Florida Books

What a brave woman this author is. She bears her soul for all to read. Her heart wrenching journey leaves you feeling hopeful in the face of any adversity and truly empowered as if all things really are possible.
I count Connie May fowler as one of my living heros!

Haven't we all wished at one time or another that we had talked the significant others in our beloved's past?!?!


After knowing and teaching with Connie May for a number of years, I waited far too long to read Katie; Connie May had left the building. And I now long to share my thoughts with her.

Her compelling memoir strikes a chord with anyone who has walked away from the carnage of a love/hate relationships, and of the fear that forces one to stay too long.

I will say that Connie Mae's courageous relevations bring to the surface the consequences of failing to "out" the abusive for fear of sounding like a victim, even though, typically, an abuser--be their tactics verbal, psychological, physical--or any combination thereof, trumps the will of their partner with the ploy of taunting and by suggesting that "you enjoy playing the victim role."

These masters of their own game create a nearly unbreakable cycle by constant character atacks that serve to undermine ego structures,and emtional equillibrium. The resulting co-dependency morphs into a version of the Stockholm Syndrome, wherein ties to the captor are reinforced.

As anyone who has experienced this "crazy-making" life knows,it is a long, hard recovery, but failure to expose exploitaton is like an endorsement that permits him/her to move on to yet another target, whom he/or she will expertly convince that the former spouse,lover or colleague was "crazy" and presenting themselves, instead, as the abused.


Connie May's courage makes us all want to stand up and shout!

There's no question Connie May Fowler is a gifted story teller and extremely talented writer. Some passages are so searing and full of truth I've gasped when reading them. Unfortunately, the story she tells here is not fiction. I won't go into the plot because other reviewers have.
But I will say that this book will open up the eyes of readers who wonder why rape and domestic violence can damage people so deeply. In telling her story, Fowler goes further - also showing how 'teasing' and discrimination against someone because of the appearance of their face can cause deep and life-lasting scars. So far, the latter is a problem barely touched on by authors and psychologists.
Read this book with an open mind, and you'll find her story underscores how cruelty, shaming and bullying can almost blow out the flame of a promising human being before she even gets a chance to realize her own talent.
Conversely, this book demonstrates how kindness and compassion can help a suffering soul survive and even bloom.
Fowler is never pitiful and pathetic, and even when the most degrading acts are done to her, she remains a person with dignity.
Free from cruelty and shame at last and embraced by love, the real Connie Fowler emerges in the end.

Connie May Fowler's, "When Katie Wakes" is masterful glimpse into the soul of a battered women. I could not put this book down once I started and I finished it in an afternoon. A heartfelt account of one women's journey from both inner and outer torments to wakefulness and a sort of freedom, I would recommend this book to anyone. Fowler's easy writing style opens the door for us to descend easily into the hell that is home to the battered woman. Often wondering exactly what is was that kept a woman from mentally walking away from her abuser when she could physically do so, Fowler's insight has put the answer into perspective and I will never have to ask that question again.

When you get right down to it, authors like Connie May Fowler are not much different than the rest of us. Fowler bears the scars of a horrific childhood and early adulthood, one strewn with the wreckage of a shattered self-image fueled by the alcoholic abuse of her mother and the degradation of a hideous relationship with an older man. She, as have many of her readers, has suffered through despair thick enough to reduce her to attempted suicide and has faced the depths of self-abdication so profound that she began to absorb the very evil identity her tormented partner imposed on her.

What makes Fowler different from us, however, is language. In her hands, words make anguish palpable, sadness tangible, struggle imperative. As an author, Fowler is able to make sense of her life, and, in so doing, help us make sense of ours. "When Katie Wakes" may well be the most brutally coarse and ugly memoir you will ever read, but, at the same time, one of the most beautiful and impassioned pleas for individual integrity and indomitability ever composed. It is nothing less than a masterpiece.

Though Ms. Fowler credits her adoption of a loyal and loving dog, Katie, as the symbolic act of reclamation and reaffirmation of life, she sells herself far short. The grandchild and child of abused women, the child Fowler becomes the target of her drunken mother's rage. The Fowler children become adept actors, hiding the shame of family disgrace and brutality under the veneer of achievement. Keeping verbal assaults invisble, preventing others from recognizing the constant physical beatings absorbed by Mama, Connie's family life resembled "smoke and mirrors, deception and shame." A "wall of silence" shrouded suffering. As a child, Connie received sustenance from words and books, and her resultant triumph as an adult vindicates her choice. Her older sister, however, absorbs and internalizes the viciousness of her home, and, consequently, develops anorexia as an adult.

