The good news.
I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame. I join an illustrious group of Colorado authors including Madeleine Albright, Clive Cussler, Louis L’Amour, Stephen King, and James Michener—to name just a few.
I am being recognized as a pioneer in writing my 14 gluten-free cookbooks, which helped bring greater awareness to the gluten-free lifestyle. In addition to writing cookbooks, I worked with physicians, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists, support group leaders, and patients who successfully advocated for legislation on ingredient labeling and a definition of gluten-free. Since a gluten-free diet is the only treatment, our work made it easier to eat a safe, healthy gluten-free diet.
I didn’t intend to become a cookbook author. I spent 12 years in academia and 10 years in the corporate world before my debilitating gluten-intolerance inspired me to self-publish my first gluten-free cookbook in 1995. That cookbook led to others which were ultimately published by several large publishing houses. Other gluten-free cookbook authors joined in and we now have a marvelous choice of cookbooks for any eating style.
I am immensely proud of all we’ve accomplished in the last 25 years and I thoroughly enjoyed working with all of you. I have fond memories of the trade shows, conferences, speaking engagements, and consulting jobs in the U.S. and worldwide. We worked hard, and established enduring friendships that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
And, now the farewell.
Larry, my beloved husband of over 50 years suffered a series of hemorrhagic strokes in August, 2019, was diagnosed with dementia a few weeks later, and ultimately died in February, 2021.
Needless to say, throughout his illness—which was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic—I had little time to do the necessary recipe testing and writing to publish my monthly blog or engage in social media or write cookbooks. Being a caregiver to a dementia patient is a full-time job. So, my work languished.
My lifestyle has also changed. I traded my spacious house of 30 years for an apartment in a retirement community where meals are provided. I don’t have to cook unless I want to.
My last cookbook was Gluten-Free Cooking for Two, published in 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I don’t plan any future cookbooks because I feel like I’ve said everything I want to say. So, it’s time to “hang up my apron”.….”turn off the oven”…..”unplug the mixer”..…or whatever retiring cookbook authors say.
So, my induction into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame seems like an appropriate way to end my career. This may be my last blog post. It’s time to move on. Goodbye to everyone! Be well and be happy!