My friend, Dr. Kathryn Challoner, is currently in Liberia helping to fight the Ebola epidemic. Dr. Benedict Kolee is a Liberian physician (trained at USC under Dr. Challoner), who has been one of the key physicians on the ground during the entire epidemic. Here is the most recent letter from Kathryn and you will see…
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.
Mahler at Disney Hall
Ray and I went to Disney Hall tonight to hear the LA Phil perform Mahler’s Sixth Symphony. This is Ray’s favorite and also a favorite of mine, so having Gustavo Dudamel conduct it without the need of a score was fairly thrilling. The LA Phil proved once again that it is filled to overflowing with…
One Poem from Billy Collins
I love Billy Collins’s poetry. Here is one of his poems below to just get you thinking about how it is possible to view other people and oneself using a different lens. I love several of these images, but most especially “the evening paper blowing down an alley” and “the moon in the trees.” See…
My Dad’s Comfort Food
When I was growing up, any time I didn’t feel well, my dad would make me milk toast. This consisted of toasted bread in a bowl covered in sugar with warm milk poured on top. This is pure comfort food for me. Safe, warm, mild. Reminders of my dad’s loving care. Tonight I arrived home…
The “High Life”
Ray and I have been finishing up work on a big estate in one of the high rises in the Wilshire Corridor near Westwood. The 24th-floor condo where we’ve been working has 3200 square feet, a view of the ocean and just sold for a little over 3 million dollars. It is located in one…
Thank You for Your Honesty
Thank you for all who responded to my post yesterday that focused on my reflections about my friend’s recent suicide, brought on by longstanding depression and anxiety. Your responses helped me to remember that if I am feeling something, others generally are, as well. Your thoughts also encourage me to write about tough subjects such…
A Reflection
I have been depressed, I will admit, over the events of this past week. The event, I mean, which is the suicide of my friend, Joseph, who was exactly my age. The difference in Joseph and me is that he had been suffering for years with major mood swings, and as a result had been on…
An Early Night
It is 8:21 and Ray is already snoring beside me. We are in the final days of finishing work on a major estate, and we have been working our tushies to the bone. Factor in the terrible events earlier this week – our friend’s tragic death – and you might have the picture of just what a…
A Prayer for Comfort
Dear God in heaven guide me tonight. Open my heart, mind and soul to Your word and will. Help me to turn to you in this time of sadness. Guide me to see and appreciate the love, peace, goodness and forgiveness all around me and to understand that though pain is real and difficult to…
Blog Dark in Honor Of Joseph
I am going to stay dark here on my blog for one more day in honor of my friend, Joseph, who died on Monday. His death was unexpected and tragic; however, I believe that he is at last at peace. Here is a lovely picture of Joseph that characterizes his spirit. This was supplied by Patricia…
20 Minutes a Day 