory of her extending kindness toward me. This puzzled me because everyone else in my life—family, friends, church—seemed to embrace me with open…
The Life I Didn’t See Coming
When I was 16, I knew that in my future I wanted a loving husband and several children. I also wanted a career, since I knew, from watching my mother earn her Ph.D. as I was growing up, that intellectual stimulation and economic freedom contributed to happiness. I saw myself in a helping profession, such…
Poem: Sweet Like Gardenias
A long day of work—students from noon ’til night,green against gray skies. I love my students:smart, unguarded, steady, bright—white flashes of light. My life is enrichedthrough this “enrichment” I give;a mourning dove coos. How did this happen—this unplanned yet joyful life,sweet like gardenias? Gratitude fills me.Life’s tender gift—so fragile.Somewhere, a dog barks.
Ray’s Excellent Honey-Sweetened Cranberry Sauce Recipe
It’s time to share Ray’s wonderful honey-sweetened cranberry sauce recipe to grace your table on Thanksgiving. It’s better to make a few days ahead so the flavors will meld. It is easy and delicious. No refined sugar, only honey. Here’s the recipe: 2 12 oz. packages cranberriesEquivalent volume chopped applesToss in a pan with 1/2…
20 Minutes a Day 