I started teaching a new class yesterday for Story Circle Network called, “20 Minutes a Day of Writing for 30 Days.” I have 14 students, which is more than I’ve ever had at SCN since we pride ourselves on small classes and because online teaching can be intense, especially when giving detailed critique. But this…
Category: Writing
Happy Father’s Day to A Wonderful Dad
My dad was fifty when I was born. I was the lucky recipient of an adoring father who never wavered in his constant love and attention. I know I am very fortunate to have had that kind of dad; one who treated me with kindness, respect, and as though I was someone special. I have…
“Just Get Me to the Church On Time,” A Tale from Gregorio and Sarah’s Courthouse Wedding
I wrote this piece back in 2014 right after Gregorio and Sarah got married at the courthouse in June before their “real” wedding in November at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, Hollywood. Three kids later, I had to laugh when I read this. Nothing like a little stress on your wedding day. Sarah and…
Jacaranda Trees, Huell Howser and a Few Photos
This is a repost. However, the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom right now and I saw an episode of Huell Howser yesterday so this feels quite current. I love Huell’s ability to observe with such glee and ask just the right questions. The Jacaranda trees are blooming all over the city and I wanted…
A Trip to Fillmore for a Little Rose Therapy
Periodically, Ray and I visit Otto and Sons Nursery in Fillmore, CA, to look for roses for one of Ray’s clients. This charming establishment was founded in 1976 and has been thriving ever since, with Otto and his four sons at the helm. This is a lovely spot to go for a bit of rose…
Granddaughter Luna’s Story with Grandma: Wise Voices
Wise Voices Gene was a brown horse who lived at a farm and his legs were very thin. He was born with those thin legs and even though he could walk, he couldn’t gallop like other horses. This made Gene sad because every month there was a celebration and the horses got to run in…
An Inspiring Documentary on Maya Angelou
I watched a wonderful short documentary by Felix Augustine on Maya Angelou today. It chronicles her life and has interviews with her son, other family members, Cicely Tyson, Malcolm X’s daughter, Oprah, Gail King and many others who knew her very well. It shows what wide and varied experiences Maya had as a dancer, singer,…
The Joy of a New Air Conditioner Even With the Current Bad Stats for SoCal and Covid-19
I am sitting upstairs in our bedroom enjoying the cool air pouring out of our brand new air conditioner that Ray bought yesterday at Home Depot. Our old air conditioner ground to an unceremonious halt two nights ago after freezing up several times during the day. Naturally, this was on a day when it was…
“Just a Little Hope” – A Song by Len and Sam Leatherwood
This is a song that I co-wrote with my brother, Sam, a while back. I love it, primarily because of the chorus from which the title is taken. This is a song about how “just a little hope” can get you through tough times. It feels especially appropriate right now and brings me solace when…
Love, Color and A Bit of Surprise
I grew up with two strong black women who worked for our family, one from the time I was born until I was 8 and the other from when I was 8 until I was 19. Their names were Louise Love and Lorene Massey and they washed our clothes, cleaned our house, cooked our food,…
20 Minutes a Day 