Leslie’s birthday is in just a few days, so she has been on my mind. This is a repost of the remarks I made at her funeral back in March, 2012. Good afternoon. My name is Len Leatherwood and I am Leslie’s younger sister. On behalf of my entire family, I’d like to thank you…
Category: Texas
My Father’s Words
These are things my dad used to say: 1) “That old dog won’t hunt.” This meant that excuse won’t work; that plan isn’t any good; that behavior isn’t what it should be, etc. 2) “Hasta La Stinko” This was accompanied by a smile and a wave to a bunch of teenagers who seemed to constantly…
A Child’s View of My Life Today
What would the child I once was think about the adult I have become? I think she would be happy with much of my life. She would love the orange grove, and my children, their partners, and Luna, plus she would think Ray is funny. She would be pleased that I write and that I am…
Day Two of Painting
You know all those positive words I was using to describe the Zen of painting just a couple of days ago? Well, let’s just say those words don’t apply when there are beams across the ceiling that are faux-aged and, therefore, covered in a brown color. I painted and repainted and re-repainted those beams all…
Insight from Max Perkins and Hemingway
The famous editor Max Perkins wrote: I think, in truth, that the best writing of all is done long after the events it is concerned with, when they have been digested and reflected upon unconsciously, and the writer has completely realized them in himself. It is good journalistic writing that is done quickly while everything…
Favorite Cartoon Characters from My Youth
My favorite cartoon growing up was Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends. I loved watching Rocky, the flying squirrel and Bullwinkle, the moose, as they matched their wits against their archenemies, Boris and Natasha. As I recall, there was always a Dudley Do-Right cartoon immediately after Rocky and Bullwinkle, and there was usually one of Mr….
Five Items I’d Grab if My House Were On Fire
If my house were on fire, then here are the things that I would grab as long as I knew all people and animals were safe: 1) My family photographs. I am calling that one item, though there are hundreds of photos. This reminds me to put them in one box that could be easily grabbed….
My First Job: McKnight’s Drug, 1968
When I was a sophomore in high school circa 1968, my friend and fellow cornet (or was it French horn player?), Cathy Wait, mentioned one day in band practice that she was working at McKnight’s Drug Store in the pharmacy department. “I love working there,” Cathy said, “and they have an opening at the soda…
Ten Things That Have Been On My Mind Lately
1) The world seems to be falling apart: Gaza and Israel; Ferguson, Missouri; Syria; Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea; girls stolen in Nigeria; women sleeping homeless on the streets of the United States (not to mention the men); Russia and Ukraine conflict; stalled out politics in the U.S. Congress; people divided over…
Smattering of Favorite Music: 1960 – 1969
I was thinking about the music that I associate with growing up. There is a lot that comes to mind, but I thought I might just put together a few songs that bring back big memories from my childhood and adolescence. This will be far from definitive, but it a spattering of what life sounded…
20 Minutes a Day 