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Picture this scenario: Your grandchildren are visiting for the weekend. It’s your first day together. And you’re already wondering, what you are going to do to entertain your bright, inquisitive grandchildren. It was a rather short drive home from the bookstore. However, waiting for each stop light to turn green, helped pass the time. As you pull into the driveway, your granddaughter throws her arms over the backrest of the passenger’s seat, to tell you, she had finished reading one of the three books you had just purchased.

Sitting down with your two grandchildren, your attention focuses on the second book. Holding this world atlas, you begin dreaming up a make-believe trip. Noticing the Andes Mountains painted on the cover of the third book, your grandson points to the mountain range on the map and asks what life is like in Argentina. Picking up this book titled The Lion of Tupungato, you begin to read the first page aloud and soon realize, there is more to this story than a mountain range, a lion, and a little girl.

“Have you ever had to do something you didn’t want to do, or be someplace when you’d rather be anywhere but there? Does it frustrate you when your parents make decisions about what you should do, without consulting you? Well, let me introduce you to Sedona; you may have a bit in common.

It was Memorial Day weekend and Sedona’s parents were in Nantucket celebrating their wedding anniversary, while she was confined to a meager twenty-minute ride to her grandfather’s house. She didn’t mind spending time with him. But if the truth were to be known, she really would have preferred to travel to Massachusetts, Madagascar, or Malaysia.”

After reading the entire story, you come to the last page. “Sedona sat quietly with a smile. She realized her trip across town to see her grandfather was more meaningful than any other place in the world she could have traveled to during spring break.”

How much enjoyment can this approximate one-hundred-fifty-page story bring? It all depends on how you look at it. You might find The Lion of Tupungato stimulates your interest, beyond the printed words inside. The interesting views on life south of the equator, might intrigue you. You may relish in being a detective. Unlock the mysterious code that might have led to this actual plane crash in the Andes Mountains. And with any luck, this fun adventure will possibly boost your children’s curiosity about the world. Perhaps it will even persuade them to inquire; where their ancestors came from, before they immigrated, and struggles they might have encountered to claim their freedom. It could possibly, provoke your children to dig deep, find their strengths, and understand where they get the power to make it through difficult times in life. You might enjoy discussing the differences between the two girls in the story. One girl learns to be gentle about judging others too quickly, while another finds strength to deal with bullying and inequality. Maybe you’ll stop at the end of each short chapter to discuss unfamiliar words, new places, and family values. You could even try your hand at illustrating your favorite scene in the story. There are numerous layers to this seemingly simple children’s story.

It is my hope, that The Lion of Tupungato brings you and your children enjoyment, as you spend time together. The best part for me, is the warm cozy feeling it generates. To read more about this book, visit me at www.leannembenson.com

Writing is an archeological dig for me. The magic happens when excavating the collection of ideas in search of the hidden treasure. The problem started when my enthusiasm for writing, carried me off course and lead me to “start digging in Texas while standing in Argentina”. It’s been something we’ve joked about quite often at our house. And so, I thought I would share those amusing times and let you laugh along with me.

As a cardiac surgical nurse, Isabel was a vital member of the heart team. She met challenges with gusto. Eager to learn more about new medical breakthroughs, she could hardly wait for her supervisor to finish telling her about the heart conference, to accept the offer.

Stryker sat at the helm of the old helicopter, waiting patiently to make the return flight home. Isabel and the other six had just returned from the conference. The aggressive sun-rays felt as though they could melt a polyester shirt to Isabel’s shoulders.

The helicopter’s fuel gauges hadn’t moved off “full”, when Stryker received a distress call on the radio. A nearby control tower was transmitting on the emergency frequency channel 09. All aircraft in the area could hear the distress signal. After a minute, with no other aircraft response. Stryker keyed the microphone.  

“We’re on it!” Stryker replied to the controller’s detailed message. Hesitant to admit to the others, the helicopter was nearly unstoppable except for two things. It didn’t like the heat, and it didn’t perform well in altitudes over 5000 feet above sea level. The flight plan he had just taken could put them into mountains over 8000 feet. Everyone on board agreed to take the risk.

