DEDICATION

This book was edited and proofed during the unprecedented isolation of the Spring 2020 corona virus pandemic in the United States. Everything was made more difficult by the need for social distancing and the horrible news of illness and death bombarding us every single day. My editor, in particular, was going through a rough patch and yet, she still found time to edit this for me. Thank you, Jess, from the bottom of my heart.

I also must thank Peggy McChesney for finding a few more errors than usual. She is my final check and my dear friend for being willing to give these books a read when they might not be perfectly ready for ‘human consumption.’ LOL. Thank you, Peggy, for always being willing and so incredibly helpful. You’re the best!

And a special nod to my 94 year old Dad, who has been putting up with my cooking for the last five weeks, while we’ve been in self-imposed isolation. Our small county on Long Island, in New York, is number two in the nation for corona virus illness and death right now. It’s a scary place to be, especially since he is so vulnerable. (Though, I’m no spring chicken either, these days!)

Dad and I started isolating before any of the orders went out because I can’t take chances with his health. As a result, we’ve had to eat my lousy cooking for five weeks already, and I can’t tell you how much we are both looking forward to being able to eat out again!

And finally, just a thought for us all who are living through this crisis, and all those who didn’t make it. My heart goes out to you and your families. We’re all in this together…but at a safe, socially-distanced space. We’ll get through this and when we do, I hope and pray that life will be better than ever, and all the more precious for what we have just experienced. Hang in there.

I hope this story will bring you all a little respite from your cares and woes, if only for a few hours…