Soooo, I’m a Kentuckian living in Ohio near the border of West Virginia. :scratch: Basically what I’m saying is river hopping is a way of life and I’ve spent my share of time in Huntington. And what is in Huntington is in Ohio, it’s in Kentucky and I’ve seen it during my travels throughout the United States. That was a point made on the show and I think it needs to be stressed.

I don’t know if you caught the first of chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution but I’m watching, unable to believe the man was here in the area and at the time I knew nothing about it! LOL That just amazes me. Yes, apparently I did have my head buried in the sand (or in finishing a book) during the filming of the episodes, otherwise trust me, I would’ve soooo been in Jamie’s kitchen.

If you haven’t caught the show, Jamie is taking on Huntington, WV’s status of being the fattest, most unhealthiest in the nation. Not exactly a tag any city wants. Watching the show, some residents resent his presence, others welcome it.

Me? Jamie, please come visit my home!

I looked up Jamie’s Kitchen online and found out the city of Huntington has taken over the space and is now offering cooking classes to carry on the work Jamie began. It’s a bit of a drive (1.25 hours) but I’m thinking of signing myself and my daughter up for classes. Since I’ve been eating less processed foods I’ve been able to tell a huge difference in how I feel. But for a non-cook? Gotta tell you, other than salads I’m not sure what to fix or where to begin.

I was told over the phone that attendees are asked to make a $10 donation to cover the cost of food BUT if that was out of range there were scholarships available. My daughter was very excited at the thought so I think we’re going to attempt it.

Are you watching the show? Would you ever consider paying for cooking classes like the ones being offered?

Kay

The RITA Award (romance publishing’s Oscar or Emmy equivalent) nominations went out yesterday. Sadly, I didn’t get the call. :tantrm: I was hoping for the opportunity to replace my mouse-eaten chocolate RITA but…maybe next year. Congrats to ALL the finalists! It’s such a fabulous ride to the big stage and awards night gala. Enjoy every second of it!

As the nominations were rolling out yesterday, I found myself purchasing several of the books I hadn’t read. But I bought three out of maybe…seventy? eighty? titles. Some, award nomination or not, simply did not appeal.

Does knowing a book received an award or some kind of recognition make you take a second glance? Are you one of the readers who reads *every* RITA nomination after they’re announced?

Kay

I spent the morning with the dh at the accountant’s office doing tax stuff. The end result? It taxed my brain! :scratch: Numbers are soooo not my thing. Thank goodness it’s only once a year! And now it’s done. Yay!

Have you done yours yet?

Kay

Hi, guys!

Sorry I disappeared there for a bit. Had to go on a school trip with DD and have been recovering ever since! :sleepL

All this week I’ll be answering questions over on eHarlequin about writing related books/connected series. If you’re a writer, I’ll hope you’ll stop by to chat. If you’re a reader, I hope you’ll stop by the chat :crowd: about your favorite aspects of reading a series etc. Here’s the link

Did everyone have a nice weekend? It was gorgeous here!

Kay

Okay first some backstory: (Heh. Gotta love the irony ) In 2000, I attended my first RWA National Conference and after the gala on Saturday night, the party favors were little aluminum foil covered chocolate RITA statues. Needless to say, everyone went nuts over them and a lot of the attendees went home without one. unch:

Me? As a total newbie and determined member of the pre-pubbed, I protected my chocolate treat like a mama bear and managed to fly it home without it melting–or me nibbling (For all of you who know me, you know how much I looooove chocolate. This was no small accomplishment! LOL). :choco:

Why? Because I vowed I wouldn’t get rid of her until I could replace her with a *real* RITA. Well, for a while Rita was in my freezer (out of sight, out of binge range LOL), but then when I was nominated in 2007, I took RITA out after getting that call and she never went back in. I liked having her all shiny on my shelf, fake miniature or not. So, for the last three years she’s been keeping me company in my office (because as much as I love chocolate, *ten* year old chocolate is not for me!).

Well, thanks to a loooong winter and now flooding, in the last couple days we’ve had…visitors. Of the four-legged variety. (Ick. Eew. UGH!)

That’s bad enough, but today when I cleaned the house, or namely my shelf???? Last week Rita was fine and freshly dusted but this week–I never thought I’d say this but the mouse ate my Rita! :baby:

Poor Rita had been pulled to the back of the shelf, her aluminum ripped from her body, her head eaten off and most of her chest devoured!

(A moment of silence, please. )

Heh. This just goes to show mice can’t be trusted–and chocolate should always be eaten. If you don’t, *they* will!

Do you have a special keepsake? A motivator? Something to inspire you?

Kay