We just returned from seeing the film Nightcrawler starring Jake Gyllenhaal. I can say without qualification that this is a must-see. You don’t have to take my word for it. This film has a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well. Jake Gyllenhaal, who lost 30 pounds for this film, is superb in his…
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.
Quick and Easy Peach Cobbler
Here is a recipe I can highly recommend. I made this today and it is easy, easy, easy and also fairly quick. It is a modification on a peach cobbler using a can of crescent rolls as your lower and upper crust. Yum. It bakes up fast, too. Directions: Put 1/4 cup of honey into…
Moving Forward, Albeit Slowly
I am sitting with Elena. She just gave me a pep talk about never being discouraged about my writing. It is easy, however, to get discouraged. I write, write and write and then submit (there are not three submits here since I am not as good at submitting as I need to be), but then…
Lucky
Sometimes people described me as the Marilyn in my family. That is a reference to “The Munsters” from television in the 1960’s when Marilyn was the only “normal” person in a family of vampires, werewolves and several more other worldly creatures. If you knew my family, everyone had a special something that made them unique…
A 5-Star TED Talk
If you haven’t discovered TED talks on YouTube, you have missed a jewel that is free for the taking. TED stands for Technology, Education and Design and this network is devoted to exploring “ideas worth spreading.” The talks are given by experts in a variety of fields and are on widespread topics. There is also…
Rain is A’Coming
Southern CA is preparing for the upcoming deluge of rain that has been forecasted. This part of the country is so different from my native Texas when it comes to precipitation. Here, the mention of rain always includes a second mention of mudslides. This is not something that gets talked about much in North Central…
Sleep, Work and Rain
Today I took another 2 hour nap. I realize this may not seem newsworthy, but it is for me. I rarely take the time for that level of luxury and it was a lovely treat. I had lots of vivid dreams. Better yet, I woke up to the sound of raindrops plunking on the air…
A Sleepy Day
This has been one of those do-nothing days, just hanging out and recovering from a cooking marathon yesterday for our belated Thanksgiving. My nephew, Jim, and his family are here and we also had visits from Liz, Rachael and Luna. We watched television, ate left-overs and chatted. No work, no duties. Just pure relaxation. Luna…
Our “Friday” Thanksgiving
Today was our Thanksgiving Day. I have been cooking since 8:30 this morning. We had a lovely meal with a whole host of family and friends. I am grateful for the bounty in my life. I am now going straight to bed.
Heading to Ojai
We are en route to Ojai for a couple of days before celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday instead of Thursday. Our Utah relatives are heading that way, too, plus two of our three daughters. Sarah has to work, hence our rearranged turkey day. I am happy to head to the orange grove. It is a major…
20 Minutes a Day 