In a remarkable self-portrait, Fowler describes a wretched adult woman, unloved, unlovable, disgusting and repulsive. Her self-hatred is "untainted and unhinged." She believes herself "so ugly" that only an abusive, impotent, failed radio celebrity would be willing to love her. Yet, there is not a single note of self-pity in this wrenching memoir. Fowler reminds us that her mother's life, obliterated from a childhood rape, transcends her own in loss. Mama was "an angry woman who believed life had let her down. And it had." From disappointment to the target of her own husband's physical abuse, Fowler's mother recirculates and intensfies the pain, deliberately deflecting it on her children.

As a young woman, Fowler has not escaped her mother's imprint. Indeed, her chosen partner encapsulates her mother's jagged opinion. Tense is irrelevant when Fowler hears herself described as "stupid," or "an ungrateful whore," or a "lousy excuse" of a lover or daughter. When she hears her mother decry her existence, "I wish...I had died the day you were born," Fowler must come to grips with an essential life choice: descent into emotional self-immolation or ascent into a struggle for life and affirmation.

"When Katie Wakes" bravely portrays Fowler's battle for identity and wholeness. Her steadfast determination to "take responsibility for my own happiness, for my own sense of self-worth" is the best medicine for any person struggling to make sense of inner turmoil and despair. When she proclaims her need to discover "what my placer in the world should be," she speaks for any person on the cusp of a life-altering decision searching for the courage to embrace life's potential. This emotion-laden memoir is eloquent testimony to the ability of one person to wrestle life from death, hope from despair, the future from the past.

I must admit that I had never even heard of this series until a month or so ago (I'm nearly 45). I hate that I missed out on these as a kid, but the kid in me is greatly enjoying them now. They are a joy to read.

The only negative that I see is the fact that so much time has passed since these books were written, some of the vocabulary and vernacular present in the books will be unfamiliar or have a much different meaning to kids of today. However, the gentle humor and the life lessons present throughout the Freddy series are ageless, and well worth your money and your children's time. Highly recommended.

Originally published in 1928, this is the first of about a dozen children's books starring Freddy, a clever young pig with a taste for adventure. If you are looking for books for little kids that aren't too scary, too violent or laden with issues such as peer pressure,etc., this is a very good option. The story is a little slow-moving, but it's still clever and engaging, and other than a little bit of sexism (a barnyard rooster in henpecked by his wife) this holds up remarkably well for a story written before the Great Depression. Lots of different animals make up the cast, so if you are reading it aloud, there are good opportunities for doing different voices, etc. And, if you liked this first book, there are plenty more to follow. (Joe Sixpack)

In grammar school,"FREDDY" books were my favorites. I then graduated to Sherlock Holmes. I still love both "detectives"! Lucky you! All the books are available. I used to wait impatiently for each new one!

This is book 1 of the Freddy series (note that it was not originally published with this title, and Freddy is not as much the focus as in later books). These stories of the adventures of the intelligent and sociable animals on the Bean farm are beautifully written, and have some dramatic tension but nothing over the top (no Moms are killed in these stories, unlike Disney's favorite ploy...). The stories introduce some wonderfully adult concepts (like politics, banking, running a business) with well-crafted characters that will broaden a child's understanding of what makes people tick.

In 1955 I was eight, and the eldest of three brothers. My mother couldn't go to the grocery store with all of us so she'd drop me off at the children's room at the West Hartford, CT, public library, and pick me up on the way home. It was there that I discovered Freddy, and that pig spoke my language! It was Freddy, his wonderful compatriots on the Bean farm, and their fabulous adventures, that started me out right. Freddy Goes to Florida is the first of the series, and is where I recommend starting your own adventures with Freddy the Pig. Hats off to Overlook Press for re-publishing these books in their original look.

