Dianne Lehmann

The Next Great Idea

I thought I had my next great idea for a novel. I was writing every day. It was going well. I had about 24 chapters written and then it all just stopped. Yes, I came down with West Nile fever right about that time and was exhausted most of the time. Feverish. Achy. Pretty darnContinue reading “The Next Great Idea”

Sam, or Not Sam

I like squirrels and we have a lot of squirrels where we live. Our neighbors have named some of them. One of them is named Sam. He’s a cheeky fellow who will take peanuts from their hands, but hasn’t yet let me get that close. We have a line of juniper trees in our backyard.Continue reading “Sam, or Not Sam”

Life

Life is not like a box of chocolates. It is more akin to a piñata. In both cases, however, you never know what you will get. But the manner of the getting is vastly different. And that’s my thought for the day.

Millie’s Further Adventures in Time

I did it. I hit the publish button. It still gives me the willies. Was it really ready to publish? Did we find all the errors? Did I make some good editorial decisions? With KDP, you publish the paperback first. Or at least that’s how I always have done it. I’m thinking that publishing theContinue reading “Millie’s Further Adventures in Time”

I Remember Feeling Adult

It was coming up on Christmas. I was in my first year at college and I needed to do some Christmas shopping. I drove myself to the Whittwood Mall in Whittier, California. I figured they had enough different kinds of stores that I could find everything on my list. In the middle of all theContinue reading “I Remember Feeling Adult”

Good Enough

Some days, I feel totally inadequate. Like I can’t do anything well or right or at all, for that matter. Other days, I think I can do anything. I rejoice in those kinds of days. Unfortunately, lately the other kind seem to be more predominant. So what do I do when I feel inadequate? IContinue reading “Good Enough”

Fourth of July in Our Front Yard

Every year, Dad would put on a real show. He would visit all the fireworks stands (yes you could actually buy them openly in California at that time and did not have to go to Mexico for them). He would select only the best rockets and fountains and whirligigs. There were fire crackers (how heContinue reading “Fourth of July in Our Front Yard”

Orwell Gasteyer

I’ve started a new novel. And yes, I have not yet finished proofreading my last novel. But I am beyond halfway with the proofing, so it’s looking hopeful for some time next month. I’m having a blast … as usual … creating the characters. The main character is a young man named Orwell Gasteyer. HeContinue reading “Orwell Gasteyer”

A Cat’s Tale

Hi. My name is Orange Kitty. It wasn’t always that. I can’t remember what it was once. I just know that it wasn’t that. My new people call me Orange Kitty or OK or sometimes Mr. Fuzzy Pants. I don’t really know why they call me Mr. Fuzzy Pants. I don’t wear pants. I sortContinue reading “A Cat’s Tale”

A Bother and a Burden

I believe that there are three things that every living creature deserves: contentment, health and comfort. Yes, it sounds like entitlement until you take it apart a little further and acknowledge that what each individual needs in order to have these things is very different. And, in my opinion, entitlement is a matter of degreesContinue reading “A Bother and a Burden”