Just when the search seemed an impossible task, Isabel pointed and yelled over the roar of the engine. “Look… over there… at the bottom of that ravine.” There wasn’t a flat location to land. Jumping out of the flying buggy, with one skid on the ground, was their only choice.

The sweltering heat and whirling sand were hard on the crew. The engine had to work twice as hard in the thin, hot air. The chopper was having trouble. There was little room for error in this tight spot. The helicopter could not take on any more weight or they may not make it out of the ravine. Isabel made the only decision she could think of and stayed behind. Through the worried eyes of one rescued passengers, a glimmer of thanks, was revealed to Isabel.

The engine revved louder as the helicopter pulled away from the rocky ledge, and slowly turned, to gain altitude. Unable to descend to gain speed, the aircraft swung back and forth. Taking an unexpected jerk toward the mountainside. Stryker pulled up on the cyclic control and fought to avoid the rocks.

Isabel could see the helicopter was struggling. As she watched it lunge toward the mountain, a flashback from her youth, of the terrible momentous airplane crash, vividly appeared. She closed her eyes. “I can’t look,” she thought. “Pull up, pull up,” she began to chant to herself. With her eyes still closed, she could hear the pitch of the rotors change. –The chopper was gaining altitude! Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath and then a sigh of relief, knowing they were going to be okay. The helicopter was out of danger and heading to towards the hospital.

Isabel sat down on the hillside as she watched the helicopter fade into the distance. Thinking of all the challenges and events that had given her the strength to do what she had just done; a smile arose on her face. She was grateful for her relationship with her father and thankful for Pansy’s friendship. It had been exactly ten years since Isabel had found her steadfast friend, lying next to the plane crash, on that snowy mountaintop so very far away…. And the story continues. The new path that leads to our conclusion in The Lion of Tupungato, now says. “It had been exactly one years since Isabel had found her steadfast friend on that snowy mountaintop.”

The trinket I took from this experience, that I found while writing this children’s story: Mistakes aren’t a bad thing. G. K. Chesterton once said, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing badly.” –And so, I stop questioning what to write, and just started typing.  I learned to, go ahead, type away, make run-on-sentences, get ideas out. Bad is better than a doing nothing. It’s working towards a better next time.

www.leannembenson.com

How many times, have you tried something which looked easy, only to find out it took more time and money than originally thought? You would think, I would have learned, that lesson after five years of building our house.

“What a fun project!” I blurted out, when my husband came up with a great idea, to make a video promo for my new book. We had always enjoyed watching those short YouTube videos and thought, “How hard can it be?”  It wasn’t all that difficult or costly to make this video. However, it did take more time and ingenuity than originally thought. Determined to finish our project on a shoestring budget, added to the experience. It didn’t work out the way we thought it would happen. However, the recklessness, becomes rather entertaining.

Unsure, how long to make the video, we decided to follow the length and format of an advertisement. It was surprisingly easier to ramble on, than it was to shoehorn a book report in only forty-six seconds. The harder I tried, the more mistakes and silly things happened. Honestly, I lost track of the numerous outtakes, coughing, saying an inappropriate word, and just drawing a blank on what to say next; while my husband patiently stood behind the camera. Those bloopers that we didn’t use, weren’t destroyed. We’re not stand-up comedians, –however, those silly mistakes, may someday get their debut on our YouTube channel bloopers video.

Piecing together a makeshift studio, allowed the music in my husband’s head to become The Lion of Tupungato’s theme song. It took a few days to record all the different instruments and mix them together. I couldn’t help but laugh, when he ran outside at six o’clock one morning. It was a “balmy” negative seven degrees, as he stood on the patio playing a flute, in a Parka and shorts! He was in a hurry. Getting dressed, could mean he’d miss a special recording sound and feel of the cold dense air at sunrise. Unable to find the guitar’s glass slide needed to create the perfect “lion’s” roar at the end of the song, didn’t stop him either. In all the years I’ve known him, seldom was there a time when he didn’t come up with a way to work around a “stale-mate”. Improvising, he returned from the garage, with a three-quarter inch socket wrench, quietly sitting down with his Les Paul, he starts to play. He then pulled in a bass part played by my step-son, which fits right in with the importance of family in this story. When the audio tracks were mixed down, mastered, and the music bed was complete, it was time to position all the audio layers correctly. Arranging things like the slide guitar part, so not to cover the dialog, was tricky. With even the best laid plans, the timing was so tight, the guitar slightly steps on the words Tupungato at the end.

