Author: admin

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

Drawing, sculpting, writing, singing, and dancing….  There are many ways, to express yourself. As an artist, I have colored with paint most of my life. As a new author, I spend more and more time, coloring with words. There is a great appreciation for art and an insatiable appetite to create deep within us all, in one form or another.  Every story, illustration, painting, sculpture, and even the cabin we’ve built, has been wrapped in layers upon layers of my blood, sweat, tears and love.

Many people have encouraged me to write and illustrate children’s stories. Have you ever heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”? As an author birthing this new book, titled “The Lion of Tupungato”, it’s important for me to acknowledge and thank my village. Calumet Editions being the newest member of this village.

Years of funny stories, crazy country living, exciting events, and some rather unbelievable travel experiences have been written, only to be stuck in a computer folder labeled “never to be read”. These archives will be opened, for all to read. A few of those past experiences have already inspired a new manuscript along with illustrations. There will also be blogs about, “The Lion of Tupungato” children’s story.  Laugh, as you read about chapters and story endings that didn’t work. If it were not for the photos that accompany these blogs, you might not believe the stories about all the wacky projects, such as welding, hike down a three hundred foot riven, or rebuilding an old boat. There’s never a dull moment here on the bluff or abroad. Taking care of the land, traveling, helping others, fun tasks, creating art, illustrations, and writing, keeps things interesting around here. These blogs might not be long, on the other hand, they could be rather entertaining.

www.leannembenson.com

Here’s the start of my blog journey. Let’s go!