Sunday, February 11, 2019. What Anniversary? Back to being just another voice in the choir after two weeks of being the cantor, but that's a relief. By next time, I will have picked up better strokes. This is something I discovered a long time ago, when I was trying to learn the violin. I could hack and hack and hack away at the music with no improvements. But when I awakened the next morning, I found that somehow I had learned even the most difficult parts of what had stumped me before. We fill the gap with brunch at Ox Lot 9, in the Southern Hotel in downtown Covington. That's one of MA's favorite places to dine, mostly because she likes the atmosphere. I don't remember what she ordered, but what came my way was a dish so perfectly assembled that I couldn't get my mind off it. It's billed as a fritatta--the pancake-shaped omelette preferred in Italy. Inside, it has well-hidden crabmeat, some subtle mushrooms, and a bit of soft cheese. The matrix of the omelette is something close to a cloud in its lightness. The more I ate of it, the more impressed I was. We didn't have time now, but next time we go there I want to watch how the chef did it. Everything about it was perfection. I have a radio show to host at noon. I warn all the male listeners that they have to get on the stick with their Valentine's plans, lest the ladies they're involved with reminds them of the shortfall from here to eternity. MA points out that I myself, giver of advice, have no reservations for Valentine's, nor have I secured any impressive boxes of candy. So she writes her own diary entry to help correct this glaring lack. [divider type=""] I have a radio show to host at noon. I warn all the male listeners that they have to get on the stick with their Valentine's plans, lest the ladies they're involved with reminds them of the shortfall from here to eternity. MA points out that I myself, giver of advice, have no reservations for Valentine's, nor have I secured any impressive boxes of candy. So she writes her own diary entry to help correct this glaring lack. [divider type=""] A Simple Valentine's Day Treat By Mary Ann Fitzmorris To say that Tom's mother was into chocolate covered cherries is a gross understatement. Those were (and maybe still are) big in her day. I remember almost choking on the sweet syrupy centers,. But I couldn't deny that everything should be covered in chocolate. As Valentine's Day rushes up on us, people may be more inclined to buy really expensive mail order chocolate covered strawberries, but why? You could have this decadent lover's nibble for less than the price of the cherry box of yesteryear. We Marys do it all the time. I just gobbled the last three from the weekend before the other Mary notices. I haven't been shy about gushing over Trader Joe's 72% wonk of dark chocolate. A pound for $4.99!! I have enough of this stashed to last through at least one apocalypse. There are a few other varieties, all Belgian, but I've never gone past my obsession with the plain dark. A pound should make enough to please your lover. Chocolate Covered Strawberries 1) Heat chocolate over simmering water until melted. 2) Dip strawberries (you may need to get a double batch of berries to select the largest, but smaller ones are just as delish) 3) Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and refrigerate. Voila! These happen so quickly surprising your beloved should be a cinch. If you missed this before, save this copy for next year. Or for Easter, or whenever Valentine's Days are found. [divider type=""]