Only a few more pieces like the pencil drawings, and the book cover had to be scanned and added, the title to my website typed in at the end, and it was finally finished! –”Oh wait!” There were noticeable breath sounds between some of the words which needing to be removed. “Now it Finished!” –”Not so fast!” You Tube is tolerant of video format, but the finished video was not recognized by Amazon for our book page. Our old video camera was not the correct resolution and had to be converted. The first attempt had to be deleted on You Tube, before uploading it to Amazon and then back onto You Tube. And lastly, the link on our home page had to be altered to play the You Tube video. “This time, –it’s really finished!”  Time to start thinking about the next one, now that all the hard head scratching is done.

The trinket I took from this experience, I may find useful when writing children’s stories: Life’s a lot more enjoyable and even fun, when you don’t try to make things perfect.

To watch our video, visit www.leannembenson.com

 

A mother should never have to look into the eyes of a doctor and hear those words, “Your daughter has cancer.” And then explain to her precious little girl why she must take medicine that makes her violently ill, or why she must get excruciatingly painful shot.

I’d heard these words and more, –and each time I hear this very touching story, it brings tears to my eyes. It is my hope that this extremely personal account will raise awareness, and leads to finding a cure for all cancer, making it a thing of the past, so no little girls or boys will ever have to go through what you are about to read. Here is what my daughter-in-law writes:

“Weeks before my seventh birthday, I started feeling extremely fatigued. I would literally sleep all day, every day. My parents were concerned, so my mom took me to my primary care doctor’s office for an appointment right before close. My mom came in to the doctor’s office saying that I needed to be seen right away because I was tired. The nurses thought she was being overprotective and a little nut since it was about eight at night and her six-year-old daughter was tired. Luckily, my doctor agreed to see me. He drew some blood and the results pointed to Mono. My doctor sent my blood off for further testing and we went home thinking that all was well. Fast forward a bit, and two weeks before my birthday my parents get a call from my doctor. The news wasn’t good. I didn’t have Mono, after all. I was then diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

If you are to get Leukemia, ALL is the one to get. It has the best survival rates (over 90% for children) and, I believe, the treatment is less strenuous than other kinds. In other words, I was lucky to be diagnosed with ALL.

I underwent chemotherapy for about a year and a half. I like to say that I had an easy time with chemo, and I was fortunate enough that my Leukemia was fairly easy to treat. I was considered to be in remission after only a few weeks of chemotherapy, though the chemo did have to continue to ensure it didn’t come back. I have remained in remission since that time without any instance of relapse.

Even though I say that I had an easy time with chemo, the treatment is never easy. My body, and my brain, blocked a lot of what was happening so that I don’t remember most of it. Now I know that this is my body’s way of handling trauma. I remember very nasty medications, such as prednisone, that I couldn’t swallow without throwing up unless it was concealed in jello or fruit rollups. I also remember having to get a periodic shot in my leg. This particular shot needed to be injected directly into the bone of my leg. I also had to endure various surgeries and procedures that were not, for lack of a better term, fun.

Even though my treatment went fairly smooth and my Leukemia journey was “easy,” I still have some long-term side effects from the medication. I have tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears, that started when I was in my pre-teen years. This is a common side effect of chemo. I also have significant acid reflux that was caused by the toxic chemo drugs I was taking. The acid reflux has scarred my esophagus, and the scarring has gotten so bad at some points that it was also scarred shut. I have had to have multiple esophageal dilations since I was about ten. The muscle tone in my ankles is weaker than is considered normal for a woman my age. Lastly, I am starting to develop peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Currently, the sides of each of my big toes are slowly starting to lose feeling. In addition to those, I believe I developed PTSD from my treatment and have significant memory gaps from that time in my life. There is also a chance I could experience infertility because of the treatments, though I don’t think the chances of that are very high.

