I know what you’re thinking…  “Here we go again.  Another joke about Michael Moore’s Lazy Boy chair.”  Well, you’re wrong.  I couldn’t care less what that buffoon thinks of the movie “American Sniper.”  I know the truth.  I’ve spent countless hours, even days, in the woods hunting for snipe.  And since we’re on the subject of movies, what’s up with all this criticism of Hollywood’s lack of diversity?  Before you know it, Susan Sarandon will be starring in a remake of her most famous film, but she will call it, “Selma & Louise.”  (The role of Louise to be played by GloZell.)

Getting back to “depressing subjects,” what do you folks think about Deflate-gate?  My wife was shocked, shocked I say, to learn that the Patriots deflated their own footballs.  Now she’s wondering if the New York Yankees have been doing the same thing!  (Hey, at least she hasn’t asked about Tiger Woods!)

According to a new report, there are still five people alive today who were born in the 1800s!  (I might be wrong, but I think every one of them was re-elected last November.)

Bad news on the tax front.  Due to budget cuts, the I.R.S. is warning of long delays in getting a tax refund.  How bad have things become?  The I.R.S. is considering a merger with the DMV!  The good news is that the I.R.S. will be conducting fewer audits, so if you’ve been thinking of claiming your pets as dependents, this might be the year to do it.  (Where is that darn dog, anyway?)

Sad to report that Joe Franklin passed away last night.  Joe was 88 years old, and the long-time host of a local T.V. program in New York.  Back in the day, he was nice enough to allow a young, struggling playwright to promote his newest comedy on air.  (Me!)  He was a complete gentleman and one of the nicest people in show business.  R.I.P., sweet prince!

In closing, I have a very special treat for all of my loyal blog followers.  The front cover of my soon-to-be-released 7th mystery is now completed, and the book (RANSOM ON THE RHONE) is on its way to the publisher!  I am attaching (hopefully) a photograph of the cover, and I would love to hear your opinions.  Just so you have something to compare it to, here is the descriptive paragraph that appears on the back cover:

“The theft of a priceless Gobelin tapestry drags insurance investigator, Adam Gold, into the murky and violent world of international artnapping – and a life or death struggle with the Corsican mafia.  In an effort to retrieve the tapestry, Gold will also become embroiled in the recovery of artwork stolen by the Nazis during World War II.  A deadly confrontation will ensue, culminating in a startling and unforgettable climax.”

Well, that’s about it for this morning…   I hope you like the new book cover, and I will let you know when it becomes available for purchase.  Thanks again for your continued encouragement and support!  Have a safe and happy week…  Love to all…

Doc Yanoff