STAY OUT OF TEXAS! Actually, the phrase goes like this… ”If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” Truman said that. Who knew that Truman Capote was so concerned about the weather? Live and learn. Make that, live and burn, if you live in Texas. So here’s the deal… Yesterday it was 106 degrees, which keeps the riff raff off of the golf course, and this morning it is 75 degrees. By my calculation, that would be a 31 degree swing! (The participation is 40%) I think more folks would participate if it was cooler. Just saying.
As you can see, we are now enjoying the “Dog Days of Summer.” (The weather has been very “ruff.”) Just in case you become a contestant on a game show, I think you should know that this term applies to a 40-day period from early July to early September. There are many myths concerning the origin of the term, but in fact, it was coined in ancient Rome. ”Dog Days” refers to the rising and setting of the second brightest star besides the sun. (no, not me.) That would be Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius was one “hot dog.” During this 40 day period, the temperatures rose astronomically, so to speak, and folks began to refer to the “Dog Days” of the year.
I know what you’re thinking. Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Well, just for the record, that quote is often misattributed to Mark Twain (one of my literary idols). In fact, it was first uttered by Charles Dudley Walker, an American essayist and novelist. (Who was also a close friend of Mark Twain.) So you see, I’m not the only one who steals material from a colleague! (As I often say, “If they ain’t heard it before, it’s original!)
And speaking of original ideas and literary genius….. THE PRESLEY PLOT and MURDER ON MAIDEN LANE continue to rack up some impressive sales, and earlier this week, our blog gained two new countries! Yours truly is now a best-selling author in the Philippines and in Madagascar! (Just between you and me, Madagascar sounds like a race car organization. But hey, the place has a population of 18 million readers, I mean, people.) In any case, WELCOME TO MY BLOG!
Last Friday was an important day in the world of quality literature. I finally finished my final revisions on DEVIL’S COVE, and the manuscript was sent to the printer! We also corrected the spacing of the letters on the front cover, and now it looks marvelous, simply marvelous. I’m told that I should have the first copy in several weeks, and then shortly thereafter, it will be available on all of the major internet markets. Please feel obligated to purchase at least one copy. (My air-conditioning bill is going to be high this month!)
I shall leave you with this profound thought…. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism!
Have a safe and pleasant week….. Love to all,
Doc Yanoff
