10-4 ROAD WARRIORS, THIS IS THE KING COBRA… DO YOU GOT YOUR EARS ON?  I just passed a Kojak with a kodak.  He looks like a county Mountie, but he may be a state trooper.  Keep the metal off the petal and watch for a bear in the bushes.  Roger that?  Gosh, I just love this trucker CB lingo!  One question, though…..  Who’s this guy Roger they’re always talking about?

Well, as you can see, I’ve been spending a little too much time on the road.  By the way, did you know that our Interstate system is laid out in a gridlock, I mean, grid-like fashion?  Check it out, good buddies.  The even numbered roads run east to west.  (I-10, I-20, I-30, etc.)  The odd numbered roads run north to south.  (I-55, I-75, I-95, etc.)  Our Interstate system was apparently designed by a Czech!  I once passed a “bad Czech” (on the highway) but that’s another story.

My first stop (after Nashville) was Valdosta, Georgia.  I attended a book club event, autographed a few copies of THE GRACELAND GANG and THE PIRATE PATH, and then proceeded to amuse the Southern belles that were gathered at the big house.   Naturally I managed to make a fool of myself by inquiring about “Valdosta Onions.”  (They’re actually called VIDALIA Onions!)  Nevertheless, I did not lose my “appeal” to the group… and nobody was brought to tears.  Well, except for a few tears of laughter when I did my Rhett Butler impression.

I had “Georgia on my mind” until I reached warm and sunny Florida.  The weather has been absolutely perfect.  Last night my brothers and I threw a surprise party for our mother, who just turned 88 years old.  Two of Grandma’s favorite nieces (Rachel and Rebecca) flew in from Austin, Texas, and surprised everyone with a guest appearance!  We wined and dined at the Addison Club in Delray Beach… and feasted on the most incredible seafood (think lobster) buffet in the world!  A truly wonderful evening was had by all, and thanks to my generous sister-in-law (Miss Grace) we intend to have another gourmet festival this afternoon…..  when we will be celebrating the 39th birthday of my beautiful wife, Miss Patty.  (Think great Italian food!)

While we’re on the subject of celebrations…..   My third mystery novel, DEVIL’S COVE has just landed on the best-seller table at BookPeople in Austin, Texas!  If you need a copy, come on down!  (I will be happy to provide an autograph.)   Even more exciting, is the wonderful news we just heard about Miss Kellie (the enchanting daughter of Judge Susan)   Along with her handsome hubby, John, we are celebrating the soon-to-be birth of a little baby girl!  The princess is due on September 1, 2014.  (At approximately 3:45 p.m.)  If you intend to visit, please bring your own french fries, as Miss Kellie is rather stingy with her spuds!

We have about 5 more days of Floridian fun ahead of us, and then it’s back on the book tour trail, bound for Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, and then Austin.  Whence I return, I will have a major announcement about book number four (THE SECOND MOURNING) so please stay tuned.  Until then, take care, and love to all…..

Doc Yanoff, The Sun Tan Man.