Well, the great Leonard Nimoy did just that, and now he’s been “beamed up” to a better place.  Let’s face it, ANY place is better than Los Angeles, but you get the point.  We lost another fine actor/human being adored by Baby Boomers like me.  I was a big fan of STAR TREK, even though its creator, Gene Roddenberry stole the idea of the show from me.  Well, sort of.  My series was called STAR TRUCK, and it was a show featuring a redneck freight hauler who drove an eighteen wheeler across the Interstate system.  The vehicle was piloted by a tobacco-chewing feller named Captain Kenworth.  His sidekick was called Mr. Spoke.  NBC turned me down because they said the pilot (the first show, not the driver) “ran out of gas.”  (I knew that joke would “fall flat!”)  Anyways, I kept on truckin’, so to speak, and turned to mystery novels.

I have no idea what happened to that Roddenberry guy.  (Actually, I do.  Believe it or not, his ashes were launched into Earth orbit in 1997!)  Unfortunately, the spacecraft carrying the ashes disintegrated in 2002.  After that, Mr. Roddenberry was more “down to earth.”  Well, you know what they say…   “ashes to ashes, dust to dust, the spacecraft breaks, when it turns to rust.”

So what else is new?  Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour!  (You’re supposed to turn them ahead, but why not confuse the hell out of everyone?)  My spring book tour is shaping up rather nicely.  The itinerary includes stops and stays in Atlanta, Charleston, Beaufort, Jacksonville, and Boca Raton.  In case you’re wondering, I’m traveling across the South for a reason.  My next book, A RUN FOR THE MONEY, takes place in the Low Country of South Carolina.

While I’m on the road, I will be visiting the Gullah communities located on the Sea Islands of Georgia.  (And going to the Penn Center on St. Helena Island for an historic lecture.)  The Gullah culture is quite unique (descendants of the original slaves brought to America) and I’m anxious to see if I captured the essence of the place in my book.  I’m also anxious to sink my teeth into a bowl of white shrimp and grits!

Speaking of books…..  If you’ve been patiently waiting to order a copy of my new Adam Gold mystery, RANSOM ON THE RHONE, wait no longer!  Books can now be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Kindle, Nook, and leading bookstores throughout the country.  (If you live in Austin, go to BookPeople.)  The early reviews have been marvelous and I really think you are going to enjoy this story.

Incidentally, I will be teaching a creative writing course this summer.  (At the Dell Community Center in Austin.)  If you live in or around Austin, sign up and take my class.  You might become rich and famous.  (If you buy a Lotto ticket before you come to class.)  Which reminds me, I would like to wish my Jewish followers a Happy Purim.  This is the holiday that involves a great deal of wine consumption.  (You Purim the wine for your guests.)

And since we’re on the subject of guests, I would like to welcome some new blog followers…..  my old high school buddies, Karen and Pete Kiernan, and their beautiful and talented daughter, Meagan.  I love to re-connect with friends from the past, but to be perfectly honest, it’s a lot harder than it sounds.  Most of my friends will not be eligible for parole for a few more years, so their Internet access is extremely limited!

Well, lads and lassies (hey, why are women named after dogs?) I must take my leave.  In fact, I must take a lot of leaves.  I have been given the task of raking the front yard this morning!  A fitting chore, since I am a bit of a rake myself.  Where did I leave that old bag?  Oh, she’s in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.  Well then, I’m off. (I’ve been “off” for quite some time!)  Have a safe and wonderful week, and we shall meet again next Sunday….

Love to all,

Doc Yanoff,  Bon Bon Vivant.