Lea Hope Becker began writing poems and short stories when she was a ten-year-old growing up in a crowded Chicago, Illinois neighborhood. As a youngster, she possessed a vivid imagination and adored writing, and her interest in literary pursuits never waned. As time progressed, Lea decided upon a career that ultimately led to becoming a tax attorney.  But beneath the spreadsheets, her desire to become a published author smoldered.

At age seventy, after years spent in her lawyer profession, she wrote and published her first book, a humorous memoir of her childhood, which included her own illustrations.  In quick succession four more humor books were published: two memoirs and two fictional stories “laced with humor.”  In her own words:

“My writing reflects how I feel about life, including my belief that laughter is still the best way to achieve well-being.  I enjoy writing stories to make people happy, not sad or angry.”

As many of her devoted followers have observed, “A book written by Lea can brighten the darkest day.”

Lea lives with her illustrator/photographer husband and writes books in West Palm Beach, Florida.  After having her home and workplace in heavily populated suburban Chicago for many years, she remarried and relocated to rural upstate New York.  Lea and her husband began longing for less challenging winters a decade later and moved to enjoy the warmth of southern Florida, where they currently work at home and find time to travel for pleasure.

Her poem “I Love South Florida Weather” is a reversal of the way “snowbirds” think.  By simply reading this poem, the reader can visualize Lea decked out on a beach chair ready to take in the sunshine during an overheated summer day when a sudden tropical storm arrives, leaving her alone, shivering from the wind and running for cover but still laughing at how quickly a planned schedule can become unraveled.  If you asked her how she is able to still feel upbeat, she’d most likely reply, “It’s a good excuse to catch up on those extension tax returns for my nervous clients!”