Nooo Lesslieee noooooooooooooooooooooooo :::clings asp to bosom:: ::flings self off balcony::: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Seattle just had the rainest month on record. Don’t…do…it…noo….

Okay just kidding, Seattle rocks, I hope you enjoy it but we’ll miss you.

I am very sad to see you go. Most “newspaper food folks” are hard to reach and not communicative at all. I have enjoyed your knowledge and advice.

Best wishes on your new adventure.

Shannon

I started on a response early this morning…and it looked much like what Karen wrote!! Hate to see you go but glad you’re headed home. We’ll miss you, your widsom and sense of humor. No one can fill your shoes here but I hope that whosever attempts to do so is as approachable, witty and honest. Peace and happy/safe travels to you and your family…

So very sorry to see you go, but I completely understand the pull of home. We’ll let you leave, but you owe us good restaurant recs anytime we’re in Seattle!

You will be sorely missed. Come back and visit often.

Happy for you and being able to return to Seattle - I’ve been here over 10 years and would go “home” (St. Louis) in a heartbeat if it were possible job-wise. But hey, you gave Memphis a try. I echo Nancy’s comment that your “replacement” continue a foody blog. It’s been enjoyable.

I’ve enjoyed your blog, paper articles, and contributions to the paper. You are a breath of fresh air. I will miss your BBQ adventures, your dining adventures and your blog sharing.

You got many of us to confess we eat at the Gas Station food area. You got some to confess odd habits of eating.

I think the world of Fredric. Because all the Fred’s rule the world, but that is another story. You Leslie, added a fresh look at everything.

You will be missed! Fed Ex is raising rates, so that Memphis shipment of Ribs and Q will cost you! I guess you could be like that corporate company in St Louis that sends a private plan to Lexington to pick up Scott’s BBQ.

They may hire someone to do your job, but you will be a tough one to replace. Hopefully you will have time to work with a replacement and show them the ropes.

Are you going to keep the BBQ Blog with Dave? I mean you really do know BBQ.

I will think of you every time I go to Jack’s Creek or Lexington for a BBQ.

My regret is I didn’t get to to McNairy County (Selmer) TN or Alcorn County (Corinth) MS to eat a Slug Burger, or make a version of the Britlings Cafeteria Chess Pie for you, or talk you into going to Crenshaw’s Christmas Tree Farm Restaurant for Catfish!

So enjoy the Coffee, the wines, the fusion/eclectic foods and the west coast dishes, because you are going into BBQ exile.

Well, it’s always good to go home, but you will be missed. My dad said the only other place he considered living was Seattle, so I guess it must be ok! Thanks for all the good restaurant reviews and the blog!

Mixed feelings. I understand your reasons, but really and truly, like others have posted, you have brought a fresh attitude. Fredrick is great and I love his views and observations. It has been great to have the best of both worlds. We got spoiled. You will be missed. Thanks for your openess and being like comfort food to us.

Well… phooey! I’ll miss your writing. Best of luck to you. I bet it will feel good to get back home though - there’s something special about the weather patterns, the sounds the birds make, the names of the trees, in your own land.

Congrats! It is definitely our loss. Thank you for all you did for us and Memphis-you will be missed. Doesn’t MIM need a West Coast Judge for the BBQ Contest?

Leslie,

I hate to see you go … much like everyone else here on the blog. Your entry into the Memphis market was a well timed phenomena with blog technology taking off. You really raised the entire food scene awareness around here … and yes … we are all much better off because of it.

While I hope you can remain connected virtually in some fashion with us back here, I hope they can find a worthy replacement if necessary.

With that, I propose some sort of dual blog with a Memphis and Seattle perspective. No two cities in the US represent more opposite characteristics than the two. It would be fascinating. Pork vs Salmon, the Delta Cascades … whatever … something to keep you involved and maintain the inertia we have going here in food dialogue.

If all that falls through … I hope someone on this blog thinks about spinning up some sort of food blog for the Mid-South to keep the flame burning so to speak.

Have fun back in Seattle. Coming home is always a fascinating process. You’ll see things you never saw before because of your time here in Memphis.

Of course we’ll all miss you. Go knowing you have left Memphis a better place.

M

I posted a comment Mon. but haven’t seen it. So in case you didn’t get it, I wanted to post another one. I had tears in my eyes when I read about your leaving, Leslie. My reaction was pretty close to Karen’s, except I don’t do reptiles, so I was just prepared to follow her over the side of the balcony I like Michael’s idea for a Northwest/Mid-South blog & I know everybody here would be delighted to stay in touch. I lived in the DC area as a newlywed in the early 70’s, my first time away from Memphis. I found that when I was here, DC was home, but when I was there, Memphis was home. I missed DC a lot more than I thought I would when I came back, & it took me about a yr. to get past that. So if you have that reaction when you get back to Seattle, Leslie, it’s pretty normal. Of course, as inventive a mind as you have, I’m sure you’ll try to get back this way as often as you can. I feel like I’ve made a wonderful new friend & now she’s leaving! You’ve made a place for yourself in all our hearts & you’ll be missed more than you know. We do wish you well, as long as you promise to keep in touch!

Oh, you will be missed! Witty banter! Thought provoking discussions! Yummy tips and reviews! Bringing the community together through blogging! I wouldn’t have gone online w/ CA as much were it not for your very special blog. Good luck!!