I don’t tell you about all my current medical issues to gain sympathy. I think it’s important for people to understand that there can be devastating consequences to children going through such intense treatments and having to take such toxic medications.

I am currently 28 years old and as healthy as most women my age. I just started training to run my second half marathon with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team in Training (TNT). For TNT, we fundraise money that goes towards cancer research. This is important because it not only allows us to become that much closer to an actual cure, but it also helps develop more effective medication that have fewer long-term side effects. In the last two years, 40 new medications have been developed for the treatment of cancer, usually three or four are developed per year. Of the 40, 35 of them were funded directly through LLS. These treatments have even been effective in other cancers and diseases (breast cancer, MS, etc.)”

Some of my inspiration to write this up-lifting story about The Lion of Tupungato, came from my daughter-in-law. And so, with great anticipation of finding a cure for all cancers, a portion of the book proceeds will be donated to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The trinket I took from this experience, which I’ve used in my new book; when the trapdoor of life falls out from under you, and you’ve got nothing to stand on, where is the safely net, who is there with a helping hand to pull us back out. The Lion of Tupungato playfully beckons its readers to question, “Where do you find your strength?”

www.leannembenson.com

 

www.leannembenson.com

Don’t you just love watching those extras, at the end of a DVD? Those edits, out-takes, and interviews, adding an extra dimension to the story. It amazes me how one small edit can change the way I feel about the movie.

Imagine the difficulties Charles Dickens or William Shakespeare experienced, holding a quill over a blank page, while a mound of crumpled papers accumulated on the floor. The fatigue, and tedious labors of handwriting the entire page over numerous times, it is inconceivable to me.

Computers have made everything much easier, including the writing process.  While creating “The Lion of Tupungato”, I made a multitude of changes. So many modifications, that if I were to have kept each word in this short children’s book, it might have made Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand, appear brief.

It was a struggle for me, to stick to the standard story-line, yet write something that stood out from the masses. At one point I thought the below epilogue would be a good conclusion to my story about this lion that had been taken from a thirteen-year-old girl. However, the concept of stretching the story out for years, just didn’t seem to fit for children. I still wonder if I should have used it. What do you think?

It had been raining all night. Lush green leaves glistened with the first rays of sunshine. Birds were singing in its branches. Pansy sat in the shade, looking at the valley below. A gentle breeze, carrying a familiar smell, ruffled his mane. His eyes followed the scent to a sun hat rising over the hill. Under the brim, a face appeared. Sparkling brown eyes looked up at him as a graceful woman walked closer. Pansy gazed in amazement, not because people were seldom seen entering the park reserve, but rather, because this beautiful woman –was Isabel.

Pausing, to wipe the happy tears that blurred Isabel’s vision, she murmured, “Can this be true?” A slice of sun reached through the tree leaves and touched the lion’s mane with a tender glow. Taking a couple of fast strides toward him, she shouted, “Pansy!” louder than intended. Her feet raced uncontrollably as she crashed into her gentle giant.

Pansy snuggled next to Isabel and purred softly as she scratched his belly and rubbed his nose. Reaching around his fluffy mane like she had done a thousand times, Isabel squeezed him tightly. Only then was she sure, this wasn’t a dream. She had finally found him!

The trinket I took from this experience, that I may find useful when writing children’s stories: It’s not necessarily the smartest person that succeeds, but the one that doesn’t give up.

I’ll be sharing more outtakes next time.  Till then, keep reading with kids!

Read “The Lion of Tupungato”, with thirty illustrations.

Available now at: leannembenson.com

 

 

What are some gifts you’ve received this holiday season, and which is the most meaningful? Each of us has a different reason to savoring a specific item. “That favorite gift might be from someone special, something wanted for a very long time, or something that has earned a special meaning after realizing the huge effort made by the giver.”

The generosity in each person we met along our travels in Tanzania, humbled me. We were served food and drink, in homes which appeared to have little to give. Presenting us with gifts such as; chickens, woven grass bowls, carved wooden spoons, traditional wraps, songs and entertainment, brought feelings of unearned favor and appreciation.

