Lunch with the Heroine's Creator

She got me through the holidays, Kate Shugak did.  The boys were immersed in football involving all manner of replays and Red Zones and mental acuity.  I hung in there as long as I could, but even I had to admit defeat.  Finding Kate on the Kindle introduced me to a new heroine and a new author and kept me occupied for days.  I read nineteen of nineteen books in the series straight through; I received the twentieth today from the hands of the author.

The luncheon was held at Scottsdale Community College

whose Culinary Arts department grows its own produce, it seems.

 Broccoli florets were just beginning to percolate

while the Texas Tarragon was spent.... 

or, perhaps, harvested for dinner last night. 

The mesculum reminded me of G'ma telling Daddooooo that the salad I'd lovingly crafted from farmers' market produce was "garden clippings; shut up and eat it."

The dining room filled with Danamaniacs, Facebook friends who love Dana.

They were hugging in real life.  It was fun to watch.

Dana Stabenow had as much fun as we did, it seemed.

A good writer of fiction must be a good listener, I think.

Dana Stabenow certainly proved that today. 

This reader had a list of questions, each of which was answered with care.

 The words are important, and she used them well.

 It was an informal setting, a place where everyone had her say.

The food was creative and delightfully served.

The owner of The Poisoned Pen bookstore was our hostess.

My photography didn't do her justice, so you'll have to make do with this picture of her necklace.

I was obsessed.

Dana Stabenow is going to be at the Tucson Festival of Books, March 8 and 9.

Since you couldn't join us at lunch today

perhaps you'll treat yourself to her presence next month.

I know I'll be there.