Ray and I are heading out for Ojai to spend the night in the orange grove. The sky is clear – no rain in sight, unfortunately – but the good news is the stars should be shining in abundance tonight. So, it will be a treat to be out in the “wild” for a bit,…
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.
A Few More Thoughts on One of the Best TV Series Out There
Ray and I have been slowly working our way through Orange is the New Black. I have to say that this is the best show I’ve seen on television that describes with stark clarity what prison life is like for women. There are the good cops, the corrupt ones, along with the ones that are decent, but have…
My First Job: McKnight’s Drug, 1968
When I was a sophomore in high school circa 1968, my friend and fellow cornet (or was it French horn player?), Cathy Wait, mentioned one day in band practice that she was working at McKnight’s Drug Store in the pharmacy department. “I love working there,” Cathy said, “and they have an opening at the soda…
Ten Things That Have Been On My Mind Lately
1) The world seems to be falling apart: Gaza and Israel; Ferguson, Missouri; Syria; Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea; girls stolen in Nigeria; women sleeping homeless on the streets of the United States (not to mention the men); Russia and Ukraine conflict; stalled out politics in the U.S. Congress; people divided over…
New Addiction: Orange is the New Black
My children and several of my students have told me that I must watch the new Netflix’s show “Orange is the New Black.” Ray and I began today and watched two episodes. I must admit that the first five minutes of the first episode had me muttering, “Hmmm…I don’t know if I’m going to like this.”…
Another Long One…
This is the second day in a row that I have left early in the morning and have arrived home late in the evening. Today, we worked on another estate we’ll be selling, then this evening we attended a wedding and reception for two St. Thomas friends. Best wishes Clark and Efrain. Tomorrow, we have…
Long Day
We have just returned from spending the day in Ojai and Santa Barbara where we continue to help a woman sell her Western art collection and other antiques. To say I am pooped would be a serious understatement. That is at least a 2 hour trip one-way depending on traffic (which was heavy today). I…
House of Cards = Addiction
I am going to post a quickie tonight since I must admit that Ray and I have swallowed the kool-aid called “House of Cards” and we have been watching the first two seasons over the past few days. Tonight we’re watching the finale for season two and since it’s almost midnight, the truth is I…
Smattering of Favorite Music: 1960 – 1969
I was thinking about the music that I associate with growing up. There is a lot that comes to mind, but I thought I might just put together a few songs that bring back big memories from my childhood and adolescence. This will be far from definitive, but it a spattering of what life sounded…
Robin Williams and a Few Thoughts on Major Depression
I was very sorry to read the news of Robin William’s death yesterday. What a sad ending for a man who has brought such joy into people’s lives through laughter. How ironic that such a “funny” man could end his life by his own hand, communicating to the world that his private world had become…
20 Minutes a Day 