Christine Valada
@mcvalada.bsky.social
Photographer, recovering attorney, 4x Jeopardy champion, fabulous cook, widow of writer Len Wein.
Look what just arrived: Swamp Thing by Len Wein and Kelley Jones. Soon to be available at a comic shop near you.
September 11, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Look what just arrived: Swamp Thing by Len Wein and Kelley Jones. Soon to be available at a comic shop near you.
September 10 is hard because it is the anniversary of the death of my beloved husband, Len Wein, the writer-creator of Wolverine, Swamp Thing, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Maddrox, Lucius Fox, and The Human Target. His work lives on, and he lives on in the memories of his many friends and fans.
September 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
September 10 is hard because it is the anniversary of the death of my beloved husband, Len Wein, the writer-creator of Wolverine, Swamp Thing, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Maddrox, Lucius Fox, and The Human Target. His work lives on, and he lives on in the memories of his many friends and fans.
My sister is making a batch of the buttermilk peach ice cream right now because I bought some amazing peaches a few days ago. The island banana bread is on repeat as well. It is an award-winning book that belongs on the shelf of any serious cook. We used it for a Cook Book Book Club lunch. Big hit.
August 22, 2025 at 11:08 PM
My sister is making a batch of the buttermilk peach ice cream right now because I bought some amazing peaches a few days ago. The island banana bread is on repeat as well. It is an award-winning book that belongs on the shelf of any serious cook. We used it for a Cook Book Book Club lunch. Big hit.
On this date in 1974, Marvel Comics published Hulk #180, written by Len Wein and penciled by Herb Trimpe. The last frame introduced Wolverine/Weapon X, designed by John Romita, Sr. and Len. 15 years to the day later, I asked Len “who the hell are you, anyway?” The photo of Len is from 7/2/1989.
July 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
On this date in 1974, Marvel Comics published Hulk #180, written by Len Wein and penciled by Herb Trimpe. The last frame introduced Wolverine/Weapon X, designed by John Romita, Sr. and Len. 15 years to the day later, I asked Len “who the hell are you, anyway?” The photo of Len is from 7/2/1989.
It’s Obama Appreciation Day!
June 14, 2025 at 7:37 AM
It’s Obama Appreciation Day!
From someone who was there last night, Diantha Day Sprouse. The jackboots are on the loose.
June 11, 2025 at 11:17 PM
From someone who was there last night, Diantha Day Sprouse. The jackboots are on the loose.
I had a lovely weekend, attending the Hugh Jackman concert at the Hollywood Bowl with my friend from STARZ, Karen Bailey, who got us tickets. In return, I asked Hugh if we could drop by back stage to say hi and introduce him to Karen. Being Len Wein’s widow has its perks. Karen took the photo.
June 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I had a lovely weekend, attending the Hugh Jackman concert at the Hollywood Bowl with my friend from STARZ, Karen Bailey, who got us tickets. In return, I asked Hugh if we could drop by back stage to say hi and introduce him to Karen. Being Len Wein’s widow has its perks. Karen took the photo.
I will second your nomination for Mary Robinette Kowel’s book, and add the rest of the books in the series. My nomination is a book sure to be banned in anti-LGBTQ+ purges everywhere, Top Chef winner and host Kristen Kish’s memoir, Accidentally on Purpose.
May 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I will second your nomination for Mary Robinette Kowel’s book, and add the rest of the books in the series. My nomination is a book sure to be banned in anti-LGBTQ+ purges everywhere, Top Chef winner and host Kristen Kish’s memoir, Accidentally on Purpose.
I went to Chinatown last night for an interview & book signing by chef and Top Chef winner & host, Kristen Kish. Her new memoir is called Accidentally on Purpose. She was expertly questioned by writer Alyse Whitney at Now Serving LA bookstore. A delightful evening & I bought some other books, too.
April 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I went to Chinatown last night for an interview & book signing by chef and Top Chef winner & host, Kristen Kish. Her new memoir is called Accidentally on Purpose. She was expertly questioned by writer Alyse Whitney at Now Serving LA bookstore. A delightful evening & I bought some other books, too.
I enjoyed Thunderbolts* very much. There is an inter-credit and post-credit scene, so do stay to the very end. I sat next to Joe Quesada in what looked like the Marvel conclave. Do not ask me to explain the asterisk. I don’t do spoilers.
April 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I enjoyed Thunderbolts* very much. There is an inter-credit and post-credit scene, so do stay to the very end. I sat next to Joe Quesada in what looked like the Marvel conclave. Do not ask me to explain the asterisk. I don’t do spoilers.
What JANE CROW looks like. The SAVE ACT is intended to disenfranchise women. Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO or start spending money for your passport now.
April 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
What JANE CROW looks like. The SAVE ACT is intended to disenfranchise women. Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO or start spending money for your passport now.
My head wants to explode.