This is an excellent novel which I greatly enjoyed. It describes, from the viewpoint of a young girl, the experiences of a family in the fight against racism in Florida in the 1950s. The most striking aspect of this is the description of living in a society whose basic assumptions are different to one's own. Most of us have experienced people making off-color/racist/sexist comments in our presence (although nowhere near as overt nor as excessive as those expressed by some of the characters in the book). It is interesting to see how this family copes and compare their reaction with one's own and imagine how one would cope in the same situation.

The book is well written and is easy to read. The characters are well defined and the story beautifully paced.

I would recommend this book to teenage as well as adult readers.

I loved this book. Ms. McCarthy writes simply and beautifully. I was raised in Central Florida and could recall some of the events mentioned in the book. What I loved the most about the book was the relationships, the use of poetry and bible scriptures. I think this book is a 'must read'.

Whether you loved, hated, or somewhat like To Kill a Mockingbird, its guaranteed you'll love this book. I had to read this book for an advanced Engish class and I dreaded reading this book, but after reading a couple of pages, my whole mind changed. If totally recommend this book to everyone, from the mature reader to the less developed reader. Great piece of literature.

Susan Carol McCarthy tells an amazing story of family, friendship and personal strength through the eyes of a young girl, Reesa, living in central Florida in the 1950's.
Two families become entwined when the KKK intimidates, stalks and randomly murders a young man, Marvin Cully, because he is black. The young man's death is a turning point for Reesa McMahon because the ugly world of racism is unveiled before her young eyes. Marvin Cully's family and Reesa's families are friends, and Marvin's death draws them even closer. Reesa's parents must make decisions to do what is right, even at the risk of endangering their own family.
The early Civil Rights movement is explored, with the founder Harry T. Moore joining the McMahon's and the Cully's in trying to expose and bring to justice those responsible for Marvin's murder. This opens the window on the KKK and more violence and terror is unleashed.
This is a story that is both beautiful and heart-wrenching. It is a story about friends, faith and families that make definitive choices to do the right thing. It is also about innocence lost when wrong and right collide, leaving moral courage stamped in fire upon a young girl's soul.
I met the author at a book event in Tampa. She spoke about the historical accuracy of her book and told of her decision to write this book based on her father's actions in that time. Also at this event was Evangeline Moore, the daughter of Harry Moore, and she told of her view of events of the time and of her parents violent murder.
This is an amazing book that is an honest and insightful view into the thoughts and lives of those in the early days of the Civil Rights Movement and a foresight of changes that were to come.

"Lay that Trumpet in Our Hands" has been compared to "To Kill a Mockingbird", and I think the comparison is warranted. With a young, spunky girl as the narrator, troubled racial events taking place, and the relationships between people at its heart, using this book to bridge to the denser classic novel will help kids make the transition. I'm planning to use it with my 8th grade students; I might question using it with younger students.

It isn't only a great book for teaching purposes, though! Pick it up and prepare to connect with the characters and become immersed in the story.

Chaplain George Castillo is my grand-uncle. I think the book is very inspirational. Until I read the book, I didn't know he did such great work in the prisons. He's an inspiration to not only the prisoners and their families, but an inspiration to us all.

George shared from the heart in this wonderful book about ministering to inmates as a chaplain. He also includes some of the politics that go with working within the system, We were so touched by his stories that we included his work in "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" and "Serving Time, Serving Others: Acts of Kindness by Inmates, Prison Staff, Victims, and Volunteers."

I would love for the author of this great work to give a talk to my local civic organization. He has profound insight into the criminal justice system, and unique, yet practical, ideas on how to make it better. This book is worthy of being Oprah's Book of the month!

