On the morning of September 11, 2001, my husband and I were lying in bed before taking our kids to school when Ray turned on the television to watch the morning news. Suddenly, I heard him say, “Oh, my God!” I looked up to see footage of the first plane plowing into the first tower…
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.
5 Star Recipe for Black Bean Salad with Mango, Cilantro and Lime
I am not always that crazy about salads that aren’t just greens and the usual vegetables, but I have to say that the recipe below is absolutely delicious. Liz’s boyfriend, Ron, supplied the recipe, which appeared on the side of the can of black beans that his mother had bought. She served this one evening…
A “Homey” Writing Workshop
I have recently decided to expand my teaching of writing to include small groups for adults (I teach primarily one-on-one and online); so I am offering a writing class in my home for the first time. This will span 5 weeks and will be for 1 1/2 hours every Wednesday from September 25 – October…
Lessons I’ve Learned from Losing 4 Siblings
As some of you know, I am from a family with six children (seven, except my little brother, Robert Alexander, died shortly after birth). All my older siblings: my sister, Leslie (11 years older); and my brothers, John, 9 years older; Jim, 8 years older; and George, 3 years older; have died. The only sibling…
Back in LA, but So Tired
I am sitting here in LA with eyelids that will barely stay open. We woke up at 3:15 am to make a 6 am flight from DFW airport, which is an hour and fifteen minutes from Sherman. We flew to Phoenix, then on to Long Beach via US Air. I had students today so that’s…
When Life Changes Without Warning
This morning, I headed across the street here in Texas to see how progress was going on our renovation for what we call the Dimmit House (that’s the family who owned the house the longest way-back-when). I noticed that my husband, Ray, was over talking to our neighbors, a young couple who moved to our…
“Restore” in More Ways Than One
Today I struck up a conversation with a young African-American woman working at the McKinney “Restore,” a favorite spot of ours when shopping for building materials. I have noticed this young woman on previous visits because she is always attentive and proactive with the customers, as well as efficient. In fact, I’ve said to myself…
Scene 3 of Story
The distant shot-gun blast caused both Zachary’s and his mother to jump in surprised. “Oh dear,” Mary Catherine said, rushing over and sliding the bolt across the back door. “Zachary, run quick and lock the front door. Who knows what kind of hooligans are going to be out and about because of this disaster!” Zachary…
Tonight in Sherman
We are in our last days in Sherman before heading back to LA on Thursday. We are very busy trying to wrap everything up before leaving. So, tonight’s 20 minutes a day post is going to be brief since it is already 12:01 Central Time and I am sore need of going to bed. Here…
Thoughts on This story I’ve Been Writing
I am writing a first draft story that people are reading in its first draft form. This is good in that I get encouragement as I proceed; it’s not so good because I think of a new idea after the installment has gone out and I don’t quite know how to correct what I’ve just…
