A visit to the cat sanctuary in Rome, 6 March 2010. The private sanctuary cares for more than 200 stray and abandoned cats among the ancient ruins at Torre Argentina. For more information or to make a contribution, visit its website at www.romancats.com.

A couple people have asked me about the story behind this picture. The truth is, there isn't much of one. I was working as a reporter at KWMU, the public radio station in St. Louis, and Kurt Vonnegut came in to appear on a program that was hosted by an old friend of his (whose name escapes me). He (K.V.) came into the newsroom and introduced himself to everybody. It was a very nice gesture. (That's my colleague Bill Raack, now KWMU's news director, in the middle.) Fortunately KWMU had a photographer on hand to capture the moment. Though as somebody pointed out to me, I should've taken my other hand out of my pocket...
Shaking hands with Kurt Vonnegut, St. Louis, circa 1997.

This is a trip my friend Neil and I made to the Mercato Esqualino in Rome, 26 February 2010. (Includes some helpful tips for shopping in Rome!)

Hello, Idaho! I will be talking about HTEA on New Horizons, a program on Boise State Radio, Friday (26 Feb.) at 5:30 PM and Sunday (28 Feb.) at 11 AM. (The interview will also be available on-line next week.) Tune in, if you can!

Thanks to the blog Middle of the Freakin Road for a very nice review of HTEA.