February 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My head wants to explode.
My forever Valentine.
February 14, 2025 at 8:39 PM
My forever Valentine.
Thanks to Back Issue for timely posting this page from Giant-sized X-men #1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum which is a reminder that the X-men are all about DEIA, and if you do not understand that, you were never really got them. Comics have been about & by the marginalized from the beginning.
January 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Thanks to Back Issue for timely posting this page from Giant-sized X-men #1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum which is a reminder that the X-men are all about DEIA, and if you do not understand that, you were never really got them. Comics have been about & by the marginalized from the beginning.
Here are my dogs. The one on the left is an angel. The one on the right is a terror. Logan (L) and Storm (R). They are perched on a hide-away guest bed. Storm has shredded the upholstery. I need to find someone who can reupholster. The place I used after our house fire in 2009 is long gone.
January 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Here are my dogs. The one on the left is an angel. The one on the right is a terror. Logan (L) and Storm (R). They are perched on a hide-away guest bed. Storm has shredded the upholstery. I need to find someone who can reupholster. The place I used after our house fire in 2009 is long gone.
If you happen to be near Pasadena on Sunday afternoon (1/5/2025), join us for a pay-what-you-want recording of our Go Fact Yourself Podcast at LAist/KPCC studios at 4 PM. Paula Poundstone is one of our competitors! [If you are a friend of mine & interested in being on the show, let me know.]
January 3, 2025 at 10:57 PM
If you happen to be near Pasadena on Sunday afternoon (1/5/2025), join us for a pay-what-you-want recording of our Go Fact Yourself Podcast at LAist/KPCC studios at 4 PM. Paula Poundstone is one of our competitors! [If you are a friend of mine & interested in being on the show, let me know.]
Be a light in the enveloping darkness of this country.
January 2, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Be a light in the enveloping darkness of this country.
Len Wein and I met cute in 1989 and wed cute on December 25, 1991. May all your holidays be merry and bright as my favorite Christmas.
December 25, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Len Wein and I met cute in 1989 and wed cute on December 25, 1991. May all your holidays be merry and bright as my favorite Christmas.
Cook Book Book Club met today for our annual Christmas Tea. It was the largest gathering we’ve had since before covid with 16 people. So much wonderful food. Next year is our ninth anniversary. Such a great group of women.
December 9, 2024 at 8:02 AM
Cook Book Book Club met today for our annual Christmas Tea. It was the largest gathering we’ve had since before covid with 16 people. So much wonderful food. Next year is our ninth anniversary. Such a great group of women.
Sometimes we vote on books, often they just leave it up to me. Hardest thing is a date that works, so we go with the fewest conflicts. We do the tea every year (I also do a tea for the Belmont Stakes if there’s a possible Triple Crown winner.) This was last year’s table.
December 3, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Sometimes we vote on books, often they just leave it up to me. Hardest thing is a date that works, so we go with the fewest conflicts. We do the tea every year (I also do a tea for the Belmont Stakes if there’s a possible Triple Crown winner.) This was last year’s table.
I survived another Thanksgiving. Everything hurts. More clean-up today. Grateful for family and friends who pitch in and that we live in SoCal where we can have dinner outside in November.
November 29, 2024 at 4:21 PM
I survived another Thanksgiving. Everything hurts. More clean-up today. Grateful for family and friends who pitch in and that we live in SoCal where we can have dinner outside in November.
Got up this morning to get a slow-roasted pork shoulder into the oven. It is smaller by about 4 pounds than the one in Fabio’s recipe, so I’m figuring 8 rather than 12 hours. The garlic already perfumes the house.
November 23, 2024 at 8:22 PM
Got up this morning to get a slow-roasted pork shoulder into the oven. It is smaller by about 4 pounds than the one in Fabio’s recipe, so I’m figuring 8 rather than 12 hours. The garlic already perfumes the house.
Today was experiment with cooking a turkey outside on my gas grill day. I think it was a success. This will free up space in my ovens on Thanksgiving for things like rolls and pies. And I got my gravy base made for next week.
November 20, 2024 at 6:37 AM
Today was experiment with cooking a turkey outside on my gas grill day. I think it was a success. This will free up space in my ovens on Thanksgiving for things like rolls and pies. And I got my gravy base made for next week.
One pretty perfect poached egg made in the microwave in a Pyrex cup measure. 1 minute to boil the 1/4 of water, 17 seconds to poach the egg, this one being incredibly fresh from my friend’s back yard coop. If you like poached eggs, this is a great way to make them. Your microwave time may vary.
November 19, 2024 at 8:17 PM
One pretty perfect poached egg made in the microwave in a Pyrex cup measure. 1 minute to boil the 1/4 of water, 17 seconds to poach the egg, this one being incredibly fresh from my friend’s back yard coop. If you like poached eggs, this is a great way to make them. Your microwave time may vary.