Who is Lea?

And why should you read her?

“I’ve discovered the secret of life,” Kay Thompson, the eccentric 20th-century entertainer and “Eloise” author once said. “A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a lot of tra-la-la!”

And that’s kind of me: A loner who enjoys giggling with family and friends. A stoic who’s a hedonist with a heart. Much richness. Much struggle. Many jobs besides writer in my long life, from social worker to tech company V.P to pseudo-V.I.P. So now. So then. So hopeful, still … and counting.

As a travel writer for over 60 years I've been around the block (more like around the entire world), and have written thousands of stories and articles about the fascinating people and places I’ve experienced.

But I now want to write pieces about my life, and the world, and living. Beyond travel.

There’s much to tell. Working with foster kids who had AIDS, acting in an Indie ("Nurse 1"). Appearing on Jeopardy!. I've been managing editor of a travel publication, written for The New York Times, and authored eight books.

I call this newsletter Lane Changes for many reasons: rich in my 20s, poor in my 40s, rich and poor and in-between again and again. I married early (a distinguished man) and late (a famous man), and even later, a truly kind man. I mothered, and later enjoyed a delayed adolescence during my 40s and 50s. My heart is in the right place, my head is on straight, but the dizzying road has been long and winding, and I have adapted.

When I tell friends about travels to a hundred-plus countries, the five-star hotels while renting out rooms in my house, my crazy childhood, solo-momming, romances with the rich and famous and abusers as well, my time as a rebbitzen, late-in-life love and loss, threatening illnesses, economic plummeting — they have cajoled over the years, “write about it!”

I grew up in that buttoned-down mid-century era when we’d giggle at the word “period.” Tattoos were only seen on sailors’ biceps. We didn’t even pierce our ears, let alone our labia. We pretended to be virgins until we married at 21, and many of us were, at least technically.

But boy I’m ready to spill my guts: That my mother didn’t love me. That I was an ugly duckling. That I slept with one husband on our first date and another, not for years. And weird things, like unknowingly going on a blind date with a murderer (actually, it was murder for hire, but who’s counting).

There’s a long way to go backwards and still some time forwards, but I am here, now, okay in my imperfections, and yes, even with my deepest fears and flaws. And I care about the world, and have opinions. I’m not afraid to speak out.

Because I like to play with words, here’s my life summed up in three l-o-n-g, fun sentences. A tease. There will be more regular-size sentences to come. Promise.

Born in Manhattan, I was moved to Miami with a gambler dada, toxic mother, roommate grandma, and I survived a sad youth (just), thanks in part to a Miami Herald internship, Mr. Wonderful’s young love, and over-education; then Atlanta, San Antonio, upstate New York, London, New York suburbs, Miami: a turreted manse playing wifey (ta-da), two fine sons, (sorta) happy hubby, mommy things, poodle, plays, mysteries, stringing for papers, music, cui-sine, dabbling: I'm pampered, seem delighted, though unmentored -- then whoa it changes, and I'm a struggling solo mom.

Roller coaster lifestyle begins with kids away, and a chance for worldwide exotica/erotica; I'm a consultant, giggler, author with an added half-degree; then it's limo, bus, limo, bus (ya never know, just adapt to the men and circumstances), then surprise: Great Love arrives late, and --oh my, who woulda thought -- this agnostic becomes a rebbitzen?!

Then my husband’s too-soon loss to cancer, my own cancer, too (but early!) I survive, then strengthen, with travel, books, tv gigs, columns, blogs, a website -- busy in Florida winters, New York summers, with my Sweetie meowser; then, the New York condo gone in the financial fiasco and I'm back to Miami where it began, a so-so, oh-so solo, aging gracefully (hopefully), gratefully, liberally, cheaply, celibately; friends, sibs, grandkids, passion (still), empathy, another cancer (early again), fun (lots), sharing, hope (always) ---and surprise, new love, new husband, and on and on!

Join me as I write. It will be about all kinds of things, but never, ever dull.

(If travel’s your thing, my podcast is here on Substack or wherever you listen. And please do pass this along if you like it. )