Tonight I read my online students’ Week Two flash stories/memoirs and I literally was sitting at my computer crying. The class is tiny – three woman – a perfect size, really, for a class. They are sharing such deeply personal and painful stories with such grace and beauty, I might have to go upstairs and…
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 Lazy Sunday and Rachael’s Lunch Celebration
I am sitting in the living room with Liz. She is studying for the bar exam and I am here on my computer writing my blog. In the den, Ray, Rachael and Keara (Rachael’s roommate) are watching the movie Bernie, which I have already seen twice. (I highly recommend it, by the way.) Sarah and…
A Great Cactus Place and Nursery on the Westside
“The Jungle” on Sawtelle near Missouri in West LA. Lots of goodies and many are on sale. Beautiful colors and condition. See what I mean? I guess not all cactus… What a beauty! Lots of variety. And more inside… An orchids. Beautiful. And more orchids… Just in case you need more incentive… Carlos runs the…
The Best Laid Plans…
It is 11:28 and tomorrow is the homeless breakfast. That means we need to be up and out of the house by 6 am. Why am I still awake? Good question. The gist is that I went with Ray to one of his client’s houses this evening and we ended up staying much later than…
Congratulations to Daughter Rachael
Tonight is the last night that my daughter, Rachael Beaty, has to study for a final exam as an undergraduate. Tomorrow at noon after one last final, Rachael will officially be finished with her Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in American Literature. I am very proud of this youngest daughter of mine who has…
Preparations For My Role as Birth Coach
Today I am thinking of my preparation as a birth coach to my daughter, Sarah, who is officially due April 5th, but may be having her baby sooner. She is already experiencing some early signs of labor and, who knows, this baby may decide to come early and not on time or late. Whenever the…
The Joys of Teaching Writing: Online and Off
I am sitting here in my living room – night outside – and I am ready to finish up my work for today. I have been busy all day, as usual, but not crazy busy. My “Flash Fiction/Memoir” online class started on Monday through Story Circle Network, so I’ve been occupied responding to students’ comments…
Birthday Movie: Django Unchained
Ray and I went with friends today out to lunch and then to the movies for Ray’s birthday. We saw Django Unchained. We are both back home now, exhausted from the movie, but happy we went. It is grueling at times to watch, but well worth the effort. The story of slavery – if told…
Ray’s Birthday and Chai Cupcakes: Yum
Today we had Ray’s birthday celebration. It was just the family: Ray, Sarah, Gregorio, Liz, Ron, Rachael, and me. I cooked Ray’s favorite meal: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad, homemade bread (from Sarah) and two kinds of cakes: chocolate with butter cream frosting and chai. We had lots of fun and ate and ate…
4 Star Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Monday is Ray’s birthday, but since our children are all busy on a weekday, we’ll have our family celebration tomorrow. This afternoon I am making a chocolate cake with buttercream frosting per Ray’s request and I thought I’d share the recipe. This is from Rose Levy Beranbaum’s The Cake Bible, a book I would highly…
