Since we recently celebrated Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), I wanted to share an altar I created a few years ago for my best childhood friend, Patricia Butler. At that time, I was taking ceramics classes at Barnsdall Art Center in Los Angeles when my teacher mentioned that the center was planning…
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.
The Practice of Noticing What’s Good
10 Things I Like About Myself If someone asked me to make a list of what I like about myself, I might hesitate at first. It’s not something most of us do very often. But there’s real value in pausing to acknowledge what’s good, solid, and true about who we are. Here’s what came to…
The Story Circle Network Sightseeing Tour and Writing Workshop in Spain, 2025
I am reacclimating, slow but sure, after almost two weeks in Spain, which is 9 time zones ahead of Pacific Time. While I’m still dragging just a bit, I can now see the end in sight regarding my jet lag. This trip may have been our best yet. Our guide, Christopher, was sensitive, knowledgeable, and…
Happy Halloween
We have indeed made it back from Spain after an absolutely wonderful time. The only downside to the trip is recovering from the dreaded jet lag, which is still dragging me down a bit. I expect to be back to my old self by tomorrow, I hope, and will tell you in more detail about…
Avila and Segovia, Spain
Having a wonderful time on this Story Circle Network trip to Spain. Twenty-five travelers, half of them writers, enjoying the exploration of this lovely country while writing daily. Quite a treat. Plus, our daughter Sarah is with us. Even better. Here are some photos of Avila, birthplace of St Theresa and Segovia, which has the…
Layers of Me
I have a thin, but distinctive wall that protects me. I imagine it running over the entire outside of my body, much like the thin coating of chocolate around a Twix bar—familiar and alluring in its chocolate nature, yet hiding something surprising just beyond its façade. My inner structure is not soft and gooey with…
Day Two of Spain Sightseeing Tour and Writing Workshop
After breakfast today at the hotel, our group took a guided bus tour around Madrid, then visited the Royal Place. Don’t worry, we didn’t see all of the 3,000-plus rooms, but rather only 26. Afterwards, about half of us walked back to our hotel (the others took the bus). After a two hour nap on…
Day One of Spain Trip
Our folks have gathered and we are all now here. Had a good writing group tonight and a lovely dinner. Tomorrow we head to the royal palace. our guide, Christopher, is sensitive and knowledgeable. All is well. Here are a few photos.
Madrid Does Not Disappoint
Today, we visited the Reina Sofia Museum, which was filled to the brim with wonderful art. I have included many photos (I took at least twice as many but didn’t want to overwhelm you). We also walked through the botanical gardens, which were truly lovely. The quality of the art here is beyond my wildest…
Tired but Happy to Be in Spain
Ray and I have made it to Madrid! We traveled on Iberian Airlines from LAX with another of the tour participants, and the trip went quite smoothly from start to finish. Ray and I had chosen aisle seats across from each other, which was very comfortable and gave easy access for walking around from time…
20 Minutes a Day 