Dear editor,
I'm writing to let everyone know how wonderful it was to be with such enthusiastic kale-growing (or prospective kale-growing) folks.
The book signing on Friday at the Comox Library was so full of people — it blew me away, actually. I've never had so many people show up (and so enthusiastically!) at a book signing.
Seventy-one kale lovers were in attendance and I think Martina, owner of Blue Heron books, was pleased.
She also probably wishes she'd had more books, as many participants seemed to want one, and she actually ran out — a fairly uncommon occurrence these days for an independent bookstore.
Saturday Farmer's Market at Courtenay was just fantastic. It was my first time there, and a few of us were lined up in a Kale Fest, which had been organized by Arzeena Hamir (my friend, of Amara Farm).
I got to sauté onions and leeks and kale and other goodies on a Coleman stove in a cast-iron fry pan, and seduce attendees with that wonderful aroma in the great outdoors.
Arzeena's lovely daughters Inara and Amina helped out. Inara was a great help in the stir-fry department, and Amina is very good at selling!
The weather co-operated completely, and once again, everyone wanted to buy The Book of Kale. I had brought 22 books but could have probably sold another 20 easily.
A huge thanks to everyone for their gracious and warm welcome to the Valley. I'm going to be visiting a lot more in the future!
Sharon Hanna
Editor's note: Sharon (Queen of Kale) Hanna has written The Book of Kale.