I have a thing about the word “should.” I can’t stand it when people use it, particularly in reference to me. I go into swinging mode and find myself instantly defensive and angry. “You should…” says to me that you don’t think I know what’s best for me. You need to tell me instead. Of…
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 Tasty Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
I made these cookies today. The dough is mixed, chilled, then cut into slabs for baking. I have included below the original recipe from a GREAT cookie cookbook: bigfatcookies by Elinor Klivans. (I found my copy at a thrift store and use it often.) Because Ray and I don’t eat refined sugar, I have added…
Good Storytelling in the Film “Mud”
I saw the movie Mud today and I can highly recommend it. I was impressed with the acting – a welcome surprise when it comes to Matthew McConaughey. I also thought the story was first-rate and illustrated a few elements that are important for all good story telling. These elements include: A rich setting. The…
Beach: Then and Now
The first time I sat on the beach at an ocean was when I was sixteen-years-old and I had come to Sierra Madre, CA from Texas to visit my sister, Leslie. She took me to Manhattan Beach, which was beautiful except for the offshore oil derricks. I had a brand new white bikini that I…
Luna and the Advantages of Planning
I am on the Gold Line train heading out to spend the day with baby Luna and daughter Sarah. This had not been my plan for today, but Sarah asked me yesterday if I could help her. I had a dozen tasks slated for today that I scurried around yesterday and completed. I am not…
One of Those Days…
This has been one of those days. You know the kind – full of hurry, worry, planning and people. Too much to do in not enough time. Everything good, but filled with just enough tension to make it feel a little too hard. Yes, that’s been today. I am not going to write for 20…
An Early Morning Trip to Our Orange Grove in Ojai
I’ve been up since 4 o’clock this morning. My husband, Ray, and I wanted to do some work at our orange grove up in Ojai, but we both needed to get back by mid-afternoon. So, off we went at 4:30 am for the 11/2 hour drive. Luckily, there was no traffic at that hour so…
Religion and Family Values Here in Beverly Hills
When I was growing up in my little Texas town, I knew one man who was a Jew. He was the father of a friend of mine and I didn’t actually know him well. He was a local dentist, Dr. Poliakoff. After I married and moved to Sherman, Texas (25 miles from my hometown of…
A Time to Slow Down for Us All
I think my body is in holiday mode. All I want to do is cook or rest or eat. No desire to run out and clean more in the garage, which is on the to-do list. No, instead, I am inclined to stare at television, head off to the kitchen to whip up a honey-sweetened…
A Great Film Produced by A Few People I Know
I just returned from seeing Gatsby. I have to say that despite a reluctance on my part to go to see this film because of the lukewarm reviews, I ended up absolutely loving it. I don’t even like Leonardo DiCaprio as a rule, but he was perfectly cast as Jay Gatsby and Tobey Maguire played…