My recommendation of the Rev. George Ramon Castillo's book, My Life between The Cross and the Bars, grows out of a personal acquaintance with the author for nearly forty years as well as several readings of the book. The book is very well written and allows the reader to glimpse a first hand view of the circumstances and events that led George into the Christian ministry and into the Federal Prison chaplaincy. This life service offering reveals the character and integrity of the man, as well as the broader dimension of his professional service.
Of vital importance to George's life story is his account of his early years in British Honduras, now Belize, his early immigration to the United States, and his service in the U.S. Air Force, and his U.S. citizenship (October 26, 1953). Even more important was his marriage in 1957 to Muriel Jermain Seale, who has provided the moral and spiritual support for his successful career.
One does not just become a minister and a chaplain willy-nilly. The story of his religious development and educational experience tells how this came about: the early difficult years, then college and seminary.
I became acquainted with George while he was a student at Bangor Theological Seminary. He and his family eventually joined the congregation I was servicing, the First Congregational Church in Brewer, Maine. He was ordained under my ministry there, one of the high points, actually the highest, of my own ministry. When I left in September of 1967, the church called him to become their Interim Minister. After a year or so, he went on to serve churches in Detroit, Michigan, and in Ohio, and then was accepted as chaplain by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
All of this is essential to getting the most out of George's career as a Federal Prison Chaplain. The reader will share in the documentation and correspondence that became an important part of George's work within a difficult bureaucratic system. There were also unexpected difficulties with the machinations of opportunistic prisoners as well as with prisoners whose legitimate personal problems were all but insurmountable. If you want insight into an environment and setting that cannot be portrayed in a TV or movie scenario, this is the book for you.
A Federal Prison does not exist in isolation from the rest of society. George spells out the relationship of his work to the "civilian" religious community. This is part of his task in educating the rest of us to the enormity of the problem that confronts American society. Prison populations are growing fast, and the costs are skyrocketing. The solution to this problem, if we take George's perspective seriously, is more in terms of human relationships than in purely punitive or monetary terms.
But this comes only through genuine commitment, in George's case, Christian commitment, in a life of duty and service, with an equally dedicated life companion. There is much to be learned from what otherwise might be considered as one of the darker sides of life. George in his book, and in his life, has shown us the way.

Ray Wilbur

Initially, I was leery about My Life Between the Cross and the Bars for two reasons: I'm generally not a fan of autobiographies, and I don't know anyone who has been to prison. When I was only one-fourth of the way through the book I realized that it contains volumes of material to which I can relate. I highly recommend this book to individuals from all walks of life, as it has monumentous value for everyone. The author is a genuine inspiration to all people of every race and background, and his book is a great read.

I just bought this book the other day and it is amazing. It gives you the facts you need for survival. If I get caught in a situation from the book and I don't know what to do, I will be suprized.

This great book teaches you how to survive. It has so many detailed descriptions with graphs. It is so compact that I even carry it everyday in my backpack. It might be really useful when the war starts or an earthquake takes place.

One of my friends bought the big version that had a little more information in it. I read it and when I saw that you could buy a pocket version I was thrilled! Wisemen gives an informative description of everything you need to survive almost anywhere. I'm confident that if I were in a survival situation I would be able to survive.

I've had this book for a few years now and have read it over and over again. The information is amazing. There's not a topic that Wiseman doesn't cover or at least touch on.
Not only is it small, it's tough too. It's been on every camping trip, hike, deployment and just about every other trip with me for the past three years and it's still in great shape.
Friends of mine that could have cared less about a suvival book have read mine on airplane rides and afterwards went and bought thier own.
You can't go wrong

With store shelves overloaded by "SAS" books it's unfortunate that this little, uh, Gem can be lost in that crowd. The original format was more like a coffee table book, but for practical purposes this chunky, compact edition is not only the most convenient of those available, it is also arguably the best on the market.
The manual itself is comprehensive, clearly written and with clear (if sometimes limited) illustrations, including a useful colour section; and here the colour is used for more than mere decoration as it provides essential additional information in identifying plants and animals. There is no philosophical description here, little room for the romance of the wild or the ethics of surviving. Instead, "Lofty" Wiseman's guide is a direct parcel of solid information aimed solely at keeping you alive in the worst of situations. Campers and outdoorsmen will find some interesting and useful sections here, but it requires a degree of knowledge and experience to sift them from those which simply must not be used outside of an emergency. This is a fascinating book to dip into, and doubtless most purchasers treat it as such, but it is also an exceptionally effective, reliable and well-crafted source of possibly vital information.

Book contains p[lenty of good solid info which is reliable. Print is large enough so that you dont have to stain your eyes to read so therefore it is good for older folks who love gardening and are perhaps retiring to Florida and want info for the area.

Really good information as to what will grow in Central Florida. Good map outlining the hardiness for plants. Describes native plants very well. Tells about the strange lack of rainfall in the Spring. Good for anyone living in Central Florida.

This was for my daughter, a new resident of Florida. She was very excited about the book and is looking forward to trying out many of the suggestions.

