I have a little break in my childcare this afternoon due to two sleeping kids so I thought I’d take this time to write my blog early rather than 30 minutes before I head to bed. Normally, Ray and I take one day a week to take care of our little grandkids: Luna, age 3…
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.
Flash Fiction: Jacob’s Search
Jacob reached for a cigarette, lit it, sucked in the smoke then blew it out through his nose. Good grief, what was he going to do today? He considered his options. Watch more CNN? No, that was making him agitated and depressed. Take another shower? How many did he need and besides his skin was…
Today’s Heat and Tonight’s Moon
Today has been a day to hide from the heat. That’s just what Ray and I did, worked inside, upstairs in the air conditioning. I talked to one friend in Palm Springs who said it was 123 degrees there – a new record – and here in LA it was HOT, in the high 90’s….
Our “Mini” Father’s Day Amid the Heat
Liz and Ron, Rachael and Ariel came over this morning to celebrate a mini-Father’s Day with Ray. The “mini” is because we are going to officially have this celebration next weekend when Sarah is not working nights at the hospital. (A resident’s life is hardly worth living, I’ve noted.) Ron and Liz arrived with food….
Reflections on My Father
I am sitting here tonight thinking about what I could write about my dad. He was a good father. He demonstrated daily that he loved me dearly. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he always held open his arms for me to come close for a hug. His pet name for me…
Simple Tasks: My Daily Favorites
A list of my favorite activities on any given day in no particular order: 1) Taking a bath 2) Drinking lots of chai tea 3) Listening to music – classical, country, jazz, folk, etc. 4) Perusing Facebook 5) Taking my dogs for a walk 6) Fixing food 7) Taking a road trip 8) Writing my…
Grace and Frankie: Worth Watching
I have just finished watching the first and second seasons of Grace and Frankie with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. I realize I am late to the G and F party, but I’d like to put in a good word for this original HBO series. It is funny, topical and, of course, well-acted. Martin Sheen…
Repost: Why I Write
I periodically have to remind myself why I write. Tonight is one of those occasions. It certainly is not for the money, by the way, or the fame. So, why do I write? Let me think about that question for a minute. I write because: 1) I often express myself on paper better than through…
Breaking Out of My Comfort Zone
Last night I went to my Still Life class at Barnsdall Art Center. Daughter Liz and I are taking this class together, but, unfortunately, my trips to Texas have meant that I have missed several. (Not counting last week when we played hooky and went to dinner instead.) Ray is taking a ceramics class at…
Old Music to Cheer My Heart
I needed to hear some music tonight to cheer me up. Here are a few of the songs that made my perk right up. I hope you enjoy them too.
20 Minutes a Day 