Eighteen of us squeezed into a one room house with a dirt floor, the day before our big event. Shoulder to shoulder, we lined the four walls as we listened to this gentleman, rich with stories. A moment later, two small children lead one of their two goats in from the backyard. It took me a moment to realize what he was doing. Half of his family’s livestock was being given to us, in order to insure those traveling to join us, would not go hungry.

On the day of our wedding, my husband asked one of the clergymen from Tanzania, “How many people do you think are here?” To which the man replied, “I think, not less than three-thousand.”  Not until that very moment, did I realize, the importance of all those goats and chicken that had been gifted. We were overjoyed to find out, a lorry full of rice and beans had been sent to this tiny village, and that everyone had received a meal that day.

A man crippled from polio, shuffled on his hands to the Alter, and present us with his gift. He told us, through an interpreter, “I cannot work the fields. I cannot tend the livestock. I weave to earn my living. I am so honored that you shared your special day with our village, that I made this grass mat for you.”  It was very humbling, to except gifts from someone with a greater need than I had for their essential item.

The night was magical. We danced to the beat of the drums and jingling bells. Few words were able to penetrate through the language barriers. However, the smiles, laughter, and gleam in their eyes let me know, this was a special day for everyone!

The trinket I took from this experience, that I may find useful when writing children’s stories: “It’s not the size of the gift, but the quality of the giving.”

www.leannembenson.com

It’s the time of year, when we gather with others for merriment. There are many events throughout life when we revel in our accomplishments. How do you rejoice the holidays, usher in the new year, celebrate a graduation, a birthday, a heart stirring religious sermon, or a joining of two hearts at a wedding?

One of the most unusual and very special celebrations that I’ve experienced, was marrying my husband. No, he’s not the unusual part. It was that our wedding was anything but traditional. We celebrated on the top of a mountain in Tanzania. Originally, we were simply going to elope, but then we had a wacky idea to get married while we were over in Africa.

The trip was enlightening in many ways. There was a vast array of lifestyles and living conditions, from the metropolis of Dar Salam, to the city of Iringa, to the tiny village of Idunda, and even the wide-open wildlife reserve of Ruaha River Camp. Each place told of heart-wrenching times, dealing with corruption, such as gifts being held back for unaffordable fees, and the accounts of beautiful, kind and giving people, such as hospitals, and originations providing aid to the sick, well drillers bringing water to the thirsty, educators giving knowledge to the next generation, and more….

The highlight of this trip began, for me, when our group of eighteen packed into three Land Rovers and headed out to this tiny village called Idunda. High-up in the mountains, God, my best friend and I would become a team for life. The roads were treacherous as pointed out by our guide who stated, “Our people in the village are very appreciative, that you traveled so far and are risking your lives to visit them.” At which point, a fellow traveler replied, “Aren’t people in the other vehicles risking their lives as well?”

It amazed me to see the immense amount of goods they transported. Bicycles were loaded down with three to five crates. Carts and trailers, usually pulled by vehicles in my home town, were being pushed up steep hills, by one, two, or sometimes three strong men, of rather small stature. Along our journey, people young and old stood along the roadside. It appeared they had been waiting to greet us. Others set down their baskets, in order to wave.

As we drove into the village of Idunda a group of petite women appeared over the crest of the hill, balancing five-gallon buckets of water on their heads. Water was scarce on the top of the mountain and had to be carried in daily. There were no toilets, running water, or modern conveniences. However, the villagers seemed at peace in their way of living, cut off from news of the nuclear rights in Iran, and other controversies at that time. They were strong, hardworking, generous people with a great deal of love.

News of “wazungu’s” (white people) spread throughout the area, and our small ceremony grew…and it grew. And on the day of the wedding, we were shocked and amazed to learn that there were over three thousand guests standing on the crest of that mountain top. This union– of a man and a woman, was also seen as people from two different countries and cultures, speaking two different languages, coming together. A bond of love, rang-out in the bells and drums, on that starry night.