This is an excellent book to have on your book shelf. I work out in the landscape and this book is an excellent refrence book to have around. The only one thing that I would of liked to of seen is a little larger pictures with more detail, but this is not enough of a problem to drop a star rating. I am from London, England and the soil there is nothing like the soil here in Florida. I moved from there to Washington DC, the soil there is different too. So moving here was a whole new ball game...sandy soil where nutrients wont hold to well is where you need to know what will grow here and what to do, this book has it.

The book I've been looking for. Living in central Florida poses a challenge to landscaping. This book is informative, current and a major help in deciding how to do what you wanted to do with your property. It has become my guide to planning and planting for beauty and value.
I highly recommend this publication.

It's not only great fun navigating the tangled web of "what if" scenarios along with Frank, but he leaves one contemplating a myriad of other related possibilities in other aspects of life. Frank's background must have been of tremendous help, but he must also have done an enormous amount of research. Frank does a terrific job of combining sci-fi, action/adventure, and romance that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Congratulations, Frank, on your first novel, and keep 'em coming!

This novel is a winner. Mr. Frank grabs you from the beginning and holds you throughout. His narratives and timelines before each chapter help you stay in check with everything going on. I couldn't put it down and I wanted more when I finished. What if? I hope he does another.

Defler really draws you in and I read the book totally amazed at the combination of factual settings, real history, science and physics. His Air Force past shows in the cast of characters and the locations. The idea of changing past events and the consequences are enough to get you involved and wondering if all this might be possible.
A great read.

A great read, fast and furious action with a unique science fiction theme. Derfler shows his knowledge of things both military and scientific. Fun stuff and a cast of characters that manage to pull off a 9/11 coup. Without giving away the details I think I can say that the historical connections from the start of the Vietnam conflict to today's fight for freedom are the keys to the book. The twist is science fiction but could it have happened? You bet, and Derfler gets you to believe his made up science. Good stuff all around. I will await his second novel if he chooses to write one.

"A Glint In Time" grabs your imagination and haunts you with the scenario of what "9-11" and other earth-shaking events could have evolved in to. The Author makes one grateful to be an American citizen and eloquently makes one believe they are part of an exciting story, experiencing the intimacy and immediacy of one shocking situation after another. He cleverly melds air commando missions, with other top-level government organizations into a breath-taking plot which shakes the imagination of the reader. To the Author, I say "well done".

Ted G. Arthurs
Destin, Florida

I purchase this cookbook because of my ethnic race (I'm Cuban and Jamaican) and unfortunately I can not cook any type of cuban or jamaican cuisine. So, I figured this cookbook would be perfect for me. Although, I do feel they have more cuban recipes then jamaica I most say everything I have tried comes out wonderful. This is a cookbook that should be in anyone's home.

I'm just echoing the other reviews but this is truly a great cookbook. Great information! I love using local ingredients and really just enjoyed reading through this cookbook. Its a really good resource when hosting out of town guests too, gives them the local flavor.

I bought this book many years ago. Only now (2008) did I connect that this author is the same author of several of my other cookbooks. He has his own show and books that now focus strictly on Barbecue and grilling. This book is billed as New Florida cuisine so be prepared to try some new ideas and recipes related to Miami and Florida - South/ caribbbean. Several of the recipes that I have tried have been very good (cilantro corn vinagrette, tangerine tuna, turkey picadillo and Cuban turkey). Many more Latin, Cuba , Caribbean and tropical recipes to try. Also you can learn about the Floridian and food lingo, specifics about fruits and other foods, and much more.

I just bought this cookbook for a friend. My copy is well used already and is one of my favorites. I haven't made a recipe in it that we didn't just love. Some of the recipes are now standard company fare in our house, especially the whole grilled beef tenderloin with fire and spice and the black bean salad with mangos and shrimp. There's a lot of fun background information to read about the different ingredients and recipes, too. An excellent cookbook - highly recommended!

Good information about tropical fruits and vegtables. It reads like a good novel.

This story really moves! I found myself drawn into the storyline and discovered I had worked through the book in such quick speed I was disappointed it was going to end. I think the story was too short, if such a thing is possible. The history was very well described and so were the environments and encounters. Mr. Fox successfully merged fantasy and fiction to create a story of great proportions, where characters both real and imagined from history interact. If you like history, you'll love this book. there's something for everyone: love story, history, knights and actions of valor, battles, everything!
This is the sort of story where you learn things without realizing you are learning stuff, and all the while being entertained. If this is his first work, it is a fine debut!

