I love Tina Turner. Her talent is exceptional; her life story is inspiring. She is a woman who had the courage to leave a long-term abusive relationship and go on to have a remarkable life and career. She is a role model for us all on overcoming strife and figuring out how to thrive. May…
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.
Poem: “Do It. It’s Right for You”
Daring to dream, what does that really mean? Taking the risk Quelling that voice that shouts, “Who do you think you are?” Pushing past well-meaning friends and family who express their fears of your likely failure and the hurt it will cause you. They think it’s love, and they really do love you. But just…
Facing My Dental Fears
I went to the dentist today after a long time away. I lost part of a filling and knew it was time to tackle some of these dental issues I’ve been avoiding. I am not dental-phobic but let’s just say I haven’t been dental-embracing either. So, today, I headed into a new dental office and…
Excellent Honey-Sweetened Lemon Bar Recipe
I plan to make these tomorrow. We have loads of lemons on our lemon trees and a healthy lemon bar is a definite treat. Here is the recipe. Let me know how it turns out for you. Filling: 3 whole eggs1/4 cup honey (I found the smaller amount was perfectly sweetened enough – raw honey…
Poem: A Window Opens
A window opens and my spirit slips outside She sees creamy moonlight slanting through leaves silvery moss growing on the trunks of old oaks wispy clouds lingering on far-off mountains. She befriends red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, two blue herons who live nearby, a gopher snake slithering across the dirt road. She feels no fear, no…
Bach’s Goldberg Variations for Viol, An Instrument I Learned About Tonight
Tonight, I listened to the Bach-Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, transcribed for viol, a Renaissance and Baroque-period six-stringed instrument that is larger than a violin and smaller than a cello and is played vertically with a bow, like a cello. (Not to be confused with a viola, which is bigger than a violin and played under…
Baby Ethan and His Dad Gearing Up for Warming Temperatures in Ojai
I snapped this photo of Ron and Ethan today up in Ojai. The days are getting warmer and the sun is strong. Hats are a necessity and neck protectors are wise for those who tend to burn even on a day like today. This is just the beginning of the warmer weather that Ojai has…
Photo Essay: Happy Birthday, Sweet Sarah!
Today is my oldest daughter, Sarah’s, birthday. I have included a spattering of photos over the years from when Sarah first met her husband Gregorio until the present. I adore this fine young woman who is a wonderful person in all aspects of her life from daughter to sister to wife to mother to friend…
Flash Fiction: A Gift of Love
There were 17 cats in Dr. Fredericks’s basement and it was bad down there. Not just bad down there, but even upstairs where the faint stench of cat urine and feces seem to envelop the whole house. This might not have bothered anybody but the dear old doctor, but he was a violin teacher of…
Note to Self
Note to Self Feel the sun on your face, Notice the moonlight filtering through the treesListen and appreciateBoisterous mockingbirdsLulling mourning dovesBusy scrub jaysCawing crowsBreathe in the sweet airFeel the peace withinBe grateful
20 Minutes a Day 