There was nothing that would have prepare me, for what I experienced in Africa. It wasn’t an easy, relaxing trip, on the other hand, it was very rewarding. The wonderful people we met along the way, taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons.

Here are a couple of trinkets I took from that experience, that I may find useful when writing children’s stories. Seldom can we prepare for what’s ahead in life. However, there’s a better chance you’ll learn more, when things don’t go the way you planned. Travel is one of the greatest teachers!

www.leannembenson.com

It is with great pride and apprehension, I’m announcing the release date for my new book in January 2019. As a new author, I’ve come to realize a book is not just words on a page. It is a piece of someone’s soul. “The Lion of Tupungato”, and its character’s, have been with me for years. Their joys are mine and their pain is real. Together we have grown and learned a great deal. Today, the illustrations and book cover are being scanned for final layout. I say good-bye to my friends. Once these words are bound, this book becomes the reader’s, and is no longer mine. It is up to you to bring these characters to life. They will become your friends, and people you scorn. The emotions I’m feeling are similar to when a child leaves home to start their own life. And so, with bitter sweet excitement, this story goes out into the world.

Young people are facing a great deal of stress.  I’ve been a little broken at times in my life. I have insecurities. Let’s face it -haven’t we all, at some time? Dedicating this book to the young and old going through some of life’s hardships is important, to me. It is my hope that this uplifting story provides inspiration, guidance and comfort to those fighting illnesses, loss of a loved one, bullying, inequality, or anything that make us feel less of a person.

The Lion of Tupungato is laced with thought provoking views of what defines a family. Sedona’s family is Argentinian. However, this story urges us all to be proud of our nationality and those influential people in our lives. A family can be many things. It might be your grandpa, like in the story, your adoptive or step-parent, a family of faith, the family dog or even a Lion, that was always there for you. –That’s your family! They’re the foundation to building your self-esteem and confidants.

The Lion of Tupungato” is an advanced reader book. However, I think kids are smarter than a lot of us give them credit for. Adults don’t want to be talked down to, and neither do young people. There are obstacles throughout life, we all face. Yes, this book has some big words. Young people need the opportunity to build confidence through a greater vocabulary. Reading a good book isn’t threatening or competitive–we can all win.

This book is filled with thirty playful illustrations, but more importantly, life lessons and family values, are not just told, rather they are seen through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old. Join Sedona, laugh and cry, as she gains a new understanding of love, loss, family and friends, in this unforgettable coming-of-age story “The Lion of Tupungato”.

www.leannembenson.com

I’m glad to be at a point in my life, where I can sit back and watch my children grow. It is important to know, they are becoming who they want to be, and not what they think I expect. Choosing their own paths in life, careers that interest them, and things that truly make them happy is paramount. If it had been my job, I might not have chosen the paths they are on -and wouldn’t that have been a shame, for everyone defines happiness differently.

We each have opportunities to make choices, however only for ourselves. We don’t’ get to move loved ones, as though they are chess pieces on our game board. I’ve made choices throughout my life. And those lessons that disappoint me the most, are the times when I was following other’s expectations, rather than following my heart. Isn’t it hard to swallow your pride and admit to making a mistake, and yet it’s even harder when you realize, you took a fool’s advice?

It is hard to know, if listening to your gut is right or if your heart is best. Having patience, taking the time to collect the data, as well as listening to other ideas, before making an educated decision is tough. As the third child of four, I didn’t often get to make my own choices. It wasn’t financially possible for my parents to provide a wide array of adventures. They did the best they could as parents, to which I’m truly grateful. Making decisions and taking ownership of mistakes as a child, was a luxury I often missed. On a brighter note, I am a better person for not always getting what I wanted. The most meaningful lesson to take from my childhood, might just be, to look at my “lack of decision making” as a gift. The skill of knowing when to let other lead. The restraint, to control my adult children. -And so, I sit back with that cliché, bowl of popcorn and watch the adventures of all childhood experiences with pleasure.

The first trinket that I’ve discovered from this experience, that may pop-up in my children’s stories, is that we all want to figure it out on our own. I’ve tried not to tell the story, rather I hope I’ve let the reader see the story through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old.

www.leannembenson.com