What a crazy cat this Ronald Fox is. His book just picked me up and carried me away. I'm still flying. I enjoyed reading historical fiction that was researched. This guy didn't make things up to cover gaps in fact, it seemed to provide a crucial bridge between factual elements in the story. This book educated me (quite a feat since I am Minoring in Medieval Lit. in University). Too bad it is not a book of scholarship elsewise I would use it as a reference, and that's no lie. If you like Medieval History, you'll dig this book. Shine on, Mr. Fox.
Write on, mr. Fox, Write on!

I received this book as a gift from my boyfriend and I started reading it - Well, I haven't been able to put it down! I didn't know what to think with the title, and when Mike (my boyfriend) gave me the book and told me it was a romance set in the middle ages I figured, 'oh boy, another coming of age swashbuckler.'
It is amazing, and to think - written by a guy. It is so much more. Mr. Fox has this amazing ability to paint an image with words so real I felt I could look up from the book and see castle walls.
Thank you, Mr. Fox, for creating this wonderful tale and sharing it with the world.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but I was hooked. I enjoyed the way the author incorporated a lot of local sights and scenes, and really enjoyed the storyline as a whole. Mr. Fox has an amazing ability to transform ideas into visual images. This is an excellent story and a wonderful book. This is historical fiction at it`s best.

Ronald Fox's book "Oaken Rings" gives the reader a look at medival life from a modern view point.I was surprised at the amount of detail that the author was able to give and still create characters that you could empathize with in the story.After reading the story I had to share the book with other friends and family.All of them have been greatly impressed with the book.I can't wait to see where he takes his hero next.

Rita's book is the best guide book written to date. We found it very informative and the coupons in the back were wonderful! We used most of them. The maps were extremelty helpful! We copied them and handed them out to all our family members. We have been going to WDW twice a year for seven or eight years, and have purchased many books, this book is outstanding!

After being disappointed by other guidebooks, I finally bought Aero's book and was amazed by the wealth of planning insight. This book is nothing short of empowerment for family vacation planning. For the first time we enjoyed a vacation where we all equally loved the hotel, restaurants, and rides. This book is a vacation saver.

We thought this guide book the best of the bunch - it is well laid out and easy to read with great maps of every area in the 'World'. Best of all, buying it enables you to access Rita's great Website, which is chock full of up-to-the-minute, detailed tips and trip reports as well as updates on attractions and happenings at WDW. A great plus!!

Having been to WDW several times, and always purchasing a guidebook before leaving to get recent updates, I came upon Rita Aeros book, Walt Disney World for Adults by accident. I initially purchased the book for the coupon values and was disappointed when discovering they were no longer valid. I intended to return the book after discovering the expiration of the coupons but decided to check out the website before I did. This was the BEST decision I could have made. Not only did I keep the book and read it thoroughly, but I have discovered a wealth of information on her web site. It is truly the most informative, user friendly web site you could possibly find anywhere. I have already saved hundreds of dollars using the information I have gleaned. This book and its accompanying web site are unsurpassed for value. Rita Aero's book has done a marvelous job in breaking down all the different areas of WDW (hotels, transportation, restaurants, theme parks, etc.). with honest evaluations, in an easy to read and comprehensive style.

This is the book that has it all. Resorts, Restaurants, Parks, Attractions, Night Clubs, Sports, Kids, Family, Groups, Discounts, Charts, Ratings, Reviews, Tips, Tricks, Secrets, etc, etc.

The information in this edition is still fresher and more accurate than any 1999 guidebook, and I should know, I visit WDW at least four times per year. Other guidebooks are just repackaged every year with a new cover.

Note: I found the Animal Kingdom chapter in this edition to be a bit weak, but I found marvelous AK information on the book's website.

This is the only book to have ever included useful coupons, but they expired recently. The book's website has lots of good electronic coupons in the Readers' Clubhouse. The clubhouse has excellent information and wonderful community! I saved $768 last trip. NO other guidebook (and I have them all) can match the quality of Rita Aero's work, and no other major guidebook has a website or a supporting author. This one is a MUST HAVE!

Thanks for the magical vacations, Rita!