Saturday night at the NMBA Banquet, I was thrilled to learn that I had one won two awards, Best Cookbook for Cuisines of the Southwest (Golden West Publishers), and Best Novel--Adventure or Drama for Avenging Victorio (Rio Grande Books). It's just my 15 seconds of fame, but it sure felt great! Time constraints prevented me from delivering my winner's speech: "Because of these awards, I am postponing my retirement because I want to spend less time with my family." ;-) 

The keynote speaker at the New Mexico Book Awards was David Morrell, and I really enjoyed sitting at the same table with him.  He's the guy who invented the character Rambo in his book First Blood (1972).  While working on the book, he was drawing a blank on the name of his protagonist when his wife came back from shopping with some heirloom apples that are grown in upstate New York.  The variety is called 'Rambo', and the rest of the story is history.  Visit David at his site, here.  He lives in Santa Fe, so we'll get together soon.

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Libby, our 9(?) year old Cornish Rex, was selected as the Cat of the Day for July 8, 2009 in Workman's upcoming 365 Cats Page-a-Day Calendar.  The caption reads: "First born to a barn cat in 1950 in Cornwal, England, the Cornish Rex has a wavy, washboard coat and well-muscled thighs that account for her reputation as one of the most remarkable athletes of the cat world.  She's playful, smart and very easy to care for.  Special Mention.  LIBBY--Mary Jane Wilan and Dave DeWitt, Albuquerque,  New Mexico."

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Love to watch the Food Network but can't cook as well as your favorite star? Now's your chance to have your grilling question answered, possibly even in person! Inspired by letters from fans, Dear Food Network features top chefs answering your cooking concerns, problems and challenges.  Guy and Giada are here to help improve your recipes and grilling skills!  The Food Network is looking for fun, creative 20-second videos (DVD or MiniDV) to incorporate into the show.  BUT FIRST, for video guidelines please contact foodnetworkseries@gmail.com.  AND send them your stats (name, age, city/state, living situation, contact info) plus a recent photo, a little about yourself, and your cooking questions.  The best questions/videos will be used on the show and some people will get to have their question answered in person by his or her favorite chef!

Please send your DVD or MiniDV to:

Embassy Row
Att: Dear Food Network
110 Leroy Street
7th Fl.
New York, NY 10014

All entries must be received no later than Monday December 8th.

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Ted Nugent rocks. Ted Nugent hunts. Ted Nugent fights relentlessly in support of the Second Amendment. He has received praise from President Bush and Tom Ridge, amongst others, for being "a good man" and exemplifying "the founding principles of this great nation." He writes without regard for traditional spelling. He eats squirrel... Molly Wales reports, here.

"The Nuge" Meets "The Pope"

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Nancy in 1995

My longtime coauthor and food editor Nancy Gerlach has retired and moved to Mexico with her longtime husband, Jeff.  Mary Jane and I will visit them in Yucatan, of course, so they're not completely gone from our lives.  Nancy recently recounted their trip by truck and trailer from Albuquerque to Yucatan, some 2600 miles, and it's a great story, here.

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