I have just begun reading John Steinbeck’s Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters, a compilation of Steinbeck’s letters to his editor and friend, to whom he addressed a journal entry every day before writing his manuscript pages for his novel. East of Eden is one of the first books I read years…
Author: lenleatherwood
I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 30 years in Southern California. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing coach, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of four darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 44 years.
50 Pieces of Literature I Love
Here is a list of books, plays and stories that I have found compelling (not exhaustive and in no particular order): Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Macbeth by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare The Odyssey by Homer Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck The Great…
Repost: My Oldest Brother?
I was walking the other day in downtown Los Angeles when I saw him – a man in his mid-forties, slight of build, with a square jaw and dark eyes. My heart jumped in my chest, John! I wanted to shout out, but did not. My brother, you see, died back in 1991 and this…
Prompt: Write About a Place That Defines You Most Clearly
“When I understand myself, I understand you, and out of that understanding comes love.” Jiddu Krishnamurti The place in my life that defines me most clearly is our orange grove up in Ojai, California, which is 1 ½ hours north of Los Angeles, 12 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Our orange grove is filled…
Chic and Duran Duran
We celebrated Ray’s belated birthday tonight by going to Irvine Meadows to see Chic and Duran Duran. This was Ray’s choice primarily because he has been a Chic fan ever since they appeared on the scene. Rachael. Liz, Ron and Ron’s friend Kevin all were there. We are currently speeding north along the 405 with…
Back in LA After a Stop in Sierra Madre
We are back in LA tonight. The house is warm, but now the windows are all open and the fans on. Plus, we have turned on the air conditioner in the bedroom. Already the night air is cooling down the house, which has been closed up for the past 15 days. I drove both days of…
Happily in Grants, NM
We have been on the road since 12:30 this afternoon. It is now 10:30 at night. I did all the driving because Ray was worn out. We have been busy these past two weeks there getting lots of things accomplished: garage sale, new booth at the antique mall, new renter, cleaned out barn, clean house,…
Busy Last Day at Home and at the Antique Mall
Today was the last full day Ray and I are in Texas before heading back to CA. We tidied the barn, moved boxes to the bank building, took a whole load of goodies up to the antique mall and started tying up loose ends around the house. We are still not finished – so much…
Shattered Glass Political Ceiling
Today, a shift has occurred in our world. A woman has been nominated as the official Democratic contender for President of the United States. Other women have run before, but no one has moved to this level of the game. Love her or hate her, Hillary Clinton has broken the glass ceiling for presidential politics….
Repost: My Connection to Texas
Whenever I drive back to Texas, the minute I hit the border from New Mexico, a calm settles over me. Not that West Texas is my home, but still, I can see the big open sky and the flat plains and I hear that West Texas closed-mouth drawl when I stop for gas. These signal…
20 Minutes a Day 